Through My Eyes: A Jewish Father's Daily Battle with Fear and Hope
An Insight into the mind of a Jewish Father following the events of October 7th, 2023
Every morning, as I watch my young son prepare for school, I, like every parent, feel a sense of pride, love, and hope. However, since October 7th, 2023, these feelings have been overshadowed by an insidious shadow of fear and anxiety. I am a Jewish father in the United States of America. Each passing day presents a test of courage. Sending my child into a world that harbors threats and antisemitism, solely because of our faith, is a daunting reality.
It's a reality that many outside our community may find difficult to grasp or comprehend. The thought that in this day and age, in a country built on the foundations of freedom and diversity, a child, faith and community could be targeted for their religious beliefs seems unfathomable. Yet, it is a truth we live with, a specter that haunts our mornings and lingers in our thoughts, long after the school bell has rung.
On October 7th, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel but particularly Jews, this attack was the worst of its kind, it was a holiday morning, Simchat Torah, the celebration of the Torah, it was also Shabbat, the sabbath, a day of rest. On this day 1,200 Jews lost their lives for no reason then being Jewish. Over 200 were taken and held as hostages where a 134 of them remain nearly 5 months later.
This was a brutal murdering spree by a group and population lathed with Antisemitism and playing into the modern oppressors/oppressed narrative. These murderous thugs, burned families alive, raped, and mutilated women and executed children while their parents watched. It was a reminder to our generation of the pain the Jewish people experienced not even 80 years ago at the hands of the Nazi regime in Europe.
Since this day, the Jewish people abroad have faced the ugliest form of sympathy. Antisemitism and attacks on the only Jewish state in the world that was built to ensure the Jewish people never suffer a Holocaust again only to witness it happen within our own borders with extreme voices calling to “Gas the Jews” or “Destroy Israel”. These actions led to the feelings I share below.
In the quiet moments of the morning, before the day's anxieties take hold, there lies a sacred ritual that binds us, a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Even though my son is not yet three years old, with his Jewish identity still tender and burgeoning, the essence of our faith and the warmth of our traditions are ever-present in our daily lives.
Though he is too young to understand the full weight of these words, I believe in the power they carry, in the protection and guidance they offer. "May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe," I murmur, tracing the sign of our heritage softly upon his forehead, hoping to instill in him the virtues of resilience and integrity exemplified by these figures.
The drive to school is punctuated by laughter and the sharing of dreams from the night before, yet the grip on the steering wheel betrays my inner tension. I watch in the rearview mirror, memorizing the light in his eyes, the innocent excitement for what the day may hold. It's a moment of pure joy, yet it's tinged with the knowledge of the harsh reality that awaits outside the safety of our car.
Arriving at the school gates, the moment of parting is a delicate dance of reassurance and concealed fear. A hug a little too tight, a smile a bit too forced, as I encourage him to learn, to play, to grow. But as he turns and walks through those gates, a part of me walks with him, vigilant, ever watchful, hoping that the values of understanding and respect will shield him from harm.
The panic attacks come in waves, often unexpected, triggered by a news report, a phone call, or sometimes, the haunting silence of waiting. They grip me with an intensity that takes my breath away, leaving me to wrestle with the paralyzing thought of "what if?" What if today is the day my child becomes a target? What if his faith, the very essence of who we are, becomes the reason for his suffering?
Yet, in the midst of this storm of emotions, there's a glimmer of resilience, a steadfast determination that we will not be defined by fear. Our faith, rich in history and tradition, teaches us the power of hope and the strength found in community. It is this sense of belonging, this unbreakable bond that we share, that becomes our beacon of light in the darkest of times.
As a Jewish father, my greatest wish is for my child to live in a world where he can embrace his heritage without fear, where the content of his character is the only measure by which he is judged. Until that day comes, I will continue to fight against the tide of anxiety and panic, armed with love, hope, and an unwavering faith in the promise of a better tomorrow and ensuring Israel continues to exist as the only safe haven for the Jewish people for generation to come.
Since October 7th, the Jewish community has found itself navigating an increasingly turbulent sea of challenges and adversities, a period marked by a distressing surge in anti-Semitic incidents that have cast a long shadow over our lives. The echoes of history, laden with the struggles and resilience of the Jewish people, resonate deeply as we confront this rise in hostility and prejudice.
The resurgence of antisemitism is not just a series of isolated events; it is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that come with our identity, a painful echo of the trials our ancestors faced. From graffiti defacing our synagogues to the venomous spread of hate speech on social media, the manifestations of this age-old bigotry are both brazen and insidious.
Each act of hatred is a ripple that extends far beyond its immediate impact, touching the hearts and minds of our community, reigniting the fears of the past, and casting a shadow on the promise of a peaceful future. More recently, the murder of a Jewish Dentist by his Muslim patient, a Jew stabbed outside a synagogue and bomb threats to Jewish community centers and schools are all common.
This period has been particularly harrowing for families like mine, where the simple act of living out our faith and traditions feels increasingly like a defiant stand against a tide of intolerance. The reports of children being bullied in schools for their Jewish heritage, of families targeted for their faith, are gut-wrenching reminders of the world we are navigating. It is a reality that tests our resolve, that forces us to hold our loved ones a little tighter, and to find strength in the solidarity and support of our community.
Amidst this storm, the importance of education and dialogue has never been more apparent. It is through understanding and empathy that we can hope to dismantle the barriers of ignorance and fear that fuel antisemitism. Our response to this rise in hatred is not just in the actions we take to protect our own, but in the efforts, we make to reach out, to share the stories of our heritage, and to foster a culture of respect and understanding. A reality of truth and understanding history. Those today are challenged by even some of our highest education institutions only adding fuel to this fire.
The Jewish spirit, tempered by centuries of adversity, is resilient. Our history is a testament to the strength and perseverance that define us, to our capacity to rise from the ashes of despair and rebuild with hope and faith. This latest challenge is another chapter in our ongoing story, a test of our collective spirit and resolve.
As we stand at this crossroads, facing the rise of antisemitism with a sense of urgency and determination, we are reminded of the enduring power of community and faith. In the face of adversity, we draw closer, our bonds strengthened by the trials we face together. It is in this unity that we find our greatest defense, a beacon of light that guides us through the darkest times, towards a future where respect, understanding, and peace prevail.
Later this month we celebrate the holiday of Purim, a holiday that marks the Jewish people being targeted to be killed only to survive thanks to the amazing Queen Esther and Mordechai. We tell the story of the Jewish triumph and honor this period by dressing up in costumes. Like Queen Esther and many before and after, the Jewish spirit and the Jewish people will live on.
Please consider taking a stand for the Jews in your community and the State of Israel as it fights Hamas and the return of the Hostages.
beautiful message, I would just like to correct something, based on all the messaging. a Semite is someone who is a descendent of Shem (Son of Noah). based on this we have muslims, jews, christians who all Semitic. the fundamental issue here are religious s and political zionist extremist. (something i dont think you are) as a Muslim I consider Jews and Christians as family like many other muslims around the world. Your son and family are safe, together by standing together against any evil in this world we will get through this. SheElohim yevarach otha. Salaams, may God Bless you.