--- title: Michael Balaban's Update on the War in Israel description: I know I’m not alone when I say I cannot stop thinking about the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim last week. image: https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/facebook-event-cover-1920x1080%20(2)-1.jpg --- [![Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/JewishFederation_May2019/images/logo--color.svg)](https://jewishphilly.org/) - [Philly Stands With Israel](https://go.jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel) - - [Donate to Philly Stands with Israel Fund](https://donate.jewishphilly.org/page/66252/donate/1) - [Community Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/) - [Emergency Allocations](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-emergency-response-fund/emergency-allocations/) - - [Advocate](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/advocate/) - [Israel in the News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-in-the-news) - [Sign up for Israel Emergency Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-emergency-emails) - [Who We Are](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/) - - [About](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/about/) - [History](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/history/) - [Our Impact](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/our-impact/) - [Financials](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/financials/) - [Program Evaluation](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/program-evaluation/) - - [Leadership & Governance](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/leadership/) - [Ethics and Organizational Oversight](https://jewishphilly.org/ethics-and-organizational-oversight/) - [Careers](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/contact-us/) - [Sign Up for Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/jewish-federation-email-sign-up) - [Ways to Give](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/) - - [Donate Now](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) - [Give Monthly](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/give-monthly/) - [Donate a Vehicle](https://jewishphilly.careasy.org/HOME.html) - [Jewish Community Foundation](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/Jewish%20Community%20Foundation) - [Life & Legacy Program](https://jewishphilly.org/life-and-legacy/) - - [Philanthropic Donor Advised Funds](https://jewishphilly.giftplans.org/index.php?cID=247) - [Tribute E-Cards](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/tribute-cards/) - [Giving Societies](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/giving-societies/) - [EITC](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/eitc/) - - Your gift matters. - Your donation to the Jewish Federation has a big impact, rippling through our community and around the world, providing resources to meet urgent needs today and build a bright future. - [Get Involved](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/) - - [Events Calendar](https://jewishphilly.org/events-calendar) - [Signature Events](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/signature-events/) - [Affinity Groups](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/affinity-groups/) - [Volunteer](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/volunteer/) - - [Neighborhood (Kehillot) Programming](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/neighborhood-programming/) - [Mission Trips](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/missions/) - [Jewish Professionals Organization (JPRO)](https://jewishphilly.org/jpro/) - [Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/) - - [Supporting Ukraine](https://go.jewishphilly.org/supporting-ukraine) - [COVID-19 Relief](https://go.jewishphilly.org/combatting-covid-19) - [Population Study](https://jewishphilly.org/communityportrait/) - [Mitzvah Food Program](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/mitzvah-food-program/) - [Teen Programs](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/teen-programs/) - [Jewish Camping](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/jewish-camping/) - - [Scholarships](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/scholarships/) - [Jewish Community Relations Council](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/public-affairs/) - [Israel Engagement](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/israel-engagement/) - [Holocaust Education](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/holocaust-programming/) - [Apply for Grants](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/apply-for-grants/) - [Security](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/security/) - [News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/news) - [Philly Stands With Israel](https://go.jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel) - - [Donate to Philly Stands with Israel Fund](https://donate.jewishphilly.org/page/66252/donate/1) - [Community Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/) - [Emergency Allocations](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-emergency-response-fund/emergency-allocations/) - - [Advocate](https://jewishphilly.org/philly-stands-with-israel-resources/advocate/) - [Israel in the News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-in-the-news) - [Sign up for Israel Emergency Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-emergency-emails) - [Who We Are](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/) - - [About](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/about/) - [History](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/history/) - [Our Impact](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/our-impact/) - [Financials](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/financials/) - [Program Evaluation](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/program-evaluation/) - - [Leadership & Governance](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/leadership/) - [Ethics and Organizational Oversight](https://jewishphilly.org/ethics-and-organizational-oversight/) - [Careers](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/contact-us/) - [Sign Up for Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/jewish-federation-email-sign-up) - [Ways to Give](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/) - - [Donate Now](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) - [Give Monthly](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/give-monthly/) - [Donate a Vehicle](https://jewishphilly.careasy.org/HOME.html) - [Jewish Community Foundation](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/Jewish%20Community%20Foundation) - [Life & Legacy Program](https://jewishphilly.org/life-and-legacy/) - - [Philanthropic Donor Advised Funds](https://jewishphilly.giftplans.org/index.php?cID=247) - [Tribute E-Cards](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/tribute-cards/) - [Giving