An Invitation To Be An Exemplar

"We may like your posts that say, "never again," but we never fully believe it." - Josh Gilman

It broke my heart while reading this blog post from Josh Gilman, who gives a Jewish world-view perspective.

It isn't "just" about the current war in Israel, it's about what it is like growing up Jewish.

"When you are Jewish, you are always aware that there is a large population in the world that wants to kill you."

I am not Jewish myself, so I didn't grow up with this mindset.

I did not play, "Hiding from the Nazis" instead of "Hide and Seek".

To be worried about where you may need to hide if the worst happens.

To live every day wondering if today is the day, someone, somewhere, is going to try to kill you.

It happened to them on October 7th.

"More Jews died in one day than any day since the Holocaust. And the reality is that while we felt shock, we didn't necessarily feel surprise."

Can you imagine?

All your life you grew up thinking this was a possibility, and when it happens, you are not surprised?

Horrified, yes, but not surprised...

How hollow our "Never Again" is now.

However, instead of focusing on the pain, Josh focuses on something different.

"There is a song we like to sing: Am Y'Israel Chai. "The people of Israel live."

We always will. Many have tried to wipe us out. And yet we live."

We can find beauty in the world despite the tragedies, as Josh is doing.

He is showing that we all, despite the problems, can rise above.

Pain yes, yet we Live.

There is Power when we take a stand as Leaders and say, "Though you may strike at us, we will rise back above it."

The people of Israel are strong, though still in need of aid.

This leads to the final thing Josh ends with.

"... I end with a simple invitation to join us in our life. It means the world when you do."

I stand with you Israel.

Though there are problems in the world that need to be fixed, I stand against the killing of innocents.

No one deserves this.

We are being called to be Exemplars, and I will heed the call.

Will you?

There are a lot of people in need, many people are in pain, and it will get worse before it gets better.

You may feel powerless to help, but the truth is we are all far more powerful than we realize.

Ask yourself, "What CAN I do?"

Can you stand up?

Can you tell the people of Israel that you are someone who is unafraid to stand against the bloodshed?

Will you provide what you are able to support them?

Comfort?

Support?

Aid?

Safety?

It is a human necessity to find safety, and we have the power to do something about that.

As Josh points out, you may not even know who around you is hurting.

The Jewish people often live in fear and hide who they are out of that fear, something no one should ever have to do.

So I say to you, stand tall, be an Exemplar, let all those around you know your Heart.

You don't know who is worried, who is struggling, who is wondering if you are a safe person.

I am here to say that I will do what I can, though I fear it is not enough.

Individually we may feel like what we do is little, but if we stand together we can make a greater impact.

Together, the world can accomplish amazing things.

But only if we act, only if we stand, only if we choose to be Exemplars.

If that is you, then...

Share this message.

Share Josh's message.

Write your own message.

Provide aid to some or all of the resources below.

I have provided to every single one of these organizations.

What will you do?

I challenge you to be an Exemplar.

Save The Children (Emergency Fund)

I am no stranger to sending support to Children in need.

In the darkest of times, they are the ones who get the worst.

In the darkest of times, they are the ones who are forgotten.

Their innocence should be treasured, but often people take advantage of it.

In War, this is no exception.

We need to Stand up most fiercely for those who cannot stand for themselves, and the top of that list for me is Children.

Save The Children takes a bold stance, ensuring that all children have the right to grow up healthy, educated, and safe.

They have an Emergency Fund for times like this, for times of War.

I will not forget the children.

If this is something you feel called to give to, here is their link:

Save The Children (Emergency Fund)

Alternatively, you can also donate to their "Team Tomorrow" program and join the cause of Choose Peace:

Save The Children (Team Tomorrow: Choose Peace)

American Friends Of Magen David Adom

In War, there are always those who will be injured.

There are brave groups of people who will leap into the conflict to save as many lives as possible.

Paramedics, EMTs, First Responders, and First-Aid Providers.

They risk their lives so that others have a chance to live.

That is what the Magen David Adom organization does in Israel.

You can help their organization here:

American Friends of Magen David Adom

Leket Israel

Times of war tend to make Food scarce.

Leket Israel takes food from Surplus locations and ensures it gets to those most in need.

There are a lot of people who are in need now.

Ensure that people get the Food that they need.

Help provide food here:

Leket Israel

Natal - Israel Trauma & Resiliency Center

War inevitably brings Trauma.

It is bad enough for the families of the combatants.

The Trauma is significantly worse when the violence targets completely innocent civilians and children.

We are already seeing Trauma spread, and this War has only just begun.

We can be proactive though, and start the healing process where we are able.

Natal provides Trauma prevention, intervention, and guidance in times of conflict in Israel.

Help the process of healing here:

Natal

ALLMEP - Alliance For Middle East Peace

The goal is Peace.

However, War can make Peace incredibly hard to create.

This War is a blow to Peace in the Middle East.

But, there are organizations actively working for Peace.

ALLMEP is one of those organizations.

The Middle East needs more people ready to stand for Peace.

We can help promote Peace, even during the darkest times.

Promote Peace here:

ALLMEP

Other Great Organizations

There are likely countless more organizations I have not mentioned.

However, I do have two more to include.

Doctors Without Borders and The Red Cross.

These two organizations are often at the forefront of conflict wherever it arises.

Here are ways to donate to them as well:

Doctors Without Borders

International Committee Of The Red Cross