Michael Balaban's Update on the War in Israel

- Michael Balaban
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia President and CEO

It’s been 412 days. Over the past year, I’ve had the profound experience of visiting Hostage Square at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art many times, standing alongside families still awaiting the return of their loved ones. Each visit brings a powerful mix of emotions—heart-wrenching pain for their loss and unyielding admiration for the tremendous love and solidarity our people demonstrate in times of crisis.

This past week, I returned to Hostage Square, where one message remains unwavering: Am Yisrael Chai.

I was in Israel for the Jewish Agency for Israel's Board of Governors’ Meeting. During this gathering, we had the opportunity to induct local community members and leaders Gail Norry and Laurenn Danneman as new board members while expressing heartfelt gratitude to Joan Stern and Stu Goodman as they transitioned from their roles. Beyond celebrating these leadership changes, we engaged in meaningful discussions about our shared mission and the future of the Jewish Agency. We were also happily joined by Elliot and Maxine Rosen who serve as representatives to the UIA (United Israel Appeal) which has seats on the board of the Jewish Agency.

Our conversations centered on addressing the critical challenges of the ongoing war in Israel, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, opportunities to bolster Israel’s economic foundation, and rising global threats to Jewish community. The Jewish Agency is scaling its efforts to support Aliyah, spearhead large-scale anchor projects, business loans and bolster global Jewish security—all of which are vital impact areas for our Federation’s work.

This visit also gave me the opportunity to witness the impactful initiatives supported by our Jewish Federation’s Emergency Fund.

At Kibbutz Sa’ad, I had the privilege of visiting the Teaching Kitchens, an initiative partially funded by the Emergency Fund. These kitchens go far beyond culinary education—they serve as spaces for resilience, healing, and connection for students and families profoundly affected by the ongoing crisis. Developed in partnership with the Negev Now Initiative, Ben-Gurion University, and Drexel Food Lab, programs like these are making a tangible difference in communities in need.

We also inaugurated the Pre-Army Academy at Kibbutz Sa’ad, a preparatory program for 40 Modern Orthodox young men and women supported through our Emergency Fund. It was truly inspiring to see these future leaders preparing to serve and strengthen Israel during such challenging times.

This week has underscored just how harsh these realities are and the immense challenges Israel continues to face. Relentless missile attacks from Hezbollah serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for decisive international leadership. Rarely does an hour pass without the wail of a siren somewhere in the country, sending families and communities rushing to bomb shelters. These ongoing threats demand resilience, unity, and unwavering support from the global community.

All the while, The ICC has made a historically unjust decision in issuing arrest warrants for Israel’s democratically elected leaders and defense officials, who for 14 months have been fighting a war they did not start or want in response to a genocidal terrorist organization’s unprovoked attack. This decision is a win for terrorists everywhere, who now see that the ICC has no compunction equating terrorists who target civilians with democratic states that employ legal frameworks and infrastructure to save as many civilians as possible.

This is as Israel tries to stem the flow of missiles and rockets that continue to terrorize its citizens and have forced tens of thousands of innocents to evacuate their homes for over a year. Targeting Israel while turning a blind eye to the world’s real human rights violators, the ICC—to which the U.S. and Israel are not signatories—has shown that Jews and the Jewish state are held to a different standard than the rest of the world.

The time for the international community to act is now. We call upon global leaders, institutions, and individuals of conscience to stand unequivocally against terrorism and the systemic targeting of Israel.

And back at home, through the Center to Combat Antisemitism led by our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), your Federation has been tirelessly working to foster understanding, address challenges, and build bridges across diverse communities:

• Building Bridges Across Communities in Lower Merion: This week, on Nov. 20, we facilitated a second meeting with community members and leaders in Lower Merion to address tensions arising in recent school board and committee meetings. The meeting, which was hosted by JCRC and NAACP Main Line, brought 40 attendees from the Jewish Family Association (JFA) of Lower Merion, local rabbis, pastors, students and other leaders. These discussions foster deeper understanding, mutual respect, and collaboration while celebrating the diversity within the community.
• Partnering with Greater Philadelphia Schools: The Jewish Federation is actively collaborating with local school districts to promote education and address antisemitism. Partnering with the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), the Federation is developing programming for Jewish American Heritage Month to celebrate Jewish history and culture. Additionally, in response to an antisemitic incident, the Lower Merion School District engaged the Federation to create a comprehensive educational program for its 1,500 employees to address hate, encourage civil discourse, and promote awareness and understanding about the rise of antisemitism and hate.
• Building Relationships with Clergy in Philadelphia: The JCRC team continues to deepen interfaith connections, engaging with the Religious Leaders Council of Philadelphia and building closer ties with the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity.
• Welcoming Yirmiyahu Danzig for a Speaking Tour: This March, Yirmiyahu Danzig from OpenDor Media will return to Greater Philadelphia for a five-day speaking tour. Last year, Danzig visited Philadelphia for one day and led very impactful sessions for the Jewish Family Association of the School District of Philadelphia (SDP JFA) and the New Golden Age. His presentations, focused on Jewish identity, diversity, and effectively utilizing social media to promote Jewish education, provide meaningful opportunities for dialogue and connection.
  

Our work is grounded in fostering understanding and creating meaningful connections.

And I firmly believe the urgent need for action is clear—We must continue to call for the immediate release of all hostages—a demand rooted in the universal values of humanity and justice. At the same time, we must urge the international community to hold Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas accountable and take a decisive stand against terrorism.

Together, we continue to build a stronger, more united community locally and globally, championing security, freedom, and hope for all.

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