Torah Fund Stands With Israel:  A Series Going Strong 

Who would have thought on October 7, 2023, that a year later, we would still be speaking of kidnapped hostages, the conflict in Gaza would be unresolved, and that Israel would be facing even more challenges from additional foes? Yet, sadly, this is the case. It is important more than ever that we stay informed and engaged, and we continue to nourish our spiritual souls. This Torah Fund Stands With Israel program accomplished those goals. 

Rabbi, Educator, Therapist, Spouse, Mother—and Torah Fund Supporter! 

The d’var Torah was presented by Rabbi Nicole Guzik, senior rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Her focus is on women’s programming and family retention and recruitment. Rabbi Guzik began by proudly stating that her mother had been president of her sisterhood for many years. Then she shared that we are two thirds past Elul. Parashat Nitzavim Hayelech teaches that all of us are to stand upright, each of us is to take responsibility and is accountable. She cited the words of Rav Yosef who stated that in the world to come, it would be upside down. G-d sees into our soul, titles and positions are irrelevant; we are no better than others, and we are to choose loving kindness. Rabbi Guzik explained the attacks on Israel are with the purpose of eliminating our sovereign state and they are attacks on all of us, and she affirmed we are all part of a greater people, the people of Israel.   

Rabbi Guzik expressed her admiration of what we accomplish in Torah Fund and thanked us and wished us all Shanah Tovah. 

A Comprehensive, Frank Discussion of Israel’s Challenges 

We were very fortunate that diplomat Yuval Donio-Gideon was available to speak to our group again.  Yuval began by thanking us for inviting him, and said he believes there is important value in interaction and dialogue. 

He noted that it is almost one year since the October 7 attack on Israel, which he described as the most barbaric attack on Israel and in modern history. Most, but not all, of the victims were Jews. He continued that neither politics, ideology nor alleged human rights violations, justify what happened that day.  He said it was a modern atrocity as shown by the terrorists documenting themselves by filming their actions, often with the mobile phones of victims. He added that war followed, but it was not Israel’s choice. 

Yuval explained the various challenges Israel is facing on many fronts. In Gaza, most of the Hamas battalions have been dismantled; fighting continues, and he described the very sophisticated tunnel systems of Hamas. In Judea and Samaria there has been a tenfold increase in terrorist activity due to Iranian efforts, with money and ammunition smuggled in from Jordan. There are ongoing issues with Lebanon. 65,000 Israelis had to vacate their residences in the north; Israel needs to neutralize Hezbollah and force their hand so that Israeli citizens can return to their homes. Houthis: The Houthis are a Shia Islamist movement backed by Iran, which supports Hamas; the Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel and at ships in the Red Sea. And the pro-Syria and Iraq Militias constitute an emerging threat. 

Yuval’s role as a diplomat is to dispel lies and misleading facts propagated by the world, media, and social media. He asked us to speak up in spaces where false information is disseminated. He warned of a severe increase in antisemitism in the United States and Europe, far worse than in the past, commenting that “just being a Jew” is a reason to be attacked. He also discussed Iran, explaining that the country is a major sponsor of terrorism, providing funds and weapons for attacks. 

Regarding the 101 hostages held captive in Gaza, Yuval expressed hope they are still alive, and the goal is to get them home. He plays an active role in providing maximum exposure to their families to keep the hostage release issue “front and center.”   

Yuval responded to questions from the audience. On the topic of getting the hostages released as a priority, he declared their release is a major priority, but that Hamas retaining the hostages is their “strongest card.” Qatar and the United States have provided some assistance, he said, but there has been nothing else. The hostage issue is an open wound in Israel. When questioned about killing all the Hamas terrorists, Yuval replied that Israel does not intend to kill all the terrorists; the goal is to break terrorism and Hamas’ governing abilities. By Israel’s actions, Hamas as a terror army will cease to exist, and their ability to carry out another event like October 7 will cease to exist. On the topic of U.S. support, Yuval described relations between the two countries as very close and strong, noting Israel’s situation would be very different without this support. The U.S. makes it clear that Israel does not stand alone, and he advises that the U.S. doesn’t provide aid to Israel solely for Israel’s benefit. In response to an inquiry about the U.S. elections, Yuval indicated there is a commitment to support Israel from both parties; and in response to a question about the tunnels in Gaza built by Hamas, Yuval described them as two decades old, constantly being improved, and that an underground city has been created containing machinery, weapons, ventilation, and electricity. He said that funds that should have been used for the benefit of the Gazan people were used to build these tunnels. Israel needs to be skillful in finding and dismantling the tunnels, made even more complicated, he added, because of the likelihood hostages are kept there. 

Yuval was asked about violence committed by settlers; he acknowledged this is a serious concern, it damages how the world relates to Israel, and that it is important for immoral acts to be punished and for laws to be enforced. For an inquiry about the role of the United Nations, Yuval said that while he recognizes this is the only place where all the nations in the world interact, the role of the U.N. has become more negative. UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) staff have been cooperating with Hamas and participating in atrocities. Yuval asserted that a U.N. agency cannot be part of a terrorist group. He also explained that it is not Israel’s role to educate Palestinians; their society must learn to be a free and fair society. Israel can help facilitate those beliefs, he said, but ultimately, it is not Israel’s decision. Israel may only express that it will not tolerate extremism and terrorism. He used Golda Meir’s quote to make his point: “Peace will come only when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.” 

Yuval suggested that other than financial support, we can provide support by speaking up for what we believe in, using social media to support Israel, reaching out frequently to our elected officials, and encouraging family and friends to visit and do business with Israel.   

We appreciated Yuval’s insight, ideas and Israeli perspective. He served in the Israel Defense Forces and began his diplomatic career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2006. Since then, he has served in Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi, moving on to Deputy Ambassador to Finland and Estonia in 2008. He returned to headquarters and served in the North American Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Representative to the Planning Directorate of the IDF. He has been serving in the New York office of the Consulate General of Israel since 2022.