Dr. Chaim Botwinick
As I was preparing to write this article, I tried desperately to collect and organize my thoughts as I do prior to writing articles, blogs or posts. But, this time it was a bit more difficult; very difficult.
My thoughts were scattered all over the map. To be sure, writing this article was beyond challenging on many levels. For the very first time in my professional career as an educator, I was painfully struggling with an inability to clearly and succinctly articulate my feelings, thoughts and emotions following over two years of relentless anti-Semitism, Jew-hatred and violence against our Jewish communities.
On that infamous dark morning of October 7th, acheinu bnai yisrael felt the earth tremble and shake beneath our feet. Our feelings and emotions were numb and shattered by the horrific reports and images of October 7th. It was the worst tragedy to befall Israel and our Jewish world since the Holocaust.
Never in my life would I have imagined that in the year 2023-24, the State of Israel, our dear and precious homeland, the birthplace of our ancestors would we be fighting an existential war against our enemies.
All this is being realized as we experience an explosive tsunami of violent anti-Semitic demonstrations and Jew-hatred rallies and demonstrations as they gain momentum and traction around the globe with slogans of unadulterated hatred such as “death to the Jews”, “free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea” are being chanted.
These are ugly and disgusting phrases now being fashionably chanted at anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rallies and demonstrations by ignorant individuals and groups who have absolutely no sense of history, civility or moral clarity. To be sure, these people live in their own fantasy bubble of progressive left-wing hatred and on the other side of history with disdain and racial hatred.
About a year ago, upon exiting my synagogue on Sabbath morning following, tefilla, I overheard a conversation between three elderly synagogue members.
The conversation focused on the horrific events of October 7th, the war between Israel and Hamas and the resurgence of global anti-Semitism. The conversation was heart- wrenching in light of the fact that two of the gentlemen were holocaust survivors and one of them had relatives who sadly passed away on the battlefield in Gaza.
As I slowly walked by the group, I heard one gentleman say to the other, “in light of the rapid spread of anti-Semitism in the United States, maybe now is the best time to make aliyah, before it’s too late for all of us.” The other gentleman responded, “What makes you think or believe that we are better off or even safer living in Israel?”
This kicked off a heated and animated conversation, between the three of them. Within very short order, I decided to no longer eavesdrop and proceeded on my way.
As much as I truly wanted to hear the rest of the conversation, or maybe even participate, I was running late for a Shabbat lunch with my family and needed to move on.
This brief exchange remained in my head throughout the entire Shabbat. It kept on playing over and over in my mind. The phrase “maybe it’s time” was so real and palatable. It engendered a feeling of uncertainly and insecurity. It reinforced everything I learned as a child. It reinforced the notion that Am Yisrael are on a very difficult and arduous journey, and how truly temporary our homes are while living in Galut (outside of our homeland, Israel).
In my mind, I kept hearing my teachers repeat the phrase “we are all strangers in a foreign land”. This phrase was reinforced as a child by my father z”l who would often repeat the phrase “it can happen here.”
My father z”l of blessed memory, was a senior Chaplain in the US Army, stationed in Germany during World War II. He was one of the first Americans to enter and liberate several Nazi concentration camps and was one of the first Jewish American heroes in the US Army to actually witness firsthand the horrendous atrocities of the Shoa.
This experience left a profoundly indelible impact on my father who throughout his rabbinic career fought tooth and nail against anti-Semitism in Europe and whenever or wherever it raised its ugly head in the United States.
As a ten year old child, the words “it can happen here” rang hollow in my mind. But today, it strikes a very raw and sensitive chord of unimaginable proportion, based on real facts on the ground and an unfortunate new harsh world reality. It was as if my father was haunted by a sixth sense that our future in America does not and will not guarantee safety or calm for our Jewish community and that our lives in the United States are indeed temporary or tenuous at best.
Many of my colleagues, friends and select family members posit that we should never consider making aliya out of fear or because we are “escaping or running away from the fire” of increased anti-Semitism in the diaspora. And, then there are others who feel that we should make aliya as soon as possible while we physically still can.