Societies](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/giving-societies/) - [EITC](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/eitc/) - - Your gift matters. - Your donation to the Jewish Federation has a big impact, rippling through our community and around the world, providing resources to meet urgent needs today and build a bright future. - [Get Involved](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/) - - [Events Calendar](https://jewishphilly.org/events-calendar) - [Signature Events](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/signature-events/) - [Affinity Groups](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/affinity-groups/) - [Volunteer](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/volunteer/) - - [Neighborhood (Kehillot) Programming](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/neighborhood-programming/) - [Mission Trips](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/missions/) - [Jewish Professionals Organization (JPRO)](https://jewishphilly.org/jpro/) - [Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/) - - [Supporting Ukraine](https://go.jewishphilly.org/supporting-ukraine) - [COVID-19 Relief](https://go.jewishphilly.org/combatting-covid-19) - [Population Study](https://jewishphilly.org/communityportrait/) - [Mitzvah Food Program](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/mitzvah-food-program/) - [Teen Programs](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/teen-programs/) - [Jewish Camping](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/jewish-camping/) - - [Scholarships](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/scholarships/) - [Jewish Community Relations Council](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/public-affairs/) - [Israel Engagement](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/israel-engagement/) - [Holocaust Education](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/holocaust-programming/) - [Apply for Grants](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/apply-for-grants/) - [Security](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/security/) - [News](https://go.jewishphilly.org/news) [Donate](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) [Donate](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) [Newsletter](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/newsletter/) [Login](https://jewishphilly.org/login/) [Board Login](https://jewishphilly.org/board-login/) Search Search the site: Search the site: [Newsletter](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/newsletter/) [Login](https://jewishphilly.org/login/) [Board Login](https://jewishphilly.org/board-login/) Search ## Jewish Philly Blog ![Michael Balaban's Update on the War in Israel](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hubfs/facebook-event-cover-1920x1080%20(2)-1.jpg) ## May 30, 2025 # Michael Balaban's Update on the War in Israel - Michael Balaban Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia President and CEO   I know I’m not alone when I say I cannot stop thinking about the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim last week.   They were two young people who believed in peace — not just as an idea, but as a lived commitment. Yaron, a German Israeli researcher, and Sarah, an American from Kansas working at the Israeli Embassy, were dedicated to building understanding across communities and cultures. They were partners in purpose and in life — murdered simply because of who they were - for being Jews - and what they stood for.   They wanted peace. Not more hatred.   What should have been a moment of collective grief has instead become a flashpoint of moral confusion. In the days since their deaths, we’ve seen not only silence in some corners, but something worse: attempts to rationalize or justify this act of terror as somehow “understandable.” This is not just disappointing — it is dangerous. And it reveals something deeply broken in our public discourse.   The dehumanization that underpins this kind of thinking is a disease — and it is spreading.   But this is not only a moral crisis. It is a crisis of leadership.   We are living in a time when hate is not only expressed — it is amplified, monetized and applauded in certain corners of society. If we want to build a different future, we need moral courage — not just to name what is wrong, but to act on what is right.   We need leaders who see our shared humanity, who reject zero-sum thinking and who are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against all forms of hate — antisemitism, racism, extremism and the false narratives that pit our communities against one another.   This urgent moral clarity echoed last week from the podium at Yeshiva University’s commencement ceremony, where Dr. Rachel Goldberg-Polin addressed the Class of 2025 — roughly nine months after her son, Hersh, was murdered by Hamas in captivity, and six days before we marked 600 days in captivity for the remaining 58 hostages. Her remarks were a sobering reminder that while some lives have already been stolen, others remain in limbo — waiting, suffering and still unseen by too much of the world.   In her moving speech, she honored Hersh’s memory by calling us to action, compassion and purpose. You can watch her full remarks[ here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9nD6JGYAPw&utm_campaign=FY24%20Attacks%20in%20Israel&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-94C-KduPXEnjnBdMBbDbsn-WcBkqq8p2Do_SsuSzs2pTxSEoupYDAMQgS4lgUyr_DDDtJK).   She spoke of unity and connection, urging the graduates to focus on what binds us together — not only as Jews, but as human beings.    She reminded them — and all of us — that identity alone is not enough. Action is what defines us.    Goldberg-Polin also warned of the temptation to live on the extremes — where everything is black and white, simple and satisfying. Extremes require no intersection, no reasoning. The salty, tasty pull of all-or-nothing thinking can feel good — even righteous — in the moment. But it is often a shortcut to certainty, not to wisdom.   Instead, she challenged the graduates — and all of us — to do the harder, holier work of holding complexity. Drawing on the teachings of Rambam, she reminded us that we are implored to push toward the golden mean — that tricky but revered middle, where nuance lives. The “wait a minute,” the “how can it be so,” the “if, but, why” space that keeps us curious, agile and questioning. That middle ground keeps us on our toes — not because it’s comfortable, but because it’s where conscience is forged and where meaningful leadership is born.   That message is deeply embedded in Jewish tradition. In Judaism, questioning isn’t just permitted — it’s a core spiritual practice. From Abraham challenging G-d over Sodom and Gomorrah, to the Four Questions at the Passover Seder, to generations of rabbinic debate, asking questions is a sign of engagement and devotion. We are taught that through inquiry — not blind certainty — we come closer to understanding and to G-d. This is not a weakness in our faith. It is one of its greatest strengths.   