A Letter to My Sons

My Dear Sons,

As I sit down to write this letter to you, I feel the weight of history on my heart and mind. There are things I need you to understand, not just as facts in a book, but as part of who you are — who we are. Our people, the Jewish people, have endured unimaginable suffering for centuries. And yet, today, we stand in a moment that holds immense importance, not just for Israel but for all Jews. This is a moment where our past meets our future, and you are part of that story.

For thousands of years, our people were often powerless, scattered across the world, surviving through persecution after persecution. From the pogroms in Russia, where Jewish villages were destroyed, to the Inquisition in Spain, where Jews were forced to convert or face death, we lived as strangers in foreign lands, without the ability to defend ourselves.

The Horror of the Holocaust

But nothing compares to the darkest chapter in our history — the Holocaust. During World War II, six million of our people were murdered simply for being Jewish. Men, women, and children were rounded up, herded into cattle cars, and sent to concentration camps to die. Families were torn apart, communities were erased from existence, and the world stood silent, watching as we were slaughtered.

Your ancestors lived through that time, and though many survived, they carried the weight of those horrors with them. We were a people with no homeland, no army to defend us, no power to protect ourselves. We were victims of the worst kind of hatred.

Israel’s Rebirth: A Miracle in 1948

Then, something incredible happened. In 1948, after 2,000 years of exile, we returned home. The rebirth of Israel was more than just the founding of a nation — it was the beginning of a new chapter for the Jewish people. We were no longer powerless. We had a land to call our own, a place where we could defend ourselves, where we could build a future for our children.

Israel is the fulfillment of generations of prayers, a homeland for Jews across the world. And for the first time in modern history, we didn’t have to depend on the mercy of others. We could fight for ourselves, for our families, and for our future.

October 7, 2023: A New Horror Unfolds

But even as we’ve built a strong nation, there are still those who wish to destroy us. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and committed an atrocity that shook us all. More than 1,200 innocent Israelis were murdered in cold blood, children ripped from their parents, entire communities devastated. It was a reminder that the threats to Israel and the Jewish people are very real.

That day, I felt the helplessness of our past all over again. But unlike the Holocaust, this time, we weren’t powerless. Israel responded with strength and determination, striking back at those who sought to harm us. The difference between then and now is clear — Israel is here to protect us, to ensure that the Jewish people will never again be victims of silence and inaction.

Why This Moment Matters

Sons, I want you to understand the significance of this moment. We are living in a time when Israel stands as a powerful nation, a beacon of hope for Jews everywhere. But with that power comes responsibility. We must never forget our history. We must remember that we come from a people who endured unimaginable suffering, and that Israel’s strength today is a gift, one that was hard-earned through the blood, sweat, and tears of generations before us.

The events of October 7 remind us that the fight for our survival is ongoing. We must be vigilant, we must be strong, but we must also be compassionate. Never forget that the strength of Israel is not just in its military, but in its values — in the belief that all people deserve to live in peace and security.

“Never Again” Means More Now Than Ever

When we say “Never Again,” it’s not just a phrase. It’s a promise. A promise that we, the Jewish people, will never again be helpless. That we will never again stand by while our people are slaughtered. Israel is the embodiment of that promise. It’s a place where Jewish mothers and fathers don’t have to send their children away in desperation, hoping they might survive. It’s a place where Jewish soldiers stand side-by-side with their Muslim, Druze and Christian brothers ready to defend their homeland, where we are no longer at the mercy of others.

As of this writing, Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader who threatened to wipe Israel off the map, has reportedly been killed. And Israel’s response to those who wish us harm, whether Hamas or Hezbollah, shows the world that we will not be destroyed again. We will not disappear.

You Are Part of This Story

Sons, you are part of this history. You are part of this story of survival, resilience, and strength. Israel exists for you, for your children, and for generations to come. But you must always remember the sacrifices that brought us here. You must carry with you the knowledge that our strength today was born from centuries of suffering.

Take pride in Israel. Defend its values. Understand its importance not just for Jews, but for the world. You come from a people who have endured the worst, and yet, we have risen. And now, with Israel, we are stronger than ever.

Remember this always: “Never Again” is not just about our past. It’s about our future.

Am Yisrael Chai – The People of Israel Live.

With all my love,
Dad