When chaos strikes, the truth is revealed: We are all, each and every one of us, anshei chesed
ON Simchas Torah 2023, when our distant and painful history landed on our doorstep, the illusion of control shattered and a wave of emunah swept across the land, as Jews all over began to reconnect with their core identity. And then, Hashem drew me into the saga as well, allowing me to stand alongside survivors and hostage families in their darkest hours, to visit the destroyed communities, to comfort the mourners, and later, to participate in shabbatons and other events. And then came the book — not a rehashing of the news, but a story that will be etched in the gold letters of Jewish history, deepening the bonds that connect us to one another and to our Father in Heaven.
Some of the stories have since had a happy ending. Some have ended in tragedy. And some are still unfolding. It’s my privilege to continue to share them with you.
During Covid, shuls in Tel Aviv made a striking discovery: When prayers are held outdoors, attendance soars. For some people, walking into a shul can feel intimidating, but joining a service in a public square or on the street feels less formal, more inclusive — more “general-Jewish.”
Even after Covid restrictions eased, devoted Jews continued to organize outdoor Yom Kippur services in central Tel Aviv. Yom Kippur 2023 would be the fourth in a row.
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