Dear Bibi, Itamar and Bezalel
Dear Bibi, Itamar and Bezalel,
I do not know how you sleep at night.
Like most people, I have a bedtime routine. As I get ready for bed I think about my kids. Two of them are spending this Shabbat with their grandparents and the three others are spending it at Jewish overnight camp, strengthening their love and commitment to Israel. I saw their pictures on the camp website and know they are happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.
As I crawl into bed I start to think about another 120 mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers who know that their loved ones are not safe, they are not healthy they are barely surviving.
I begin to settle into my pillows and my mind immediately takes a turn. I think about Liri Albag. She was supposed to spend this summer at my children’s camp as a madricha. Liri was going to be sharing her love and passion for Israel, and now each day my children pass by her empty chair as camp waits for her to return. I think about Omer Netura, who grew up in the Long Island community where I started my career. I think of my friends who watched Omer grow, spend shabbatot in their homes and celebrate his Bar Mitzvah. I think of Keith Seigel who is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, we share a friend from my congregation. I think about Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose name is now recognized in Jewish and non-Jewish homes around the world. My cousin is colleagues with his dad. My friend a colleague with his mom. I think about them first because I feel like I know them a little bit better.
I shift again, trying to become more comfortable and in my mind’s eye, I see two little redheads Ariel and K’fir. How can I fall asleep?
And then I start thinking about names: Na’ama, Karina, Gadi, Edan, Carmel, Matan, Uriel, Agam, Shiri, Yarden… I don’t remember all of their names each night, but I lie in bed thinking about how each one is an entire world. I think about how in my many communities we do not just talk about the 120 hostages being held in Gaza, we read their names and hang up their pictures. 287 days later we recognize many of them by picture alone.
I am still not asleep. I start to think about you; Bibi, Itamar, and Bezalel. I think about when my children tell their children and grandchildren about this moment in Jewish history, you are not going to be counted amongst the heroes. You are amongst the villains. You are three men who wield extreme power yet your arrogance, your lack of compassion, and your misunderstanding of Jewish law, tradition, and morals are things keeping the hostages in Gaza right now. You are cowards. That is how you will be remembered.
I am really tired.
My mind turns next to Jon and Rachel Goldberg-Polin. Two ordinary people who have been thrust into the center of the world stage. You know Jon and Rachel. You have met with them. You have given them false hope and let them down time and time again. Last night, I watched the Hachnasat Sefer Torah they organized for the merit to bring home our hostages. I understand K’lal Yisrael differently now. When my children tell their children and grandchildren about this moment in Jewish history, Jon and Rachel will be the people they talk about first. They are the heroes in this story even as it does not yet have an ending. Jon and Rachel have redefined K’lal Yisrael, the bridges they build will stand stronger than the ones you continually tear down. Jon and Rachel remind us that from the darkest place in the darkest time, we hold an obligation to bring chesed into the world. Perhaps, if you are not too busy napping, watch the Hachnasat Sefer Torah. Maybe after watching you will be moved to act with compassion and courage?
It is now so many hours since I went upstairs to go to bed. There is one last group I think about. I think about my family and friends whose children are fighting in Gaza and the North. Are you staying up late at night finding a way to bring them home safely and quickly? I don’t think so.
I am beyond exhausted.
I hope the time comes soon when you too are finally exhausted. Perhaps only then, when you can’t sleep at night will you find the courage to do the difficult thing, the right thing, the only thing you need to do.
I woke up this morning, still tired. The first thing I did was check the camp website for pictures of my safe, happy, healthy, and thriving children. I am so blessed. It is long past time for you to wield your immense power to give Jon and Rachel, and all the families whom they represent this same blessing.