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Chaim Feder

Leave us be

In Israel, on the evening of 7 October 2024, there were two events marking 7 October 2023: a live “alternative” event organized by many of the families and organizations actively advocating the return of our captives; and a pre-recorded event organized by the State under the management of the Minister of Transport, Miri Regev.

My wife and I chose not to watch the State-produced event. During much of the ceremony, if to call it that, we were weeping. We were brought into a rarefied experience that I found quite spiritual: words, song and performance coalesced, and potential observers, consumers of “meaningful’ media sitting at home immediately became one of a vast community. At least we did. It was an extraordinary experience of great power.

And I wondered why my government insisted on making its own statement. I can’t comment on the effect of their recorded event. I can only wonder at it’s not being live, nor presented to a live audience, nor understand why it was produced at all? Why not leave this vast community to broadcast its own sensibilities?

And this poured out at first as prose, but then, with too many inferences and double meanings and alternative rhythms, as … something else.

Leave us be

You didn’t have the courage

for our people to scream and cry and pray and hope in our own way.

Did you hear?

You haven’t the courage.

Shame. Shame on you. You shame us.

If you, you, seek courage,

true and truly

look

listen

to those who stood up to speak for us to sing for us this evening,

of their

of our

loss

of their agony

of our heartbreak

of their

of our

hope.

It was a struggle,

a call, a prayer, a scream,

adding to our people’s traditions,

A moment

Forever.

Perhaps bless them, perhaps bless us,

Perhaps ask for our forgiveness,

Seek תשובה,

and finally, finally,

leave us be

in peace.

About the Author
Chaim Feder is a retired educator who specialized in global Jewish-Zionist education. He came on aliyah in 1977. Chaim is married to Irith and they live in Modi'in. The two boys, Uri and Roi, their wives and five children live in Modiin; Tal and her husband and four children live in the Yishuv Har Amasa, by Ya'ar Yatir.