Joshua, excellent article. One thing it made me reflect on is how much life in the diaspora has changed since October 7. I’m not comparing the reality Israelis live with — the sirens, the wars, the constant security threats. That’s obviously on a different level. But something has shifted for Jews outside Israel as well.
I used to think how difficult it must be to live in Israel with that constant tension. Yet today, in one respect, I almost envy it — because at least you are surrounded by your own people. In the diaspora, many Jews now wake up wondering what they might encounter that day: hostility at work, on campus, on the subway, in the streets. The past two years have changed the atmosphere dramatically.
Again, I’m not claiming parity between the two realities. Israel lives under the threat of war. But Jews in the diaspora are discovering something we had almost forgotten: how quickly the sense of safety we once took for granted can disappear.
My young American Jewish life was everything Israel until I lived there. I haven't been back since 1983. I lived my "liberal " American Jewish life believing that we were safe yet there was always a strong deep internal fear of Islam and the growing complacency of the West especially Jews. October 7th shook me awake like so many ( not enough) American Jews. As I come to terms with my deep guilt abd remorse around my ignorance I continually sound the alarm to anyone in my life who will still talkbto me.
"the growing complacency of the West"- It's way worse than complacency. The Left in all Western countries are in an alliance with Islam. The Left hates Western Civilization, Jews, Christians and anyone else who gets in their way of power over us. Islam has the same enemies and hence the totally natural alliance.
"I continually sound the alarm to anyone in my life who will still talk to me."
If you try to tell them the above truths, you may have no one else in your life. If that is the case reach out to those who can see the dangers. They will be there for you when it matters the most. Good luck.
"Rejectionism and antisemitism have been features of Arab and Muslim societies for centuries." What always gets me is that, especially here in America, too many think this violence must have just started in 1948. THAT is infantile.
Thank you for writing this. I always read about the terror acts that occurred in Israel well before October 7, but I have not read about daily living and such. Your descriptions of learning Hebrew and adapting to living there gave me insights into how people cope there.
I can’t find the right words, but this article really impacted me today.
Finally to the point. These fake creatures with their fake cause, they don’t want peace. They want our land. They want us dead. I have a problem with Jewish IDF compassion for an injured Palestinian (what ever a palestinian is) Would one save Hitler? Saving them keeps them alive to kill another Jew. They breed like rats. I fear my PTSD for being a race that is easily slaughtered has made me numb. Kill them all.
Successful violent attacks on Jews in the United States, and planned attacks, the threat of such attacks, have cause almost all Jewish synagogues and temples to hire armed security for Shabbos services and most events. Where possible, congregants with carry permits carry firearms to services. It has become routine to come to worship and see armed security, so routine that congregants feel insecure when security isn't present.
" They don’t want a Jewish state anywhere near them. That’s what they’ve been taught beginning at the youngest of ages."Isn't it about time to teach Palestinian children something different? If that were to mean that Palestinians would henceforth also fall under the Israeli Ministry of Education, that seems to me a good step towards emancipation and self-respect. That would therefore amount to annexation—probably the only way to get a grip on a wild and rudderless population group.
Thank you, Joshua, for the glimpse of reality. Thankfully, this time will be over soon [whatever that means]. My conclusion is reality from my point of view. It seems obvious to me that the situation is designed to enable you to turn toward HaShem and be rescued, redeemed, and enter into a close personal relationship with Yeshua Messiah—where you will find peace.
Excellent essay. Of course the media leaves out all these points; because it humanizes Israel/Jews and presents the truth of it all. That is not their goal.
As always a wonderful/accurate/honest illuminating essay !!!!....thank you so much......God bless and protect you always!!!!!!..... Am Israel Chai.......
I was born in Israel. My dad was killed trying to protect Gush Etzion in 1948. It was won back in the 1967 War. And the area is now in contention yet again. I was "born under bullets" flying. My mother and all the women with children fled to a French Monastery nearby.
Indeed"this was "normal" THEN and STILL is--normal NOW in Israel".
Thank you, Joshua, for this deeply personal evocation of the daily, lived experience of Israelis. Would that every critic of Israel could spend one week there.
Joshua, you gave a strong and revealing look at what Israelis face every day. What I find to be the absolute strength of Israelis is that they go on with their lives. They let nothing stop their work, their building, their innovations, nothing. The beauty of Israel and Israelis was never more evident to me watching the 78th Israel celebration last night. The masses of people, smiling and dancing, cheering as they watched Javier Milei sing and speak about Israel. Looking out at the people, I truly understood what living in the light meant. The happiness and light emanating from them was blinding and it really brought tears to my eyes. No other country could emerge so joyfully as Israelis have done every day, and this despite a war going on, again. The contrast of light in Israel and the darkness that is overtaking Europe is now so apparent. When I see the hate that is growing in the US, I see it also casting a darkness over the people who hate. There is no happiness or joy in their lives. My hope is that the joy and love of life in Israel can spread and change the hate that is starting to take hold in Western countries. Am Yisrael Chai! Baruch Hashem.
When terrorists like Arafraud and Al-Joulani are treated as celebs in the UN and major Democratic parliaments, maybe now you can understand what it's like to live in our upside down world 🌎.
Hopefully your stories and publications can make a small dent in the minds of a few people that still read articles and posts.
Why is Israeli policy now a holy war? From Herzl’s secular plans to "God on speed dial" coalitions, discover the "God Trick. #TheGodTrick #IsraelPolitics #Zionism #Geopolitics #ModernHistory #PoliticalAnalysis #MiddleEast #IdentityPolitics
Joshua, excellent article. One thing it made me reflect on is how much life in the diaspora has changed since October 7. I’m not comparing the reality Israelis live with — the sirens, the wars, the constant security threats. That’s obviously on a different level. But something has shifted for Jews outside Israel as well.
