Inspired Education

On October 7th, 2023 in Israel Hamas, a Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip, launched attacks in Israel, took people hostage, and initiated shootings. Over 1,400 people were killed during the violence and many were injured. This violence affected millions of Jews around the world and ever since then we have been experiencing great tragedy. 

In parashat Ki Tisa the Jews have just made the golden calf and are experiencing tragedy because their morals have been forgotten. They are faced with challenges and their responsibility is questioned. But they are able to move forward and even enhance their connection to Judaism. 

This is a perfect example of how my Jewish identity was strengthened in the aftermath of tragedy during the terrorist attacks that occurred in Israel on October 7, 2023. These attacks strengthened my connection to Judaism by helping me to take a stand, connecting myself to Israel, and making me proud to be Jewish. 

The attacks launched by Hamas have strengthened my Jewish identity by helping me take a stand and giving me an opportunity to do good things in the world. Our family has a “BRING THEM HOME NOW 🎗” sign in front of our house, I have raised money and donated, and I have made bracelets for Israel. 

I remember the moment I found out. I was in fifth grade, a quiet Saturday morning. I’d slept in, taking full advantage of the weekend, but as soon as I came downstairs, something felt off. The usual “good morning” from my mom never came. Instead, she sat at the kitchen table, her face serious in a way I’d never seen before.

 “Sit down,” she said. 

My heart started to pound. Anxiety crept in as I took a seat, every second feeling longer than the last. Then she told me. The weight of her words settled in painfully. My mind raced to our family in Israel. Were they safe? My chest felt tight with worry, questions swirling in my head with no answers.

Now as a 6th grader, my mornings are more typical. But while driving through my neighborhood I see signs for Israel. This makes me so proud to live in a community where people come together in times of need and work as a team to become stronger. Every year my grandparents give money to my family and all my aunts’ and uncles’ families to donate to a charity of our choice. I remember our conversation from last year when we were deciding which charity to donate to. We were sitting in our room about to have our annual discussion.

 “Which charity should we donate to?,” my mom asked.

 “Probably one for Israel,” my brother Brody suggested.

We all huddled around the computer and decided on a few organizations supporting families in Israel who were evacuated from their homes during the horrible attacks of October 7th.

I have also donated to Israel and Jewish organizations at school. There have been many fundraisers for donations to the Israeli Defence Forces, small businesses in Israel, and charities that support Jewish families in Israel. At my school we also made bracelets with phrases supporting Israel to raise money and to get people to show their pride. We ended up making many bracelets throughout the school and I made 17 of them. So, in conclusion, the events on October 7th have helped me take a stand and do whatever I can to make a difference.

The events surrounding the Gaza Strip on October 7th, 2023 have also made my connection to Israel even deeper. I now contact my family in Israel more often, have studied more about Israel, and pray for Israel everyday at school. I was never really close with my family in Israel. I had only met them once and that was it. But since the war started we have contacted them more. I have also stayed connected with the 2 Israeli campers that my family hosted this summer. I have studied Israel at Hillel Day School. I have learned about small businesses, food, shuks, religion, and landmarks in Israel. Not only have I studied them, but I also have felt more passionately and deeply about Israel. I have really enjoyed and felt connected when studying and have continued my research at home. 

Finally, I have prayed. Everyday at school we have Tefillah and before the war started I would just sit quietly, but now it is my part to pray and do whatever I can to help. I now participate frequently and always say the prayer for the state of Israel with my head of school on the announcements. I truly believe that it is my duty to pray and to help others. Especially when that opportunity is given to me. 

Lastly, October 7th has made me proud of my Judaism. I now feel compelled to show off my pride for Judaism. I hold my head high when I am walking down the street with my Jewish star necklace displayed. I embrace my religion every year at my Jewish summer camp while praying and during Havdalah services - or when I'm at school learning about Jewish history. There have been many times in Jewish history where Jews have faced hardships, but we can stay strong and hopeful.

Despite all the anti-semitism right now, Jewish communities around the world are showing off their pride and uniting to take a stand. Just like in Parashat Ki Tisa the Jews have, and will continue, to stand together - united as a strong, powerful, spirited community. In the Parahsa the Jews create the “Golden Calf” to feel secure because they don’t have a leader. They don’t face the problem head on and they try to avoid it even if that means betraying what they stand for. We can learn from that - learn not to run away from our problems and to face them. If there is anything you should take away from this memoir it is that there can be light in the darkness. Even when you are experiencing tragedy you can overcome it and look to the future. If we persevere we will grow and come out stronger. There is always hope if you make some and you get to decide what your role in this world will be.