Since October 7, I have been fighting for my family

I believe in God, Torah and Israel. And I believe just as deeply in Jewish family.

Hostage Evyatar David, starved as if he were in Auschwitz and forced to dig his own grave as the Nazis did to Jews at Auschwitz, is part of my family.

As many of you focus on news reports about apparent decisions of the Israeli government, I am haunted by the images of what Hamas has done to my brother, my son, my fellow Jew.

Am I being too tribal? I’ve spent my entire career as a civil rights leader not being tribal — playing a role in social justice victories for communities of which I am not a part. I have lived my life not sacrificing universalism for particularism.

But right now my family is in trouble, with some physically tortured and all torn emotionally asunder.

Since October 7, I’ve had to care about my family members most. I’ve had to advocate for them uniquely. So long as they are in crisis, I will continue to do so — especially when most of the world outside my family won’t.

That is not selfish tribalism. You would do the same for your family members in times of crisis, and I would understand.