Boldfaced lies, Beepers, and What We Must Do Now
I am writing from my heart to yours, from my home in Israel, to yours wherever you may be living and praying and hoping for peace and an end to this forever war the world is forcing upon us.
What began with Hamas and extreme jihadists is now inclusive to all forms of Jew hatred. All versions of rhetoric and lies, all expressions of violence and rage continuing to be socially acceptable. We have seen this before. We have tried to call them out and raise awareness and build a momentum of resistance to the growing issues. But our warnings were unheeded, and now we find ourselves scrambling to counter the onslaught of attacks in every realm and medium. Are we making a difference? Are you? What are the most powerful projects you have been involved in that you think others should know about? Because it feels as if nothing we do is enough to stop the siege on our rights, our humanity, our integrity.
We can all be doing more. We collect stories, share evidence, we speak out and speak up at every given opportunity. I have been consulting and advising, shaping programs and sharing activities, addressing the topics that can enhance our understanding of the historic time we are living through. Yet our work is only as good as the impact it has on you, our community, and on your appreciation of our contribution to your life.
Our ability to impact change starts with finding new opportunities and ideas, all while still navigating the painful battles and endless challenges. Sometimes, we just want to stop trying all together... It just seems so hard - too hard. Too many lies to deny with seemingly wasted breath as it falls on deaf ears, too many liars to contend with, too many platforms the lies are spreading, and too many conflicts with friends and family over divisive politics and conceptual illusions. It all just seems too much, and many have found the need to tune out, disconnect, move on with normalcy in life. Sadly, that is not a luxury we truly have while the patterns continue to repeat themselves. We do not have time.
What was confined to encampments is now open in the streets; what was once extremism is now a norm, and it is expanding. No facts, reason, transparency, or caution will dissuade those determined to erase and eliminate the Jews using the Jewish State as its vehicle for causality.
With every court of legal or public opinion determined to demonize Israel, we know that the integrity of our purpose will only sustain the assault if we ALL are in this fight together. Writing, giving, talking, signing, inviting, sharing, and caring are all what we can be doing more. SHOW YOU CARE NOW.
Each month since October 7, we have come together for virtual learning, connection and discussion. We dissected the issues that were close to all our hearts, as we navigated the realities before us. Our exploration of the facts and our grasp of their meaning were a meaningful contribution to our collective and individual coping. But in this last 11th month passing, it was too much for me to bear as more news, more tragedy, more shock, more pain infiltrated our lives. I could not, did not have the strength to, put on a public face when I, we, all felt so broken and unable to find solace after the execution of the hostages, more fallen soldiers, and the upheaval of more and more antisemitic attacks, while 99 Israelis waiting to be released from the bondage of evil captivity. And the world still does not demand the unconditional release of women, children, young men, fathers, grandfathers... And we find ourselves with a need to just sit still.
LISTEN TO COMPLETE PODCAST NOW
Every day, and each week since that fateful day of the Simchat Torah massacre, we have witnessed a world calling for the genocide of Jews and the Jewish state by using the outright lie Israel is committing a genocide by targeting the terror infrastructure in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and now in Lebanon with the genius of tactical intelligence targeting Hezbollah terrorists directly - LISTEN TO THIS POWERFUL INTERVIEW NOW.
Every effort taken to minimize casualties does not matter - nothing matters as long as the world refuses to respect Israel's just war against terror. And no one seems to care that our hostages remain lost in the caverns of the Hamas hell funded by western money and "progressive" logical antisemitic ideals that are now fostering the renewed attacks on students, teachers, and in the workplace. Every day, another attack is thwarted - in Israel and around the world - all under the guise of globalizing the intifada. And every day, we grow more worried, more wary, and weakened by the internal division among our people. But WE MUST NOT GIVE UP.
We can and will continue to find strength in our personal lives, in our homes and with friends where we are trying to find balance, calm, and peace. We can and will continue to persevere, just as in the generations before us. The power lies in each one of us, and it is our obligation to find the spark.
Among the tangible tools and resources for your personal empowerment that we have been sharing, we have increased our presence in the realm of social media activism - speaking on the daily issues and important topics that we are all dealing with. We have been interviewing some pretty amazing people who are an inspiration and deserve to have their voice heard. Elisha Baker from Columbia University, Adina Traub of @IsItKosher, and others shed light onto what more we can be doing to be a part of the fight for our freedom. Make sure to follow on Instagram, Facebook, and of course our powerful podcast series, A Jew Today, for the full episodes and insight that can inspire and empower you in your life.
CONFIRM YOUR MEMBERSHIP AS A VIRTUAL CITIZEN OF ISRAEL NOW
We look forward in the coming months to bringing you new materials for use in any setting, new recommendations and a renewed spirit as we enter into the new year. We will welcome into our Virtual Israel Forever community new direct engagement opportunities between VCI and Citizen Ambassadors of Israel who will join our conversations and help us bridge the distance and touch on the issues that unite us.
Our ability to endure the hovering threats and fears will come from our standing together in the face of these trials. We need your help to do more, so please consider making your donation to our continued work in Israel and around the world for all Jews and friends of Israel everywhere.
Thank you for being a part of our community and our mission. We hope you invite friends, share mailings and encourage others to join. We are only as good as the connections we are making with you and for you, me from my home in the Judean mountains and you in yours, with Israel in your heart even from far away.
On this special parasha Ki Tavo, on the anniversary of my bat mitzvah as we end the bar mitzvah year of Israel Forever's contributions to celebrating and strengthening your connection as the nation of Israel, we renew our covenant with the land. I wish you all a Shabbat Shalom, and may we be blessed with peace, the recovery of our hostages, and the strength to sustain our hope.
Dr. Elana Heideman, CEO
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NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERESTED LEADERS
We have some great opportunities coming up for VCI to use your voice as a representative of Israel Forever. Contact us to learn more about how you can earn a seat at the table of leadership engagement.
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Are you ready to transform your activist spirit and step into the role of an active defender of truth and Israel?
Now is the time. Now is the moment to reflect, recommit, and act.
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