Opinion: Grappling with the (Dis)Connection between my Judaism and the War in Gaza

Like probably everyone in the Jewish community, I have gone through so many emotions over the past 10+ months, while trying to process the October 7th terrorist attack and all the related events that have unfolded since. From shock to sorrow to anger to fear to despair to powerlessness… and the list goes on. And as we get closer to the first anniversary of that horrific day, it is increasingly troubling to see how the war in Gaza continues to intensify while hostages are still not returned to their families and homes. 

One thing I have particularly struggled with in trying to process this extremely difficult era is how my Jewish identity and the ideals that I hold about being a Jew connect (or do not connect) with the events we are witnessing. Perhaps sharing my thoughts on this could help others grappling with similar questions, or shed light on the different perspectives that we hold within the Jewish community.  

I grew up in Skokie, Illinois - a Chicago suburb that was over 50% Jewish when I was a child. My parents met while working at a Zionist Jewish summer camp and raised my brother and me to have a strong and proud Jewish identity. My closest childhood friends were always Jewish, and I never doubted that being Jewish was a core part of who I was. All of this is to say, I am very grateful for my Jewish upbringing and feel deeply connected to the Jewish people.  

I also come from a Peace and Conflict Resolution background, with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in that discipline. This background, along with my Jewish identity, are the two biggest influences on my worldview. They are at the core of how I make sense of the world and how I see myself. But over the past 10 months, it feels as if they are at odds with each other. 

While the Hamas attack on October 7th was horrific, I have had a hard time understanding how we can justify the response that Israel has taken since then. I do not believe that the war Israel has waged on Gaza is an accurate reflection of who we are, or our values as Jewish people. Some of the most basic tenants that I understand about Judaism are pikuach nefesh - the commandment to save a life, tikkun olam - our duty to repair the world, and the way that Rabbi Hillel described the essence of the Torah while standing on one foot: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor." 

Because of my education and professional work in conflict resolution, I know that eliminating a terrorist organization through military means is nearly impossible. I also know that destroying a neighbor’s basic infrastructure does the exact opposite of creating peace and security for oneself. Rather, it sows the seeds for further violence and terrorism in the future. I believe that this war is not only devastating the entire Gazan population and its future generations, but it is making Israel less safe as a nation and making Jews less safe as a worldwide community.  

We must strongly oppose and respond to terrorism whenever it occurs, but the way that Israel has chosen to conduct its response is not a path towards peace. Denying an entire civilian population the most basic human necessities is ineffective, counterproductive and incompatible with the principles of Judaism that I know and believe in.  

I feel a responsibility to speak out against these actions not only because they are undertaken in the name of the Jewish people, but also because they are being funded with American taxpayer dollars. I believe it is my duty as an American Jew to contact my Representatives, Senators and the White House to demand that no further funding be given to Israel until a permanent ceasefire is in place and humanitarian aid is able to be distributed throughout Gaza. 

It's important that we make space for diverse thoughts on Israel and Israeli policy moving forward. Many Jews feel strongly about bringing this war to an end, and that is especially true when it comes to young people. The more we dismiss those who are calling for peace as naïve or ignorant, the greater the risk of isolating them from the Jewish community and from their own Jewish identities. Let’s listen to them, and recognize that perhaps they are not opposing Israel’s actions in spite of their connection to Judaism, but because of it. 

Note: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the Observer, the editorial staff, or The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville.