On October 9, 1994, Nachshon Wachsman, a corporal in the IDF, was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and held hostage for six days. The Wachsman family asked that Jews say T’hilim for the safe return of Nachshon. In addition, Esther Wachsman, Nachshon’s mother, asked that women light an extra candle for Nachshon when they lit Shabbos candles that week. Thousands of women lit candles for the first time on that fateful Friday night. Jews all over the world were united in their wish to save Nachshon. We were one.
On Thursday night, 24 hours before the deadline set by Hamas for Israel to release terrorists, people davened in shuls, schools, and community centers all over the world. One hundred thousand Jews davened together at the Kosel. Religious, secular, left-wing, right-wing, and every type of Jew davened together on Nachshon’s behalf in an unusual display of unity. Tragically, on Friday, October 14, Nachshon was killed, along with Captain Nir Poraz, leader of the failed rescue attempt. The sense of unity that permeated those intense days withered over time.
On June 12, 2014, Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Fraenkel were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists when hitchhiking at a bus stop in the settlement of Gush Etzion. From the moment the abduction became publicized, the three boys became everyone’s boys. For 18 days, Jews the world over united in t’filah, begging Hashem that the boys be found alive and well. Unfortunately, that was not meant to be. On June 30, after extensive searches, their bodies were found in a field in Halhul, north of Chevron.
Two weeks later, a Brooklyn couple named their baby Eyal Gilad Naftali. I recall hearing a recording of the naming and thinking we were united at last. This time, for the long-term. But I was wrong. It didn’t take long before our walls went back up. The Jerusalem Unity Prize was established by the boys’ families, along with Gesher, an organization that works to strengthen the bonds between the different sectors of the Jewish people. The prize is an attempt to perpetuate the spirit of Jewish unity that existed during the time of the kidnappings, but, unfortunately, isn’t always evident.
Then came the year 2023. The major challenges that Israel needs to deal with fell by the wayside as some within our ranks became consumed with hate. The intense division was unparalleled. Who in their wildest dreams could have imagined Jews preventing other Jews from davening on Yom Kippur? In Israel! The flames of discord spread like wildfire and were burning out of control.
All of that animosity came to a screeching halt on October 7. Sensing our vulnerability due to lack of unity, our enemy knew exactly when to attack us. There is no need for me to write about the terrible things that happened and the challenges we still face each day. We all know. We are living through one of Israel’s most difficult times.
But once again, the events of October 7 brought us together. The horrific massacre reminded us of who our real enemies are. It reminded us of who our brothers and sisters are. The spirit of heroism and kindness displayed by and for all members of klal Yisrael was inspiring in contrast to the painful vile rhetoric that preceded it. No area of chesed was untapped. Giving, sharing, and caring were the orders of the day. No more left-wing or right-wing. Just brothers. Ahavat Yisrael!
This time we hoped and believed our spirit would stick. And it did. For a while. But it seems that we are seeing cracks once again. Tension is building up along the fault of our nation, threatening to break us apart, chas v’shalom. Media outlets publicize the hostility of our leaders. They promote their agendas and sow division. The anti-government demonstrations have returned. But many do not want to go back to the way things were on October 6. Some people are determined to grab hold of the unity we attained at the start of the war and prevent it from slipping through our fingers.
Several weeks ago, miluimnikim (reserve soldiers) who had returned from fighting in the war were disappointed to see the return of divisive speech. While serving, they had many conversations with their comrades about the political situation in Israel. Even when people had differences of opinion, the dialogue was always polite and respectful. My son confirms this. His many discussions with fellow soldiers from across the political spectrum while serving in Gaza were bonding experiences.
These miluimnikim (men, women, left-wing, right-wing, religious, and secular) have joined to form Tikkun (Amendment) 2024. It is a grassroots organization whose goal is to “take the discourse of brotherhood, trust, and responsibility that they met on the battlefield and apply it to the political field.” They understand that the biting rhetoric must be replaced with a new discourse free of division.” They request that the Knesset take responsibility for the massacre, return the mandate to the people, and head for new elections. They believe that a new generation of leaders must lead the country.
I don’t know who these people are. I strongly question the goal of having elections in the middle of a war. But the poisonous discourse must end. This is clear. The members of Tikkun 2024 will not be violent and won’t block roads. They will endorse those who promote unifying discourse and try to silence those who promote divisive discourse. Hopefully, this will be a step in the right direction.
A soldier who lost a leg in the war said that losing his leg was worthwhile because of the newfound unity triggered by the war. But now he worries that the unity is beginning to disintegrate. How can we let that happen? Chayalim have made great sacrifices on our behalf. The least we can do is to maintain our unity. If we are united, we will have what it takes to defeat our enemy, b’ezras Hashem. B’yachad n’natzei’ach!
Please continue to daven for the recovery of the wounded, the release of the remaining hostages, and the success and safe return of all chayalim and security personnel.
Suzie Steinberg, (nee Schapiro), CSW, is a native of Kew Gardens Hills and resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh who publishes articles regularly in various newspapers and magazines about life in general, and about life in Israel in particular. Her recently published children’s book titled Hashem is Always With Me can be purchased in local Judaica stores as well as online. Suzie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and would love to hear from you.
