One of the most common statements that students have made to me since the outbreak of this war is, “I feel so distant and I just want to do something”. We watch as events in Israel unfold and never before have we felt so far away. So far away and yet completely connected in heart and soul. These are our people; these people are our family. We are one people with one heart – Am Echad, B’Lev Echad.
And when our family is hurting, we want to protect them, we want to do whatever we can to help.
But what can we, here in Sydney, possibly do? Over the last week-and-a-half, Moriah has proved what it can do.
The first place we looked to was tefillah, prayer. We gathered together at the start of this term and collectively we called out to G-d. We prayed together for peace and security in our homeland. We prayed for the protection of our soldiers, of civilians and of the hostages taken to Gaza. As we gathered together as a school, we knew that we were also joined by Jewish people the world over, together we pray and together we called out: Am Yisrael Chai!
We acted by reaching out to our Israeli soldiers, to let them know we are thinking of them and praying for them. Our Moriah students wrote dozens of letters and messages of hope and support that would go directly to the IDF soldiers. We have heard back from some of these soldiers who were touched by the letters. It goes a long way to know that they have our support all the way on the other side of the world.
We acted by learning and asking questions. We ensured that our students and staff have a safe space to ask any question they have about the current conflict, the history behind it, and what we may expect in the coming weeks or months. Moriah students have a thirst for knowledge and we created opportunities for our students to stay informed and up to date. Our students then went further and have arranged optional lunchtime learning and Q&A groups, students teaching one another about the history of Israel and of the conflict, inviting teachers to share in these conversations alongside them.
We are acting by raising money for Israel, for those impacted by terror. We have had an unprecedented number of students organising fundraising campaigns and collection drives. On Sunday, our Moriah students spent their weekend joining the UIA phone campaign, assisting in raising much-needed funds for UIA’s emergency appeal, of which, 100% of donations will go to the Victims of Terror Fund, Israel’s approved first responder in the recovery process of families impacted by acts of terror and violence.
On Thursday, we are holding Tzedakah Day. The aim of the day is for every single student to be united in giving. The money raised on Thursday will be divided between UIA and MDA. Students are welcome to give whatever they are able to, no amount is too small. More important than the amount is the action of giving, of being part of something that can make a difference.
We act by increasing our mitzvot and our acts of kindness towards one another. We know that this is a difficult time for all of us, there are heightened emotions for all within our community. It is so important to make a deliberate effort to treat each other with kindness, a smile, a hug, or simply asking “are you okay?” goes a long way.
On Thursday evening our entire community will gather together to perform a challah bake in the memory of those who have been killed, praying for the safe return of those taken hostage and the speedy recovery of those injured.
On Thursday morning, there will also be a challah bake in Primary School for Years K-6. The mitzvah of challah aims to elevate the mundane and bring extra spirituality into the world. All these extra mitzvot and actions are felt and make an impact.
We can act by showing pride. We are proud Jews and we are proud of Israel. Each Moriah student on Thursday will receive a blue string to wear on their wrist and remind them of Israel and to show their support. We wear our uniforms, kippot and magen davids and we hold our heads high.
This shabbat in shule, we will read the story of the tower of Bavel. This short story begins by saying, “the whole earth was of one language and of common purpose.” This type of unity sounds like an ideal state for the world to be in, to have complete unity. However, the story tells us that this unity centred around negative aspirations and so to overcome this the people had to be divided. Unity is wonderful but only if it is accompanied by positive goals, united in a mission to bring goodness and morality to the world. We, the Jewish people, can stand proud, currently we are united, but more than that, we know that we are united with a moral purpose. Defending our Jewish homeland, praying for peace and for the safety of civilians on both sides of this conflict.
We will continue to do all of these things and more. We will continue to create opportunities for our students, staff and families to show our unbreakable support for, and connection to Israel. We will act and we will stand proud.
Am Yisrael Chai.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Talya Wiseman is the Head of Jewish Life, High School, at Moriah College in Queens Park, NSW.
moriahcollegeblog.com 