A number of years ago the slogan “It’s ok not to be ok” became common. Apparently, a tv show was made with this title as well. I assume that the deeper meaning and message of these words is, that it is ok to struggle and not feel shamed by our human emotions. In an era of self awareness and focus on mental health, it is vital that we create a space for people to be able to process what they are going through and get the help they need to become healthier and more functional human beings. In other words, its time to end the stigma and shame.
Having just returned from Israel while leading another Taglit-Birthright trip for young adults ages 22-27, I am still processing this unique trip to Israel during a war. While it was my second trip to Israel since October 7th, this one was different and in a way more difficult. Thirty participants from the US were joined by eight Israeli soldiers and veterans to form our group. We toured the sights, laughed and cried, ate a great deal of good food, and sweated as you can only sweat in Israel in July.
It was all great, except that it was not all ok. I had expected perhaps to "get past" the war, but alas, that was not the case.
Israel is so beautiful and moving, and no terror or attack will change the fiber or resilience of its people. The sights, smells and aromas of the holy land are exactly as we all know it to be. The Israeli population is diverse, complicated and even in war time, if you put three Jews in a room, you will get at least six opinions. Yes, things are tough, but people are coping. I have no doubt that Israel will get through this and things will be ok.
That being said, Israel is not ok.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Having just returned from Israel while leading another Taglit-Birthright trip for young adults ages 22-27, I am still processing this unique trip to Israel during a war. While it was my second trip to Israel since October 7th, this one was different and in a way more difficult. Thirty participants from the US were joined by eight Israeli soldiers and veterans to form our group. We toured the sights, laughed and cried, ate a great deal of good food, and sweated as you can only sweat in Israel in July.
It was all great, except that it was not all ok. I had expected perhaps to "get past" the war, but alas, that was not the case.
Israel is so beautiful and moving, and no terror or attack will change the fiber or resilience of its people. The sights, smells and aromas of the holy land are exactly as we all know it to be. The Israeli population is diverse, complicated and even in war time, if you put three Jews in a room, you will get at least six opinions. Yes, things are tough, but people are coping. I have no doubt that Israel will get through this and things will be ok.
That being said, Israel is not ok.
There were almost no tourists or organized groups in the popular tourist spots. On Masada it was easy to find shade, as there was only one other group touring the fortress. In the Ben Yehuda promenade there were no lines, high pitched screams in English as there were almost no tourists. I even allowed myself to be overcharged by shop merchants who have had no business for months. I figured if I can help in some way, so be it. To make it more real, within one day, three friends that we were supposed to visit had to cancel last minute, as the husbands received military orders to report to their units, again. The hotels that we stayed in were all ok, but they all had displaced families from the north. My wife and I stopped a child and asked him when he was home last, he said nine months ago. I gave him ten shekels to by some treats, as I did not know what else to do.
Israel is not ok. People are hurting and the economy is suffering. Families are still sending their loved ones off to war, hoping to see them again. And then there are the funerals. Entire new sections in Mt. Herzl Military cemetery have been constructed and the fresh graves, organized by the date of the fallen, are gut wrenching. A podium and a stack of chairs awaits the next funeral. No purpose in putting them away.
The resilience and ability of Israelis to laugh at themselves, make some dark jokes, and make sure to enjoy some arak and chumus while doing so, is incredible and inspiring. The spirit of peoplehood and understanding what is at stake, is something to marvel about. But friends, people are not ok.
It’s not ok to not be ok.
Israel is not ok. People are hurting and the economy is suffering. Families are still sending their loved ones off to war, hoping to see them again. And then there are the funerals. Entire new sections in Mt. Herzl Military cemetery have been constructed and the fresh graves, organized by the date of the fallen, are gut wrenching. A podium and a stack of chairs awaits the next funeral. No purpose in putting them away.
The resilience and ability of Israelis to laugh at themselves, make some dark jokes, and make sure to enjoy some arak and chumus while doing so, is incredible and inspiring. The spirit of peoplehood and understanding what is at stake, is something to marvel about. But friends, people are not ok.
It’s not ok to not be ok.
It’s not ok for Israelis to have to live like this. It’s not ok that there are still 120 hostages held in Gaza. It’s not ok that tens of thousands of people are displaced. It’s not ok that thousands of rockets (yes, that’s correct) are raining down on the north of Israel every single day. It’s not ok how many people have died. It’s not ok that so many in the world just hold Israel to a different standard.
It’s really, really, not ok to not be ok.
As in this weeks torah portion of Balak, where the evil Bilaam attempts to curse the Jewish people, it ends up being a phenomenal blessing. The Jewish people were blessed with the blessing of "Mah Tovu - how goodly are your tents Jacob, your dwelling places Yisrael” (Bamidbar: 24:5). This blessing was perhaps indicating that not withstanding the challenges and difficulties of our people, we will endure and be blessed. Bilaam understood that in the end, it is not the external factors that matter but the internal factors of Mishpacha (family) and the Jewish home that keep us together.
I am okay, but not that okay. I stand with Israel with every fiber of my being. We have no other land. We have no other people. We have no other true home. We are Israel. We will prevail.
It’s really, really, not ok to not be ok.
As in this weeks torah portion of Balak, where the evil Bilaam attempts to curse the Jewish people, it ends up being a phenomenal blessing. The Jewish people were blessed with the blessing of "Mah Tovu - how goodly are your tents Jacob, your dwelling places Yisrael” (Bamidbar: 24:5). This blessing was perhaps indicating that not withstanding the challenges and difficulties of our people, we will endure and be blessed. Bilaam understood that in the end, it is not the external factors that matter but the internal factors of Mishpacha (family) and the Jewish home that keep us together.
I am okay, but not that okay. I stand with Israel with every fiber of my being. We have no other land. We have no other people. We have no other true home. We are Israel. We will prevail.
Am Yisrael Chai.
