Michael Balaban's Update on the War in Israel

- Michael Balaban
President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

Looking back on 2023, Israel’s 75th year of statehood, I am filled with mixed emotions. It is hard to remember that only eight short months ago, we were celebrating Yom Haatzmaut – Israel Independence Day – with thousands of our community members through mitzvot, Shabbat gatherings, a food festival with Michael Solomonov, a four-track mission to Israel, and so much more. 

Now, eight months later – our community has again shown up in the thousands. And while we have come together not in joy, but in sorrow and outrage – what has not changed, is the Jewish pride we all collectively share.

As we move into 2024, our Jewish pride will not waver.

With the war continuing – Hamas rejected a temporary week-long ceasefire in exchange for hostages – let us not forget that what happens in Israel can be felt right here at home.

As we continue to experience unprecedented levels of antisemitism, including hundreds of false bomb threats to our synagogues last week – a dozen of which were targeting Greater Philadelphia synagogues – it is vital that we do not forget and that we record our experiences.

You can do this by reporting antisemitic incidents at jewishphilly.org/report, combating disinformation and hate speech online, and advocating for Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. 

I would also like to invite you to complete this antisemitism survey by January 3 that our Jewish Community Relations Council is conducting in coordination with Gratz College. Our objective is to identify sentiments and experiences as well as resources that community members may need or want in the future or are currently relying on for support.

In observance of the holidays next week, we will be taking a hiatus from this weekly communication until 2024.

I wish you all a happy holidays. I hope it is a time of respite to connect with loved ones and reflect on our ability to contribute to creating a safer world. May we all close this year with the remaining hostages in our hearts, the knowledge that each of us has the power to effect change, and the resolve to enter the new year ready to do so.

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