A Time For Jewish Unity: Revolutionizing After Day 330

After the atrocities of October 7, 2023, President Biden described Hamas’ attack as “a campaign of pure cruelty — not just hate, but pure cruelty — against the Jewish people.” The harrowing accounts of the precious souls who were brutally taken from this earth too soon have been documented and mapped out for the world to bear witness. Yet, more than eleven months later, Jews across the globe have had to navigate spaces that gaslight their concerns and grief, minimize the gravity of the October 7th attacks and subsequent terror attacks, and justify the sadistic and barbaric acts of murder committed by Hamas. This, of course, all while facing significant rates of antisemitism in the United States, on college campuses, on social media, and across the globe. 

The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in November 2023 left us hopeful for the safe return of the remaining hostages, as did the valiant rescue efforts of the IDF that brought home additional hostages in the time since. Hope can be a powerful tool that guides us into uncharted territory during the most challenging times. Yet, it can feel as though our hope is stripped away at a moment’s notice with each notification of another death of an IDF soldier, the murder of a captive hostage, or news of another terror attack in our homeland. Nevertheless, it was hope that kept us longing for the safe return of the remaining hostages, hope that led us to hang on to each powerful word spoken by the families of the hostages over the last eleven months, and hope that left us anticipating brighter days after Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Ronen and Orna Neutra spoke at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, respectively. 

And then came Day 330.

330 days after October 7, 2023, we received the heartbreaking news that six courageous hostages—Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Z”L, Ori Danino, Z”L, Eden Yerushalmi, Z”L, Carmel Gat, Z”L, Alex Lobanov, Z”L, and Almog Sarusi, Z”L—had been executed before their bodies were located by the IDF. It was on this day, Day 330, that our hope came to a standstill. 

As the war persists, and as the pain continues, 101 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza. News of further terror attacks and IDF soldiers killed in the line of fire, coupled with the worldwide fight against antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Israel propaganda, leaves us feeling as though there is no time to grieve these beautiful souls whose lives were viciously cut short. We have each lost so much since October 7, 2023, and on Day 330, and each subsequent day, the communal sense of loss and pain has felt increasingly present. 

As difficult as it may be with the ongoing situation, it is important for us to take the time that we need to grieve those we have lost since October 7, 2023 as well as the six beautiful individuals whose tragic murders have deepened the existing void in our hearts. In doing so, allow yourself to acknowledge and identify any presently experienced emotions. Whether it be agony, rage, pain, despair, heartbreak, numbness, or a lost sense of hope, remind yourself that it is okay for us to give ourselves permission to feel whatever we may need to feel. After 330 days, these losses have profoundly personal to each and every one of us. 

Let us not forget, though, that when hope seems to wane during these times of grief and ongoing hardship, we can find hope and renewal in one another and within our community. In fact, what has set, what sets, and what will continue to set the Jewish community apart is our unity. Even in times of political and emotional rifts, the powerful words from Rabbi Hillel in Pirkei Avot, “אם אין אני לי מי לי,” ring true. If we, as a Jewish community, do not look out for one another and care for each other, then who will? So, let us not walk alone when we feel isolated in outside social circles, and let us not lose the Jewish pride and unity that has persisted among our people through the darkest of times. 

As Jon Polin courageously shared in his eulogy for his son Hersh, “May his memory be a revolution.” May the memories of Hersh, Ori, Eden, Carmel, Alex, and Almog, all be a revolution. And may we, as a community, unite and revolutionize in their honor.