By Rabbi Jason Nevarez
(Photo: Beth Israel Quarterly)
SAN DIEGO — As with many of you, I’ve been following the unfolding situation closely, speaking with loved ones in Israel (including those from our community), and reflecting not only on the war itself but on a deeper shift happening in Israel and across the [Jewish] world.
Since October 7th, Israel has undergone a transformation. For years, it lived with the threat of surrounding enemies—Hezbollah in the north, Hamas in the south, Iranian proxies across the region—trusting in deterrence. That strategy collapsed the moment Israelis realized that their enemies weren’t deterred by death, rather driven by it. Hamas’s use of civilians as shields, and Iran’s open threats to destroy Israel while seeking nuclear capability, revealed the limits of deterrence in the face of martyrdom.
Since then, Israel has acted decisively. It is no longer tolerating the tightening noose. Hezbollah has been weakened, Syria destabilized, the Houthis degraded. The message is clear: Israel won’t wait for threats to mature. As Golda Meir once said, “We can forgive the Arabs for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children.” Her words still speak to the deep moral complexity of war—and to Israel’s painful but necessary shift from restraint to resolve.
At the same time, the diaspora—especially American Jews—has undergone its own awakening. For decades, we sought to be accepted through our deeds, our innovations, our pursuit for justice – the signature virtues of Torah. But the wave of antisemitism post-October 7th, from both the far-right and parts of the progressive left, has shaken us. We’ve realized how deeply we care for one another, and how much pride we draw from our Jewish identity. And to put it simply, I, and perhaps we, are done apologizing for who we are.
With the above in mind, we also continue to carry deep pain—pain for the Israeli families still waiting for their loved ones to come home from Gaza, pain for the innocent lives caught in the violence, and pain for the moral wounds that come with this kind of war. We pray not only for victory over those who seek our destruction, but for a day when our hostages are returned, the people of Gaza can rebuild, and a different future might be possible for all who live in this region.
This week’s Torah portion, Shelach Lecha, reminds us that our future depends not on the challenges we face, but on the courage we bring. The spies saw giants; only Joshua and Caleb believed we could rise to meet them. Today, both Israelis and Jews worldwide are choosing resolve over fear.
We pray for wisdom, for compassion, and for the strength to remain steadfast in our values and united in our purpose.
May the One who makes peace in the high heavens
make peace for us, for all Israel, and for all who dwell on earth.
And let us say: Amen.
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If you would like to offer information to Jewish/non-Jewish family/friends who may not fully understand the complexity of this moment, feel free to send this letter, along with the following primer to better understanding this Jewish moment, found here.
Also, consider attending the webinar State of Emergency: Israel and Iran at War, presented by the Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative, tomorrow, Wednesday, June 18 at 10:00 am. Click here to register.
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Rabbi Jason Nevarez is spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Israel.