4 | FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 J
N

PURELY COMMENTARY

guest column
Finding Unity in Israel
S

itting on an El Al plane waiting 
to take off, I realized that, for the 
first time on my many flights to 
Israel, I was happy to see not even one 
empty seat on the plane. Despite the 
fact that Israel is considered a war zone; 
in fact, because of it, the 
Jewish people are more 
motivated to travel to our 
beloved land than ever 
before.
I traveled to Israel to 
volunteer in patrol units 
around Jerusalem and Judea 
and Samaria and to visit 
several of the Jewish communities ZOA 
has provided with protective gear and 
equipment. 
After the Oct. 7 massacre, volunteer 
community patrol units were established 
or expanded as Israelis realized the 
pressing need to be able to defend their 
own neighborhoods from attacks. 

While visiting some of the communities 
ZOA has supported, I was humbled by 
the sheer number of volunteers who 
took it upon themselves to protect their 
neighborhoods, even late into the night. I 
watched some of these incredible citizens 
finish their patrol shift at 6 a.m. and head 
straight to work. 
I had the honor, as sad as it was, to visit 
a shivah in the city of Efrat for a fallen 
IDF hero who was killed while fighting 
in Gaza. Efrat is over the “green line” 
and is typically considered a religious 
community, yet it brought me strength to 
see Israelis from all walks of life, secular 
and religious, politically on the right and 
left, come pay their respects to our fallen 
soldier and comfort the bereaved family. 
The message I heard over and over 
during the course of my travels — from 
community members, soldiers and 
families in mourning — was a plea to 
continue, despite our differences, to find 

unity and to continue until there is a 
complete victory over Hamas. 
I returned from my trip encouraged 
and inspired by the strength of the people 
of Israel. I am confident that despite 
the hard challenges the Jewish people 
currently face, with the help of God and 
the spirit of all those who represent the 
good in the world, we will win. 

Kobi Erez is executive director of ZOA. 

Kobi Erez

..

‘The War and the Day After’

On Wednesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. 
at Bais Chabad Torah Center of 
West Bloomfield (5595 W. Maple 
Road), Kobi Erez and Rabbi Shneur 
Silberberg will present “Discovering 
Israel from on the Ground : A 
Thought-Provoking Political and 
Spiritual Analysis on the War and 
the Day After.” Israeli wine and 
refreshments will be served. RSVP to 
Kobi@mizoa.org or call (248) 672-7713.

28123 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248.553.2400
holocaustcenter.org

Our memorial will be followed by a 
dessert reception. This free event will be 
ofered in-person and online via Zoom.

Presented in partnership with Temple Shir Shalom and Wayne State University

An Enduring Legacy:
Celebrating the Life 
of Dr. Guy Stern

Sunday, March 10
11:00 AM EDT

Register at HolocaustCenter.org/Guy