The overarching rational for making aliya now is based on the belief and conviction that Israel is our true Jewish homeland and therefore offers us, our families, our loved ones and acheinu a place for protection, safe refuge and an opportunity to live, breath and flourish with our own people in our own homeland. This is in addition to the beautiful commitment, mitzvah and obligation of aliya and yishuv eretz yisrael.
Yes, there are many dangers in Israel; and the country is indeed surrounded by our enemies who are committed to our complete and total annihilation. But these dangers, as challenging as they appear to be, are far less daunting then the realities which millions of Jewish women, men and children faced during the Shoa, as they were being herded away in cattle cars and exterminated in gas chambers.
As long as Israel remains strong and steadfast, we will, with HaShem’s oversight and protection, never again be led into gas chambers and crematoria like sheep going to their slaughter; nor will we ever again experience being crammed into cattle cars on a journey to what was then our final destination – Nazi death camps.
Where was the civilized free world at that time? Where was the outcry? Where was the moral clarity? And, where were the protests against genocide of our Jewish people? Better yet, where were our “friends”, neighbors and so-called supporters?
Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be found! They were deadly silent, as they are again today.
Just imagine the outcome, if the State of Israel was in existence during World War II – a Jewish State with its own powerful army, air force and an unswerving and unwavering commitment to protect and defend Jews throughout the world. A country which prides itself as the only democracy in the Middle East and a true undeniable protector and defender of Jews throughout the world.
Since then and even more recently, we have learned several harsh lessons. ….namely, that American and diaspora Jews cannot and must not rely on other countries for our security or for our protection. At the end of the day, we only have ourselves to depend upon, to trust and to protect us.
Just look at how the world turned its back on us immediately after October 7th. It was like flipping a switch with no hesitation. It is shocking, hurtful and beyond disbelief.
The level of hatred, benign neglect and consternation exhibited by governments towards Israel remains daunting. They turned a blind eye towards our Jewish state then, and continue to do so today.
When it comes to support for Israel, we always hear people talk a good game, but demonstrate very little action. Support and empathy for Israel immediately following October 7th was strong and palpable. But within very short order, following this catastrophe, it began to run thin. Very thin….especially with all of the new demands being forced on the government of Israel. Even members of our own Jewish community sadly began to criticize Israel and started to question their commitment, support and allegiance to our precious Jewish state and homeland.
This shocking phenomenon and Chillul HaShem was also experienced in the halls of government, on college campuses and universities and in select communities and Jewish-sponsored institutions.
Today, there are many members of our Jewish community who are confused, undecided, frustrated, bewildered and tormented by their inability to make a decision regarding their unwavering support for Israel or their aspirations for aliya to Israel against a backdrop of increased anti-Semitism. This is especially the case for those who have a yearning to make aliya, yet do not have the psychological mindset or resources which would help them socially in their transition. As a result, they continue to remain supportive of Israel philanthropically and politically and are very strong advocates for Israel’s well-being and welfare, but are unable to make the leap and commitment to make aliya.
Israel’s poor public relations apparatus (hasbarah) did not help matters. In fact, the country is still in desperate need of an effective public relations “reset” – a topic of grave concern and for a separate conversation.
Friends, nn the final analysis, it’s important to note that there are no right or wrong responses when it comes to making aliya.
Although I am a too young to have directly experienced the horrible ravages of the Shoa, I do have many family members who either experienced or survived the Holocaust or who perished at the hands of Nazis in Eastern Europe. I have also been blessed to meet and work closely, personally and professionally with many holocaust survivors throughout my career. They are true heroes and tzaddikim who against all odds, have committed themselves to transforming and rebuilding their lives and the lives of others into a positive and meaningful optimistic experience and reason for being.
Virtually every survivor I speak with today, and unfortunately they are becoming fewer in number, repeat their real life stories about how today’s events including the anti-Semitic fires now raging in our own back yards, are sadly reminiscent of what they and their families and communities experienced in Nazi Europe. But, they nevertheless, remain optimistic and steadfast, as they demonstrate an amazing level of resilience, inner strength, emunah and bitachon in HaShem.
