This Sunday, April 7, marks 6 months since the attacks of October 7 and the devastating war in Gaza began. The horrifying, inexcusable killing of workers with World Central Kitchen this past week is simply the latest in the horrors of this war, in which countless innocent people have lost their lives, in which most of the population of Gaza is suffering from famine, and which has made Israelis no safer (quite the contrary). Even as pressure on the Netanyahu government mounts outside as well as inside of Israel, the damage seems only to deepen with each passing day. Our own government seems unwilling to take the necessary steps to actually bring about a halt to the devastation.
All of this is profoundly painful and disheartening. In the wake of World Central Kitchen and other aid organizations temporarily suspending their activities in Gaza due to the danger to their workers, I found a glimmer of inspiration in learning that the U.S.-based Rebuilding Alliance is still able to get support to Palestinians within Gaza who are feeding their communities. As it is traditional to give tzedakah as Shabbat begins, I wanted to offer this as one possible place to give in response to this past week’s events – you can learn more and donate at www.rebuildingalliance.org/.
As we mark 6 months of war, and as we mark, next week, the beginning of the month of Nisan, when the redemption from slavery in Mitzrayim began, may we soon see the promise of liberation for all those, Israeli and Palestinian, caught up in the vicious tangle of oppression and violence. May all who are hungry be fed, as soon as possible; may all held hostage come home; may all who cower while bombs fall find peace. May it be so.
