January 10, 2025
While traveling to LA last week, I had something interesting happen on the second leg of my flight heading there, and also on my return. As I was seated on the Southwest plane from Denver to LA, a young woman who was on the phone and moving a couple of heavy bags looked at me to see if the seat by the window was open. I nodded and then heard her speaking Hebrew. I then said to her, “Efshar la’azor lach? Can I help you?” I think the shock on her face hearing Hebrew in that moment was one of great surprise and also great comfort. After she sat down, we proceeded to have a brief conversation in Hebrew in which I asked about her family. Being in her early 20s, she had served in the reserves during the past year, and her family had been in bomb shelters all week, seeking shelter from Houthi missiles. Our conversation surely brought a brief moment of comfort and acceptance as she continued her journey back to LA to spend more time with her sister.
On my return from LA, also on the second leg, I sat on the aisle and a rather tall young man (6’9”) asked me if the seat by the window in my exit row was open. He spoke with an accent. I soon realized that the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Men’s basketball team was traveling on our flight. The tall man turned to me and asked me about my necklace (as many of you know, I have been wearing a dog tag that says “Bring them Home” with a yellow ribbon for the hostages). The necklace was turned around, so I showed it to him. A look of comfort and connection appeared on his face. This basketball player was Israeli, from Hod Hasharon. We also spoke briefly in Hebrew. He told me he had just arrived to start his season and had been in the shelters last week. His name is Yonatan Levy. We chatted about him missing kosher food, especially schnitzel.
As I think about these two coincidental encounters, I am left to wonder how welcomed these two young people must have felt. They have lived in a country filled with war, and now, outside their homeland may not know who or what they could encounter as anti-Israel sentiments can bubble up at any moment.
Contrast these encounters with news out of Brazil last week when a young Israeli who had spent much time on active military duty as a reservist, had been investigated by the Brazilian government after the Hind Rajab Foundation sought to prosecute him for war crimes. This Pro-Palestinian NGO tracks Israeli movement around the world and then has sought to prosecute young Israelis for defending their country. Ultimately, with herculean efforts by the Israeli consulate, this young Israeli was freed and returned to Israel safely. In response, one can begin to question where in the world is it safe for young Israelis to travel?
Israel’s Declaration of Independence states, “The catastrophe which recently befell the Jewish people – the massacre of millions of Jews in Europe – was another clear demonstration of the urgency of solving the problem of its homelessness by re-establishing in Eretz-Israel the Jewish State, which would open the gates of the homeland wide to every Jew and confer upon the Jewish people the status of a fully privileged member of the comity of nations.”
This reflects the desire for Israel to be accepted just as any other member nation would be. And yet, over the years, there have been more resolutions condemning Israel by the United Nations than any other nation. How can Israelis be accepted anywhere if young soldiers, who travel the world after their service, have charges brought against them by foreign governments. After the antisemitic attacks in Amsterdam following the soccer match, we wondered the same question. Sadly, we don’t have any answers right now. Perhaps, then, it is part of our responsibility to ensure that Israelis, who live and work right here in our own backyard – Columbus, OH – are welcomed as part of the Jewish community and they know they have our support. It may also be necessary for us to continue efforts to ensure Israel and Israelis are safe and welcomed wherever they travel.
The journey ahead may be long, but as part of the Jewish people, we know kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh, all Israel is responsible for one another.
The above message was written prior to when the fires began to range in Los Angeles this week. Many of us have family or friends who live in the greater Los Angeles area and have been impacted by the fires, have been evacuated, or lost their homes. As you know, I spent nine years living in Los Angeles and have many friends who live there and also many friends who are rabbis there. My heart goes out to the entire Los Angeles community. My hope is for the safety of everyone, and for those who have lost their homes to have the strength to move forward, rebuild, and may we all have the strength to support them. We also are deeply saddened by the destruction of Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center which burned in Eaton fire. The status of two synagogues in the Palisades was unknown at the time of this writing.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Rick Kellner