When the Jewish community in the United States learned about the Hamas attack on Israel, it mobilized quickly to provide money and support for our brethren. For most, it was all we could do to show how much we care. Dov Hikind, former member of the New York State Assembly and founder of Americans Against Anti-Semitism, did what he has always done when the Jewish State found itself under attack: He hopped on a plane and went to be there with them, to give them chizuk in person, and to bear witness for everyone in America on what was really going on there.
Hikind has had a long and distinguished career in politics. He served in the New York State Assembly for nearly four decades, representing the Brooklyn community. During his tenure, he championed numerous causes, but his dedication to combating anti-Semitism and supporting Israel has remained a core focus throughout his life. In 2019, he founded Americans Against Antisemitism, an organization committed to combating the rise of hatred against Jews in the United States.
Hikind’s recent trip to Israel, however, was unlike any he had ever experienced. He described it as “the most challenging, most difficult, most meaningful, most powerful” journey of his life. He emphasized that he has always been drawn to Israel during times of crisis, whether it be during missile attacks or the height of the Intifada, when Jews were being brutally attacked.
“For me, it’s always a question of what more I can do,” Hikind remarked, underscoring his relentless commitment to the cause.
Hikind’s firsthand experience in Israel provided him with a unique perspective on the situation. “There’s nothing like being there and seeing with your own eyes,” he said. He spent a portion of his visit at Har Herzl, a military cemetery, where he witnessed the solemn burials of 30 soldiers in a single day. He also visited areas that had borne the brunt of the conflict, and the sights he witnessed were deeply affecting.
“In Kfar Aza, walking into homes, house after house after house, you can see the fire that burned,” Hikind revealed. He described houses riddled with hundreds of bullet holes, and the horrifying accounts of atrocities committed against innocent people. “We went into houses where we had to avoid walking on the dried blood of our brothers and sisters,” he added, the pain evident in his voice.
Despite the emotional toll, Hikind expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be there and be a part of the ongoing struggle in Israel. “We have to go back,” he asserted. “Hashem is measuring everything; He’s watching us.”
Hikind also pointed out the unity he observed among the Jewish community during these challenging times. He noted the stark contrast to a period when divisions within the Jewish world were deeply pronounced. “If there was a Beis HaMikdash before this,” he reflected, “it would have been destroyed because of the way we were treating each other. Now we’re all united.”
The sacrifices made by Israeli soldiers and their families were also a poignant theme in Hikind’s conversation. He recounted a moving encounter with the elderly proprietor of a drug store whose only son served in a commando unit. He emphasized that it’s important for American Jews to understand and appreciate these sacrifices. He met a remarkable family with 26 members serving in the Israeli army, 17 of whom held officer positions. His observations in Israel included the heartening sight of soldiers with tzitzis worn openly, even by those who might not typically do so.
Hikind also addressed the significance of Torah in the Jewish community, noting that it is the foundation of the Jewish people. “There is no question that without the Torah, there is no Jewish people,” he said. He also passionately debunked the idea that Torah study alone is equivalent to defending Israel. “If I ever hear anyone say again sitting and learning Torah is the same as defending Israel, I’ll get very upset. Torah is the foundation of the Jewish people, but we have to be careful with what’s coming out of our mouths,” he declared. “Anyone who says that Torah is the same as the Jewish army, they’ve never been shot at.”
Hikind was astounded at the mobilization and support of the Jewish community. Everything from sandwiches brought to soldiers on the front lines to a $55,000 check given to his organization, Americans Against Antisemitism, which he then turned around and gave to several causes, including ZAKA Search and Rescue operations. “It cost us a lot, more than we can ever afford, the loss of 1,400 or even more lives, to bring klal Yisrael together,” he said.
Reflecting on the current state of anti-Semitism in the world, Hikind expressed his concern about the alarming rise of hatred from both the right and the left. He called for action and unity within the Jewish community and the broader society to combat this growing threat. “People want to support us more than ever,” he responded, when asked about the future of his organization. “I’m tired, not physically but mentally. Watching this all unfold and seeing how terrible it is, everywhere you look.”
The pro-Hamas rallies on college campuses and by members of Congress are especially difficult. “What’s going on in this country, to see 5,000 protesters in Bay Ridge with such enthusiasm,” Hikind asked. “It used to be in the old days we would say we have to educate people, but these are the most highly educated people, at least on paper. The more educated they are, the more dangerous they are.”
Educating those who hate Israel so ferociously seems to be a waste of time, according to Hikind. “What do you say about a Tlaib? How do you deal with someone like that who still thinks Israel bombed the hospital? How do you educate that? And this woman still continues to blame Israel?” He called on Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to take action, at the very least in the form of an ethics investigation in Congress. “Don’t tell me you’re for Israel – how do you let Tlaib get away with this?”
Dov Hikind’s journey to Israel was a profound and transformative experience. It highlighted the resilience and strength of the Jewish people in the face of adversity, and the need for a united front against the scourge of anti-Semitism. “There’s good reason to be concerned, but we need to figure out how to handle this. Jews need to arm themselves. Jews need to understand how to defend themselves. We can’t just depend on the authorities. That’s nice, and we’re grateful,” he concluded. “We have a long way to go.”
By QJL Staff