She urged the graduates to be beacons of hope, to embrace discomfort, and to keep searching for deeper truth. Her words were a call not to stagnate in easy certainty, but to stay engaged and morally alert in an increasingly chaotic world.   That same spirit of resilience and moral clarity echoed at our Spring Annual Meeting on Wednesday night, when Rabbi Mike Uram reminded us that even one light of hope can ignite collective hope — and spark meaningful change. In moments of darkness, it’s the small acts of moral clarity, courage, and connection that multiply into something powerful enough to guide communities forward.   We are strongest when we move together — not in lockstep, but in shared purpose.   Yaron and Sarah lived with purpose. Dr. Rachel Goldberg-Polin is living with courage. Their legacies demand that we do the same.   May their memories be a blessing — and may we honor them by choosing courage over silence, and unity over division.   \*\*\*   **If you would like to receive Israel emergency communications, please [click here](https://go.jewishphilly.org/israel-emergency-emails?utm_campaign=FY24%20Attacks%20in%20Israel&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8YpPmnDwAdGOwDQ_5M_Q-GvplUyNRMWIGHm_dRyYzXOYYZzmVNLlbl5VRkI7w8DgVZ3IU7).** Share [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.jewishphilly.org/michael-balabans-update-on-the-war-in-israel-may-30&title=Michael%20Balaban's%20Update%20on%20the%20War%20in%20Israel) [Share on Twitter](http://twitter.com/home?status=Michael%20Balaban's%20Update%20on%20the%20War%20in%20Israel+https://blog.jewishphilly.org/michael-balabans-update-on-the-war-in-israel-may-30) [Share by Email](mailto:?subject=Michael%20Balaban's%20Update%20on%20the%20War%20in%20Israel&body=Michael%20Balaban's%20Update%20on%20the%20War%20in%20Israel%20-%20https://blog.jewishphilly.org/michael-balabans-update-on-the-war-in-israel-may-30) ### Sign up for the *Jewish Philly* E-Newsletter [Back to The Latest](https://blog.jewishphilly.org) # Related Posts ## Blog June 30, 2026 # From Local Jewish Federation Real Estate Grants to Federal Investment: What Needs to be Done for Jewish Communal Security ## Blog June 29, 2026 # Upcoming Jewish Federation Events in July ## Blog June 26, 2026 # The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Mobilizes Community Members for Advocacy Day in Harrisburg [Tweets by JFedinPhilly](https://twitter.com/JFedinPhilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Find us on ![JFGP_KO_rgb](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/JFGP_KO_rgb.png?width=300&height=84&name=JFGP_KO_rgb.png) Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Two Commerce Square 2001 Market Street, Suite 2300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 [215.832.0500](tel:1-215-832-0500) | [info@jewishphilly.org](mailto:info@jewishphilly.org) *The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia welcomes the participation of Jews across the religious spectrum, interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. If you require special accommodations, please contact us, and we will make every effort to meet your needs.* © 2024 Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. All Rights Reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://jewishphilly.org/privacy-policy) | [Contact Us](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/contact-us) A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. EIN: 23-1500085 [![Four-Star-Rating-Badge-Full-Color](https://blog.jewishphilly.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Four-Star-Rating-Badge-Full-Color.webp?width=150&height=150&name=Four-Star-Rating-Badge-Full-Color.webp)](https://jewishphilly.org/4-star-charity-navigator-rating/)   - [Who We Are](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/) - [About](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/about/) - [History](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/history/) - [Our Impact](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/our-impact/) - [Leadership & Governance](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/leadership/) - [Financials](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/financials/) - [Program Evaluation](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/program-evaluation/) - [Contact Us](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/contact-us/) - [Sign Up for Emails](https://go.jewishphilly.org/jewish-federation-email-sign-up) - [Careers](https://jewishphilly.org/who-we-are/careers/) - [Get Involved](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/) - [Events Calendar](https://jewishphilly.org/events-calendar) - [Signature Events](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/signature-events/) - [Affinity Groups](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/affinity-groups/) - [Volunteer](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/volunteer/) - [Jewish Community Relations Council](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/public-affairs/) - [Travel with Purpose](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/missions/) - [Neighborhood Programming](https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/neighborhood-programming/) - [The Latest](https://go.jewishphilly.org/news) - [Blog](https://blog.jewishphilly.org) - [Press Room](https://jewishphilly.org/category/press-room/) - [Ways to Give](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/) - [Donate Now](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/) - [Give Monthly](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/give-monthly/) - [Jewish Community Foundation](https://jfgp.giftlegacy.com/) - [Life & Legacy Program](https://jewishphilly.org/life-and-legacy/) - [Tribute E-Cards](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/tribute-cards/) - [Giving Societies](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/giving-societies/) - [EITC](https://jewishphilly.org/ways-to-give/eitc/) - [Resources](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/) - [COVID-19 Relief](https://go.jewishphilly.org/combatting-covid-19) - [Population Study](https://jewishphilly.org/communityportrait/) - [Mitzvah Food Program](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/mitzvah-food-program/) - [Teen Programs](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/teen-programs/) - [Jewish Camping](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/jewish-camping/) - [Apply for Grants](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/apply-for-grants/) - [Scholarships](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/scholarships/) - [Israel Engagement](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/israel-engagement/) - [Holocaust Education](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/holocaust-programming/) - [Security](https://jewishphilly.org/resources/security/)