October 7, 2023 is a date that will be etched in our hearts and minds for generations to come. After decades of feeling relatively safe in America and, for many of us, across the world, that day shook us to our very core. It shattered the illusion that antisemitism is a relic of the past or a danger confined to distant places or darker chapters of history. We were reminded—painfully and unmistakably—that antisemitism can rear its ugly head not only in times of open hatred and persecution, but also when we believe ourselves to be secure, accepted, and protected within our communities. 

We also saw how antisemitism morphs across generations, disguising itself in new language and stereotypes; conspiracy theories, and double standards. It appears as demonization, delegitimization, and silence in the face of Jewish pain and suffering seeking to isolate, dehumanize, and erase us as a people.  In its pervasive form of the day, anti-Zionism, it justifies intimidating, bullying, physically assaulting and even murdering Jews. We are also blamed for the many evil woes of the world.  Click Here to learn more.

But perhaps more dangerous than the hatred which has been unleashed upon us from the outside are the fracturing and division among ourselves.  It is both painful and scary for our Jewish future as we watch individual Jews and entire Jewish communities of all ages turn against Eretz Yisrael.  It is particularly concerning to see young generations of Jews on our college campuses being indoctrinated to question, be ashamed of, or even hate the land of Israel. 

October 7 has been the catalyst that forces us to confront the reality of antisemitism with clarity and resolve. It calls upon us not only to mourn and remember, but to speak out, to educate, and to stand firmly against antisemitism disguised as anti-Zionism. This is why the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition is so critically important! Judaism is rooted in the land of Israel and we are called upon to stand with courage, unity, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that Jewish life both inside Israel and around the world continue to thrive openly and safely, today and for generations to come.

Sign of Hope: A double rainbow stretched across the fields of Be'eri earlier this week

THIS WEEK IN ISRAEL

See below for a listing of the humanitarian aid and support that was sent into Gaza this past week by COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories: Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip | Coordinating and facilitating humanitarian aid for Gaza)

Israel’s Knesset National Security Committee on Tuesday advanced preparations for legislation that would expand the use of the death penalty for convicted terrorists, holding a charged debate that exposed deep divisions between security officials, legal authorities, lawmakers, and bereaved families.

Israel began dismantling the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters on Ammunition Hill in northern Jerusalem on Tuesday, continuing a sweeping campaign to shut down the agency's operations following revelations of ties to Hamas.

Netanyahu accepted the invitation to join Trump’s Board of Peace. While Europe formulates a common position, Egypt announced their participation; Witkoff says Putin is expected to join; Sweden and Norway reject invitations and Italy believes that joining the board would violate its constitution. Trump may have hopes that the Board will replace the UN.

IDF forces in the Gaza Strip uncovered official Hamas documents suggesting the terror organization had undertaken extensive planning for multiple attacks on Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria in the seam line area on the border, Channel 12 News reported on Friday.

EL AL has announced plans to launch its largest ever summer schedule in 2026, with up to 55 weekly flights from the United States to Tel Aviv as part of a broader summer push. The airline plans to have 900 weekly flights worldwide as capacity increases on select long haul routes that will include the use of larger aircraft on some routes.

ISRAELI INNOVATION

In a powerful display of technological leadership, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled a groundbreaking integrated border defense system this week, showcasing the future of national security along Israel’s borders.

Israel kicked off a 3-day international conference, the “Sea the Future 2026”, on food security and aquaculture, bringing to Eilat some 400 researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry figures to discuss sustainable marine food production amid climate change and population growth.

The conference was jointly led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience.

OF INTEREST TO RABBIS

The Palestinian Authority (PA) consistently indoctrinates Palestinians to believe that Israel’s demise is inevitable and is an inherent form of justice. This message is delivered by senior PA leaders and is reinforced repeatedly across official PA media, including news programs, children’s education, political commentary, poetry, and international forums broadcast to the Palestinian public.

There’s a Supreme Court case brewing in Oklahoma on one of the most sensitive topics in American politics: the separation of church (or in this case Jewish day school) and state. The Jewish community has been thrust into the front lines by the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation 

Activists on college campuses are peddling propaganda directly from Hamas that “encourage[s] acts of violence against Jews,” a terrifying new study has found. “Protestors and activists are not merely praising the activity of terror groups; they are actively sharing their official propaganda, disseminating communiqués, videos, and other materials directly onto mainstream platforms"

Click below to watch Ghazal Mizrahi, International Singer & Vocal Coach, perform A New Day Will Rise in solidarity with the people of Iran.

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