“Israel is fighting a war not only for its own survival, but for the survival of every civilized and freedom-loving country like ours.”
These were the words of Rabbi H. David Teitelbaum setting the tone for the Tisha B’Av commemoration ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor on Thursday, Aug. 3. Traditionally a day to remember the destruction of the first two temples in Jerusalem, this program instead focused on the crisis in Israel.
Framed by the memorial’s emaciated Holocaust sculptures lying in a heap outside the metal fence, speakers addressed the crowd of around 20 about the necessity of supporting Israel in what most described as the next world war. More than the windy weather sent a shiver through listeners as rabbis, history professors and the deputy consul general of Israel all explained the uncertain future of a peaceful world if current campaigns are not successful.
Teitelbaum, former executive director of the Board of Rabbis of Northern California, opened the event with what would become a familiar refrain, the justification of Israel’s actions and the unfortunate reality and danger for every other country.
“It has taken the international community too long to understand what Israel has understood for a long time,” Teitelbaum said. “Islamic terrorism is a global phenomenon, problem, scourge, and it demands a global response.”
Deputy Consul General of Israel Omer Caspi took Teitelbaum’s sentiment one step further.
“It’s not about orders, occupation or a national conflict,” Caspi explained. “It’s about the extreme ideology of jihadists who see no room for Israel, not only in the Middle East, but in the world.”
Caspi fervently argued against a cease-fire, which he believes would only strengthen Hezbollah. In addition, Caspi pushed the importance of uniting to fight this battle. More than ever, he said, Jews in different areas of Israel and around the world are coming together against such a strong external threat.
Rabbi Harry Manhoff, president of the Board of Rabbis, followed Caspi with a positive message about the resilience of the Jewish people. “Jews do not live alone,” he said, referring to the support Jews receive from many other groups.
After reading from the Reform prayerbook Gates of Prayer, Manhoff connected the situation in Israel with earlier tragedies. In light of the day, Manhoff encouraged the crowd: “We are a people that rebound from tragedy. We know we can grow in moments like this.”
Rabbi Jacob Traub had a more pessimistic view of the world events.
“I see the glass half empty,” Traub said. “Chances are, this is the beginning of a world war. Anyone who has a sense of history realizes that we all, meaning us and the Western world, are at war.”
Jewish Community Relations Council Director Rabbi Doug Kahn concluded the speeches with inspiring messages of the power of an individual and the need for people not to focus on the pain.
“We mourn and remember, but one thing we cannot do is despair,” Kahn said. “We have a duty not to succumb to despair or the sense of being overwhelmed and raise our voices.”
Kahn gave many examples of the “simple, everyday acts” that people can do to help, from encouraging people to write letters to their congressional representatives to calling a radio show and demanding fair coverage of the events.