For many American Jews, we continuously yearn and romanticize about our love for Eretz Yisrael. Whether it represent a familiar location for a family vacation, a visit for Yom Tovim, a family simcha, a son, daughter or grandchild learning in a seminary or yeshiva, or a relative proudly serving in the IDF, we are each connected in some way and in some fashion to Israel.
This kesher (connection) is anchored in our historical birthright, beautiful legacy and mesorah and the powerful magnetic splendor of Eretz Yisrael, as well as its centrality to our lives while living in the diaspora.
My friends, colleagues and select relatives inform me that to live, understand and truly appreciate the centrality of Eretz Yisrael, one needs to eat, drink, sleep, learn and live in the country.
Every time I daven (pray) at the Kotel, I ask myself the burning question – where do we really belong? Where do our families really belong? And, where would I feel safer, comfortable and welcome as a Jew? And finally, I ask myself the question – what is my true destiny as a Jew living in the diaspora?
Following these questions, I then ask myself the ultimate question – These feelings may be palpable and real, but are they real or convincing enough for me to consider making aliya a true reality? Are they in fact realistic and achievable?
The question of whether “they are realistic or achievable” currently plagues and haunts many of us who continuously yearn to make this ultimate move.
This question becomes even more prevalent and profound every time we hear or experience acts of Jew-hatred and anti-Semitism.
Can it be that we are just so entrenched in our diaspora comfort zones that making Aliya to Israel is just too much of a leap of faith, irrespective of increased anti-Semitism and Jew hatred throughout the world?
Bottom line, there is absolutely no escaping this harsh reality.
Friends, as we know, it is far easier for me to write this piece while sitting in the comfort (for now) of my home in the States. But, I and others must continuously ask the burning question – for how much longer do we have this freedom of choice? Could time be running out? Could this be a calm before the storm? And, when will the “window” begin to close as it did in Nazi Germany, and in the Warsaw Ghetto for millions of Jews just prior to the Shoa.
These are very daunting and perplexing questions; but in reality, only HaShem has the answers.
We must therefore engage in hishtadlut (due diligence) for ourselves and for our families, communities, and for acheinu.
With family, children and grandchildren living in the States, we ask the question….how and when to make aliya? And, if not now when?
Returning to the discussion of those three gentlemen following Shabbat tefilla…….
I can vividly recall one of them asking the question ….What makes us think or believe that it is safer in Israel than it is in the streets and neighborhoods of New York, Florida, England, France, Canada or Chicago?
One of the gentlemen responded “just look at what happened on October 7th….it can very easily happen here GD forbid.”
At the end of the day, for many of us, there is a significant gap between our deep yearning and desire to make aliya to Israel and the pragmatic realities which are preventing that move from happening.
But, as indicated, there are no right or wrong actions or responses.
Many of us living in the diaspora feel that we can contribute to Israel’s viability and strength by advocating our positions from the States. Yet, there are others who feel that the only way to truly support Israel is through actual aliya.
Putting physical safety and survival to aside, there are many who sincerely believe that we can do more for Israel from the States…..especially those of us who are approaching retirement.
Sure it would have been easier to make Aliya when our children and family were younger and more adaptable. But as we know, many of us at that time required greater assurances, a mindset and financial security in order to make this transformational life-changing decision for ourselves and for our families.
As the war against Israel continues; as we pray for the safety of our soldiers and as we continue to experience increased Jew-hatred and global anti-Semitism, let us hope and pray to HaShem that we are all granted the opportunity to make aliya at the proper and right time for ourselves and for our families.
What and when that “right time” actually is, remains totally unknown and remains to be seen and experienced.
But, when it does happen, I am certain we will GD willing feel it, experience it, know it and celebrate it.
Am Yisrael Chai.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Chaim Botwinick is a senior executive coach and an organizational consultant. He served as president and CEO of the central agency for Jewish education in Baltimore and in Miami; in addition to head of school and principal for several Jewish day schools and yeshivot. As an Influencer, he has published and lectured extensively on topics relating to education, resource development, strategic planning and leadership development. Dr. Botwinick is the co-founder of LEV Consulting Associates, and producer/host of Chinuch Horizons podcast. He is author of “Think Excellence: Harnessing Your Power to Succeed Beyond Greatness”, Brown Books, 2011
