Coping

My cousin in America asked an anguished question following the Washington DC murders last week. Where is the outrage? I immediately remembered what I wrote eleven years ago in reaction to the brutal murders of the Fogel family. While we in Israel were numb with shock and grief, much of the world ignored our pain. Friends in America emailed me that they had found the story on the third or back page of their papers. Of course, the earthquake in Japan was much bigger news and the death of 25,000 cannot compare to the murder of five. But no one was celebrating the deaths of those 25,000. And the Arabs were celebrating the murders of Rut, Udi, and their three children. Growing up in the aftermath of World War Two, I had blithely thought antisemitism had disappeared from the world. When my neighbor, Raquela Druck was murdered in an Arab terror attack 34 years ago my world turned upside down. Since October 7th, I understand many American Jews are just as traumatized as I was then. It seems to me the difference is that I know who hates me and in America lots of so-called friends became enemies overnight. How can we handle so much hatred? The only way I can cope is knowing life is on two planes: this world and the world to come. I don’t want my sons – or anyone’s children- in Gaza fighting for our very survival. I don’t like worrying that our loved ones might be shot to death traveling the roads like Tze’ela Gez was when she was on her way to the delivery room. It pains me that my grandchildren and others have to run for shelter every time the Houthis fire rockets at us. Still, I believe that everything G-d does is good so eventually we will understand all the evil has truly been for our benefit. I pray that day will come immediately. May we hear good news. Please!!!