I used to think how difficult it must be to live in Israel with that constant tension. Yet today, in one respect, I almost envy it — because at least you are surrounded by your own people. In the diaspora, many Jews now wake up wondering what they might encounter that day: hostility at work, on campus, on the subway, in the streets. The past two years have changed the atmosphere dramatically.
Again, I’m not claiming parity between the two realities. Israel lives under the threat of war. But Jews in the diaspora are discovering something we had almost forgotten: how quickly the sense of safety we once took for granted can disappear.
My young American Jewish life was everything Israel until I lived there. I haven't been back since 1983. I lived my "liberal " American Jewish life believing that we were safe yet there was always a strong deep internal fear of Islam and the growing complacency of the West especially Jews. October 7th shook me awake like so many ( not enough) American Jews. As I come to terms with my deep guilt abd remorse around my ignorance I continually sound the alarm to anyone in my life who will still talkbto me.
Always better late then never.
"the growing complacency of the West"- It's way worse than complacency. The Left in all Western countries are in an alliance with Islam. The Left hates Western Civilization, Jews, Christians and anyone else who gets in their way of power over us. Islam has the same enemies and hence the totally natural alliance.
"I continually sound the alarm to anyone in my life who will still talk to me."
If you try to tell them the above truths, you may have no one else in your life. If that is the case reach out to those who can see the dangers. They will be there for you when it matters the most. Good luck.
Frederick, yes! Well said.
"Rejectionism and antisemitism have been features of Arab and Muslim societies for centuries." What always gets me is that, especially here in America, too many think this violence must have just started in 1948. THAT is infantile.
Willfully ignorant. Deliberately spreading falsehoods. It's all part of the Digital Holocaust.
Thank you for writing this. I always read about the terror acts that occurred in Israel well before October 7, but I have not read about daily living and such. Your descriptions of learning Hebrew and adapting to living there gave me insights into how people cope there.
I can’t find the right words, but this article really impacted me today.
Finally to the point. These fake creatures with their fake cause, they don’t want peace. They want our land. They want us dead. I have a problem with Jewish IDF compassion for an injured Palestinian (what ever a palestinian is) Would one save Hitler? Saving them keeps them alive to kill another Jew. They breed like rats. I fear my PTSD for being a race that is easily slaughtered has made me numb. Kill them all.
Thank you for this. Excellent essay.
Successful violent attacks on Jews in the United States, and planned attacks, the threat of such attacks, have cause almost all Jewish synagogues and temples to hire armed security for Shabbos services and most events. Where possible, congregants with carry permits carry firearms to services. It has become routine to come to worship and see armed security, so routine that congregants feel insecure when security isn't present.
" They don’t want a Jewish state anywhere near them. That’s what they’ve been taught beginning at the youngest of ages."Isn't it about time to teach Palestinian children something different? If that were to mean that Palestinians would henceforth also fall under the Israeli Ministry of Education, that seems to me a good step towards emancipation and self-respect. That would therefore amount to annexation—probably the only way to get a grip on a wild and rudderless population group.
Thank you, Joshua, for the glimpse of reality. Thankfully, this time will be over soon [whatever that means]. My conclusion is reality from my point of view. It seems obvious to me that the situation is designed to enable you to turn toward HaShem and be rescued, redeemed, and enter into a close personal relationship with Yeshua Messiah—where you will find peace.
Excellent essay. Of course the media leaves out all these points; because it humanizes Israel/Jews and presents the truth of it all. That is not their goal.
Beautiful! Am Yisrael Chai!!!!!!!!
As always a wonderful/accurate/honest illuminating essay !!!!....thank you so much......God bless and protect you always!!!!!!..... Am Israel Chai.......
I was born in Israel. My dad was killed trying to protect Gush Etzion in 1948. It was won back in the 1967 War. And the area is now in contention yet again. I was "born under bullets" flying. My mother and all the women with children fled to a French Monastery nearby.
Indeed"this was "normal" THEN and STILL is--normal NOW in Israel".
Thank you, Joshua, for this deeply personal evocation of the daily, lived experience of Israelis. Would that every critic of Israel could spend one week there.
Joshua, you gave a strong and revealing look at what Israelis face every day. What I find to be the absolute strength of Israelis is that they go on with their lives. They let nothing stop their work, their building, their innovations, nothing. The beauty of Israel and Israelis was never more evident to me watching the 78th Israel celebration last night. The masses of people, smiling and dancing, cheering as they watched Javier Milei sing and speak about Israel. Looking out at the people, I truly understood what living in the light meant. The happiness and light emanating from them was blinding and it really brought tears to my eyes. No other country could emerge so joyfully as Israelis have done every day, and this despite a war going on, again. The contrast of light in Israel and the darkness that is overtaking Europe is now so apparent. When I see the hate that is growing in the US, I see it also casting a darkness over the people who hate. There is no happiness or joy in their lives. My hope is that the joy and love of life in Israel can spread and change the hate that is starting to take hold in Western countries. Am Yisrael Chai! Baruch Hashem.
Welcome to reality.
When terrorists like Arafraud and Al-Joulani are treated as celebs in the UN and major Democratic parliaments, maybe now you can understand what it's like to live in our upside down world 🌎.
Hopefully your stories and publications can make a small dent in the minds of a few people that still read articles and posts.
Why is Israeli policy now a holy war? From Herzl’s secular plans to "God on speed dial" coalitions, discover the "God Trick. #TheGodTrick #IsraelPolitics #Zionism #Geopolitics #ModernHistory #PoliticalAnalysis #MiddleEast #IdentityPolitics
https://austinsikora.substack.com/p/the-god-trick?r=32cg97&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true