What We Saw: Visiting Israel in Times of War
What We Saw: Visiting Israel in Times of War
Abi Miller reflects on a recent visit to Israel with her husband, Ryan.
Great, great sadness. Anger. Confusion. Questions. Much disagreement towards the government’s way of bringing the hostages home.
Joy. Rejoicing. Exultation. When four of the hostages, including Noa Arganami, were rescued by the IDF on our first Shabbat there.
Fear. Much fear for us as we traveled north towards the Kinneret. Fear for loved ones and friends being safe and the fear of what might happen.
Grief. Regret. Shame. As we traveled down to visit the sites hit hardest on October 7; Sderot, Kibbutz Be’eri, the Nova Music festival site, our friend and guide shared how he had driven from Haifa that morning as soon as he had heard, to fight the terrorists. But he felt much shame that this had happened at all. He was in the IDF to defend the civilians, but so many civilians had died.
Love. Family. Fellowship. Feasting. As we were invited into Chen Nissan’s aunt’s home for the huge Shavuot celebration. “These people know how to have a great party,” I thought, as we sat around the table and watched relatives sharing many smiles and much laughter.
Patriotism. Celebration. Dancing. Waving flags with strangers in front of the Central Bus Station on our arrival, Jerusalem Day, as we remember the beauty of Jerusalem and the gift of praying at the Kotel.
Hope. In the Erev Shabbat service with many of the families of the hostages, singing the Psalms and praying for the safe return of many loved ones.
In case you have not met us, my husband Ryan and I have been very involved in the Jewish Community since October 7. Something happened on that day that caused us as Christians to want to be a comforting and supportive presence to our brothers and sisters in the community who were facing ugly antisemitism directly or indirectly. As Moshe wrote in the November 2023 newsletter, the Federation is working on a three-year goal called, “bring hearts together” focused on unity in our community as we focus on our shared values. One of our greatest shared values is Am Yisrael Chai—the Jewish people live! They must live! They must be allowed to live and to thrive, and for Jewish people to thrive they must be able to live in their ancestral homeland, which is so important to their faith.
When we were in Israel, I saw all the things I mentioned earlier: Great, great sadness. Anger. Confusion. Questions. Joy. Rejoicing. Exultation. Fear. Grief. Regret. Shame. Love. Family. Fellowship. Feasting. Pride. Celebration. Dancing. Hope.
Many in Israel were surprised by how full of hope I am, and that was what I wanted. I want to help the people of Israel and the Jewish people around the world know that their HOPE is not lost. The same G-d who split the Red Sea and brought Jacob’s children out of Egypt is the same G-d who led David to give us the Tehillim, providing us language to feel ALL the complexity of ALL of this, but to end our prayers with hope. Jeremiah wrestled intensely with Hashem, but ended his wrestling with these words, “This I recall to mind and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul. ‘Therefore, I will hope in him.’” (Jeremiah 3:21-24).
This is NOT the end of the story. There is HOPE. There is ALWAYS HOPE.
Abi Miller
Community Contributor