Shalom friends,
No matter how we may weep when confronted with the photographs, films, statistics and testimonies of the survivors, for those of us who live outside of Israel, most of us remain safe from the consequences of the October 7 massacre and aftermath.
I share with you, a message from a friend in Israel:
Message from a Friend in Israel…
“The Passover festival of Redemption is this week, and like every year, ‘Passover is in the air’. There’s a pre-festival atmosphere that pervades the media, shopping centres, and life in general.
But as we go about our preparations or even carry on with our daily routines, yellow flags and posters of the hostages in the streets catch your eye, and anxiety, stress and sadness weigh upon us.
For me, enjoying a Spring day outside, a moment of well-being is always followed by, “but the hostages…”.
Most of them haven’t seen the light of day for 553 days, and it’s heart-wrenching.
So, should we stop everything, and if so, what should we be doing instead?
Our demonstrations, marches and prayer-assemblies may or may not have contributed to the previous deals, but we know for certain how important they are to ensure that the hostages stay in the public awareness, and how important they are to hostages’ families. They need to know we are behind them, feeling for them and with them. And as we now hear from released hostages, some heard Israeli radio (whilst in captivity) and the knowledge that the public is fighting for their release, sustained their hope.
The survivors are an inspiration to all of us. They all suffer from serious health issues, but instead of taking care of themselves they’re out there – in Israel and abroad, working for the release of those left behind…
Unfortunately, (an understatement), it looks like this Seder night we will again be leaving an empty chair for all those missing from our collective table.
May this Passover bring redemption to the hostages and all who await it!”
– Chaviv
Although we are geographically distant from Israel, we can still comfort hearts: we can stand up and publicly declare our solidarity with the people of the Promised, Sovereign and Eternal Nation of Israel.
On Pesach we proclaim that, ‘In every generation they rise up to annihilate us, but God saves us from their hands.’
Like a hand arising from under the rubble of human degradation and destruction, clutching at freedom and hope, the Jews shall survive!
Sunday, we shall unite for the 78th ‘Israel Solidarity’ rally to bring awareness of the October 7 massacre, its aftermath and the precious souls held hostage, for 553 days, in the underground terror tunnels of Gaza, enduring torture and starvation.
We shall neither hesitate nor capitulate from our moral duty to stand up and speak out!
AM YISRAEL CHAI!
Bobby Meyer