It’s been difficult. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you: the constant worry, the multiple fronts, the fear of opening the news and finding photos of the beautiful smiling faces of soldiers killed in battle, the hostages, the wounded, the skyrocketing incidence of anti-Semitism all over the world, the legitimization of calling for the genocide of the Jewish People. This is no joy ride. But we are not alone. You are with us. We feel it.
It’s been publicized that since the outbreak of the war, American Jewry has raised more than a billion dollars in donations for Israel. While that’s an astronomical amount of money, I’m not surprised.
My friends call me and ask what they can do. How can they help? They are itching to send money along with anything else that is needed. All they need are instructions on how and where to send it. But it’s not just my friends. It seems that a high percentage of American Jews have a deep desire to play a role in our war effort. It almost feels like we are helping you by allowing you to help us.
Several weeks ago, my son and his unit crossed back into Israel from Gaza to bring their armored vehicle in for repair. While they stood near the border, my son spotted a group of people who looked American. As he and his fellow soldiers approached the group, they noticed a collection of duffel bags near them. We hear so much about the enormous number of duffel bags filling the cargo hold on private and commercial planes, carrying supplies donated by American Jews. I imagine that duffel bag suppliers must be out of stock these days. The group, on a mission from New Jersey, was only too happy to hand out Leatherman knives, headlamps, gloves, thermal clothing, and granola bars to my son and his comrades. The chayalim were grateful for the items they were given and touched by the support and encouragement they received from the mission. The chayalim recorded a thank you video, in which they spoke about how we are one nation with one heart. So it seems.
Two weeks ago, my daughter-in-law was presented with a Chanukah gift for her and a game for my grandson from the community in Cleveland. The thoughtfully worded note that accompanied the gift gave her a beautiful brachah associated with the light of Chanukah and expressed appreciation not only to my son, who is defending our land and our nation, but also to my daughter-in-law, who is supporting the war effort behind the scenes. I’ve read and reread the note from her “brothers and sisters” in Cleveland, and I am touched every time.
During the week before Chanukah, I attended an event geared toward mothers and wives of chayalim, and women evacuated from their homes (I go to many such events lately). As Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner of the White Shul in Far Rockaway shared the moving story of her special-needs son, her deep connection and love for Israel came shining through.
A big basket filled with beautifully wrapped Star of David necklaces stood prominently on the buffet. Our “sisters” in the White Shul bought and sent them to be distributed to all the women at the event. Honestly, I haven’t worn much in the way of jewelry since the outbreak of the war. I’m just not in the mood. But I do wear that necklace on occasion. When I place it around my neck, I feel a big hug from across the ocean.
Racheli Moskovitz, an Israeli writer, uses a different metaphor for the hug I’m describing that I want to share with you. The Torah describes the k’sones pasim, the coat of many colors that Yaakov Avinu made for Yosef that caused his brothers to feel jealousy towards him. Not only did they not look after their brother, but they threw him into a pit and sold him. She connects this story to when her son returned home from the front. His knapsack was full of items she had not packed for him when he had left home. She found a scarf knitted by an elderly woman, tzitzis from Yerushalayim, a fleece jacket from a high-tech company, and much more. She writes that she laid out all the garments and made a new k’sones pasim. She concludes by stating, “You see, Yosef, your brothers were there for you.” With all the support you provide, both financial and emotional, you, our brothers and sisters, have created a k’sones pasim. You are there for us and taking care of us. Thank you!
We look forward to joining together with you in celebration when we have defeated our enemies and our hostages have returned home. B’ezras Hashem, it should be soon.
Please continue to daven for the recovery of the sick, the release of the rest of the hostages, and the success and safe return of all the chayalim and security personnel.
Suzie Steinberg, (nee Schapiro), CSW, is a native of Kew Gardens Hills and resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh who publishes articles regularly in various newspapers and magazines about life in general, and about life in Israel in particular. Her recently published children’s book titled Hashem is Always With Me can be purchased in local Judaica stores as well as online. Suzie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and would love to hear from you.
