Blue and White: Shmuel Sackett

I recently visited a kindergarten in northern Israel. The reason I traveled there was to see the “ganenet” (kindergarten teacher) in action, who happens to be my daughter Tova. For the past eight years, Tova has been a shining example for 32 kids each year (minimum), and my wife and I went to see her “home-away-from-home.” Knowing that I have lots of experience speaking before crowds, Tova asked me to teach them a few things about Yitzchak and Rivkah – the topic she had been focusing on for several weeks – and I happily agreed.

Instead of apologizing and feeling guilty about who we are, the Jewish people need to stand proud and begin educating the world. I would begin by pointing out how the founding of America was inspired and motivated by many of our Jewish leaders.

The term “Jewish leadership” is tossed around quite frequently. We long for strong and proud leaders, but we can’t seem to find them. We question ourselves why this is so difficult and invent answers that aren’t true. Let me ask this question directly: Why is it so challenging to find people capable of leading the Jewish Nation? We build billion-dollar companies, have incredible scientific minds, and are geniuses in Torah wisdom, but we can’t find solid leaders?? Why is that so?? Here’s the answer: It’s because we’re looking in the wrong place!

The world can’t figure something out: Why are Jews in the Diaspora helping Israel in enormous proportions and – even more unbelievable – why, specifically now, are more Jews talking about aliyah than ever before? A good friend of mine, who is a real estate broker in Israel, told me that his phone is “ringing off the hook” (an expression that anyone under 30 has no idea what it means!). He said, “Shmuel, I really shouldn’t say this – but this war is the best thing that happened to my business!” Why is that? Over 1,200 Jews are slaughtered in one day, 4,000 are wounded, over 200 taken hostage, missiles are flying all over the country, 300,000 men and women have been called to the army, a war is going on… and people want to move here? Yes, it’s perfectly normal, and allow me to explain.

Across the Jewish world, thousands of shuls, yeshivos, and minyanim are saying the prayer for the IDF soldiers. Now – more than ever – this prayer is meaningful, significant, and very emotional. As I say these words each day, I see faces of beautiful young men who will never be returning home. Each morning, as I turn on my phone and look at the news, my heart breaks: a young father from Yitzhar, a medical student from Tel Aviv, a lone soldier from France, a new immigrant from New Jersey, a 53-year-old IDF commander from Petach Tikvah, and a 19-year-old new recruit from Eilat – from every city in Israel, every demographic group, every level of observance. A dear friend told me that these soldiers are today’s “korbanos” – unblemished sacrifices who have been offered on the altar.

October 7, 2023, will be remembered as the day that changed Israel forever. From the first news report right up to this very moment, world Jewry “stepped up to the plate” and shared a tremendous burden with fellow Jews in Israel. From unprecedented donations of money and supplies to helping fight evil on social media, Jews – in every part of the world – assisted in countless ways. And we sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It is now time for us to return the favor.