Inches to Metric: Don’t Stop Believin’

The Wake Up Call!

We just passed the third anniversary of October 7, 2023. The date will be emblazoned upon my heart until my last breath. Israel and the civilized world was shocked/stunned by the barbaric Hamas massacre. Honoring Oct. 7 remains a painful reminder of loss but also serves as an alarm/wake up call.

On Oct. 8 we awakened to worldwide protests against Israel/US/Western democracy (organized by a vast network). Within weeks our “Poisoned Ivy” institutions caved to the Hamas/Pro Palestine movement encampments (network/money/gag orders). Rep. Elise Stefanik. 

People were quick to blame Israel/Bibi/IDF/Shin Bet (FBI equivalent) for not knowing. What about the West? I had seen Covert Cash (Clarion Project), a documentary showing vast sums of foreign funds from non allied countries pouring into our university system over 20 years. Once you know about “the web of dark money/network,” you can’t unsee it. The terrorist structure with its influence had arrived (funny/not funny Hamas PR campaign).

Instead of immediately asking who was behind the encampments and protests, typical questions by journalists, writers, podcasters, were…

• Does Hamas/sympathizers have a point?
• Does Israel deserve the cruelty?
• Was Israel’s response appropriate? 

The final question was odd. Suppose Mexico attacks our Southern US border, slaughters your family, destroys your neighborhood and the man coordinating the massacre keeps repeating he will continue slaughtering until every last citizen is driven out and destroyed. What would you do? 

Initially it was eerily unsettling. Very few people could even openly discuss the situation. There was a lot of fog. Little clarity. Were people in denial/afraid to admit the harsh truth, money corrupted our prize institutions? I wrote a series Network Above Tunnels Below outlining the massive network of funders and influencers regarding anti Western/Jewish/Israeli, and flipped “As a Jew Folk”. I heard from many.

We are in a “safeish” bubble. We know many living in the UK and Canada, who do not feel safe. Thankfully people are addressing the “dark money” network’s influence and fighting back. Melissa Brodsky writes about the corrupt editing/rewriting history on Israel/Middle East in Wikipedia.

I’m a “Boomer” 

Most people “hope” this insanity disappears. We lived through: air raid drills in school, hiding under desks fearing Russia might bomb, were taught about Hitler and Pearl Harbor, how they intertwined. Now its the alliance/friendship between Middle East jihadists and Russia over mutual hatred of Jews and US/Western ideology. Insanity never goes away, it morphs. The US lived through 9/11, for Israel Oct 7 is  9/11.

“Give Peace a Chance”

Boomers grew up listening to John Lennon’s Give Peace a Chance. We naively thought if we treated everyone fairly the bad guys would change their ways, not destroy us. Many Israelis believed John’s song until Oct 7.

 Band-Aid

After 9/11 our US Jewish institutions were contacted by FBI intelligence, recommending security at our schools and synagogues. TSA was created  heightening security at airports, screening became accepted practice at sporting events, concerts, now public schools. Is this ok?

A Stacked Deck

Spending time in Israel/Middle East ones understands a different perspective. Once an enemy senses weakness, you’re “road kill”. Jihadists (Iran and their proxies: Gaza/Hamas, Lebanon/Hezbollah, Yemen/Houthi) play by Middle Eastern/barbaric rules. The Western Diplomat plays by Western rules, (everyone negotiates fairly). Moderate Middle Eastern diplomats balance both. Its impossible to play a fair game when opposing sides play by different rules. Dan Senor with Brett McGurk on hostage negotiations.

Hope Without a Plan is Never a Solution

There is great tale about saving oneself, called “G-D Will Save Me“. A man lived near a flooding river. A car came to save him, the man said “its ok, G-D will save me”. Then a rescue boat came. The man said “its ok G-D will save me”. He climbed to his roof. A helicopter came. The man said it’s ok I’ll wait, G-D will save me”. The man drowns. Standing before G-D, he was asked why he didn’t save himself? He said, I thought you’d save me? G-D said I tried, I sent a car, a life boat and a helicopter.

G-D Sent?

I envy Israeli society.  People respond in crisis, run towards danger. Most citizens are IDF trained, have handled a gun and know how to defend themselves. They have agency, acting independently rather than waiting for the “shoe to drop”. Take the recent highjacking of a FlyDubai plane. The jihadist/co-pilot attempted to crash the plane “9/11 style” into Ben Gurion airport. Fast thinking Israelis and the pilot from India saved the plane. They are heroes!

Be Israeli, Dive in and Help! The bad dudes network is vast and well funded but so is ours!!!

We support many worthwhile organizations; by funding, joining/leading, creating, writing, debating, petition signing, voting. Here are our top: North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Israel Bonds, JNF(Jewish National Fund), JUF, Camp Ramah, Jewish Day Schools (Solomon Schechter, Rochelle Zell RZDHS, Albert Einstein Academy), The Six11 Project, Base LA, Hillel, Clarion Project, AIPAC (American Israeli PAC), EL-NET (European Leadership Network, AIPAC of Europe). Israeli organizations include; IASA, Open Dor Media, The Dinah Project, Shutaf, Shalom Hartman, Yahel and our PTSD Center Merkaz Lavi.

Anyone interested in joining Pens for Swords please reach out, (Whats App advocacy group) by invitation only. For our lawyer friends who want to use their skills/knowledge check out The Lawfare Project.

There are amazing Patriotic/Christian/Jewish alliances, Turning Point USA, CUFI (Christians United for Israel), Friends of Zion recently sent 1000 pastors to Israel. They broadcast their ceremony to 250 million viewers in 176 countries.

Fauda

I’m watching Fauda 5th season. Lior Roz and Avi Issacharoff  brilliantly depicted the extensive Hamas network in France and Oct 7 massacre, all based on true stories. If you are brave enough to watch you will experience a tiny bit of what Israelis deal with, the ongoing trauma of Oct 7. I shudder while writing this. France is burning.

The shocker? Fauda is a runaway hit throughout the Middle East. Number one in Lebanon! Perhaps Middle Eastern citizens want a better life, peace with Israel? Podcast/Dan Senor, Fauda with Lior and Avi. Spoiler alert, Dan has a cameo appearance, episode 5!

 Hope for Peace prepare for war!

Know your FRENEMY. We are in a high stakes game of life and the deck is stacked against us. We have a huge uphill battle. Our only chance to survive/thrive is by forging alliances with others who respect the US, Israel and democracy through strength.

Can a Boomer Rethink Party Affiliation/Strategy? 

I’m an independent thinker/voter. I vote both sides of the aisle, and support those valuing democracy/US/Israel, (blog from prior election) The Oxygen Mask. We have the privilege of voting in the US and Israeli elections this year. Pray for us, Israel and the US. Don’t wait for the shoe to drop. Vote to keep our bubble safe!

PS  IASA, EL-Net, Merkaz Lavi, Camp Ramah, The Six11 Project, Solomon Schechter and RZJHS, were created by members of our Northshore community.

PPS Boomers, remember dancing to Don’t Stop Believin’? I do!  I BELIEVE WE WILL BE OK, WE HAVE NO CHOICE!