As Jews who love Israel and believe in its founding promise as a free, democratic, and safe homeland for the Jewish people, we were horrified and heartbroken by the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7. Now, almost two years later, we are heartbroken by the devastating toll this war has taken on the hostages and their families, on the tens of thousands of civilians of all ages in Gaza, on Israel Defense Force soldiers and their families, on civilians in Israel, and on victims of anti-Israel, antisemitic, and anti-Palestinian attacks outside Israel, including here in the United States.
We, Jews who love and support Israel, believe it’s imperative for us to end the silence out of concern of being targeted by other Jews as disloyal or anti-Israel. We must change the narrative that any criticism of the current Israeli government’s actions equals being anti-Israel. The only way forward is through honest, open, painful, and complicated conversation. The current devastation in Gaza serves the Hamas goal of isolating Israel and does not serve the security interests of Israel.
Are we effectively supporting Israel if we only voice support for the actions of its current government, which further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages? Are we effectively supporting Israel if we question privately but never share our thoughts with others in our community? How can we continue to show love and support for the Israeli people while also publicly expressing concern regarding the current Israeli government’s actions?
Many of our Israeli friends and family have been asking these types of questions as well. Some suggest that as American Jews, we have no right to voice opinions about Israeli policy from the safety of our American armchairs. We respectfully disagree. Our love for Israel is not passive: it requires caring deeply about its long-term security and moral standing. Just as family members can disagree while maintaining loyalty, diaspora Jews can express concern about policies we believe may not serve Israel's best interests. We must change the narrative that any criticism of the current Israeli government’s actions equals being anti-Israel.
Now, more than ever, we must join our Israeli friends and family in asking how our Jewish values can guide us through this difficult time. Therefore, we ask for a new kind of conversation in the Jewish community: one that makes space for grief, disagreement, and hope, and helps us reconnect across generations in pursuit of a shared and just future. We ask those in our local Jewish community to specifically request our local Jewish leaders to create space and opportunity for this new conversation. This dialogue will allow us to come together to ask the tough questions, think strategically, and examine the realities faced in Israel and in Gaza—all within the deeply shared values of our Judaism.
We seek dialogue and are compelled to speak now because the hostages are still held captive. There is immense human suffering in Gaza including acute hunger, lack of medical care and the ongoing loss of innocent life that shows no signs of ending. These realities, combined with the need for long-term security through diplomatic rather than purely military means, demand that we move beyond silence toward meaningful conversation in our community.
We ask members of our Jewish community for thoughtful, respectful discussion. This can and should include op-eds and letters in community journals and newsletters, which can have a wider and more lasting impact than in-person dialogue. In the tradition of the Talmud and disagreement for the sake of heaven, respectful dialogue is a way of showing care for one another and faith in our shared future.
As we approach the High Holy Days, when our tradition calls us to honest self-reflection and repair of relationships, let us have the courage to begin these essential
conversations. We look forward to our community leaders providing opportunities for these complicated but necessary discussions.
Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Steering Committee,
Irwin Venick, Chair
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The full position statement of the Nashville Jewish Social Justice Roundtable can be found at: https://www.jsjrnashville.org/on-gaza.html
