A Shared Destiny and Mutual Responsibility
The antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach underscores a painful truth that was revealed in full force on October 7: the attack that began at Israel’s borders was, in fact, directed at the Jewish people as a whole. This reality obliges us, as a nation and as a society, to internalize our moral and national responsibility toward our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora – not only to be supported by them, but also to support them, stand by their side, strengthen them, and act on their behalf when they need us.
In recent days, our hearts have been with Jewish communities in the Diaspora, and especially with the community in Sydney, Australia. The difficult images of those murdered and wounded, alongside the deep sense of shaken security, are not distant events. For us at Keren Hayesod, Australia has never been “just another community,” but a close, warm, committed, and active partner in supporting the State of Israel and its citizens.
Since the days of the sages of the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds, a clear hierarchy has been embedded in Jewish consciousness between the status of the Land of Israel and that of the Diaspora. With the establishment of the State of Israel, this hierarchy only grew stronger. This was natural: the Zionist project, which in its early years faced economic hardship and existential security challenges, saw itself as the central pioneer of the Jewish people, and viewed the role of the Diaspora as one of supporting the young state. David Ben-Gurion articulated this in Israel’s Declaration of Independence when he called upon the Jewish people in the Diaspora “to rally around the Yishuv in immigration and nation-building, and to stand by it in the great struggle for the fulfillment of the generations’ dream of the redemption of Israel.” In other words: Israel’s role was to be supported – not to support.
However, after October 7, this hierarchy is no longer relevant. It is no longer possible to claim a fundamental divide between the fate of Jews in the Diaspora and the fate of the Jewish state. The two are inextricably linked. The murderous terror attack of Simchat Torah breached the borders of the state and exposed its ugly face even in countries that, until recently, were considered symbols of safety and prosperity for Jewish life. In the United States, where I grew up, the sense of security has also been shaken. Antisemitism has surged, and in many places the traditional allies of Jewish communities did not stand by their side. Thus, a single, painful, and unsettling axis was formed – connecting those murdered at a music festival in Israel with those murdered at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney.
Jewish communities in the Diaspora, including the community in Australia, have stood alongside the State of Israel and Israeli society for many years. Since October 7, this has been especially evident – through donations, volunteering, public advocacy, and sustained presence. The Jewish community in Australia has played a significant role in the hundreds of millions of dollars raised by Keren Hayesod for Israeli society since the outbreak of the war. This is not a one-time response, but a long-term partnership spanning more than 105 years.
At the same time, it is important to speak honestly: over the past two years, Jewish communities in the Diaspora have not been operating from a position of comfort. Many are themselves coping with increased threats, heightened security needs, and social and political pressures. Their support for Israel exists alongside very real challenges on the ground. Precisely for this reason, mutual responsibility cannot be one-sided.
The resilience of Jewish communities in the Diaspora affects Israel, just as developments in Israel directly impact Jewish communities around the world. This understanding requires two-way investment and shared responsibility. Our responsibility today is clear: we must be involved, deeply understand the needs, and actively support the strengthening of Jewish communities in the Diaspora – emotionally, socially, and in certain cases also through expertise and resources, such as in the area of community security.
From my experience over seven years as World Chairman of Keren Hayesod, strengthening fundraising efforts and deepening the investment of the State of Israel and Israeli society in Jewish communities abroad does not reduce the Diaspora’s contribution or commitment to Israel. On the contrary – it strengthens and amplifies it, and brings additional circles of people to support Israel out of a sense of shared responsibility.
This is not merely a financial issue, but a matter of national priority, requiring the mobilization of emissaries and organizations to work together, without hesitation, toward this goal.
Jewish communities in the Diaspora now expect a different kind of relationship from us – one that is more mutual and committed. One in which Israel is more attentive to their needs, and above all, strengthens its role as a source of pride and an anchor of Jewish identity that empowers Jewish life in the Diaspora rather than weakens it. This is no longer just a moral statement; it is a vital component in securing the future of the Jewish people and the Jewish state alike – and we must act without delay.
