Judaism through deeds

This past year has been the most painful for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. It is a year we all wish could be erased. A year where not a day went by without me thinking how little it would have taken to save hundreds of lives, to prevent hundreds of hostages. A year of anger, frustration, and above all deep sadness, with an open wound – 101 hostages – that prevents us from a path to healing.

Oct. 7th falls within the Yamim Nora’im—the ‘Days of Awe’ leading up to Yom Kippur. In this sacred time of reflection, I think about my actions over the past year.

I volunteered for reserve duty, joining the efforts to find the hostages and to return security to our northern border.

I worked hard for the organization I’m proud to be a part of, Lobby 99, fighting for the public interest against the natural gas monopoly, to ensure Israel has long term energy security.

I demonstrated for the hostages, and demanding our government take responsibility for their part in the tragedy – funneling funds to Hamas while bolstering a sense of false security in the Israeli public.

I bought a home in Jerusalem and joined a local community, planting roots in the city I love.

I continued raising my daughter and son to be good people and proud Jews, with a sense of responsibility to their community and the world. I did my best to be a good husband to my amazing wife.

And (almost) every day, I called my mother.

I did not spend much time at prayer or at a synagogue. For me, prayer comes quietly at the end of the day. As I reflect, I either say to myself, ‘I did my best,’ or acknowledge, ‘I know I could have done better.’

The Jewish people and the State of Israel stand at a critical crossroads. The coming year could bring either further disaster or a rebirth—an Israel that rises from tragedy, stronger and more prosperous than ever. I believe our fate will be decided through a Judaism of deeds, rather than one of prayer or study.

This Yom Kippur I volunteered for the night shift on reserve duty.