Many in the Jewish community will likely agree that there is little upon which we can agree. The age-old quip “two Jews with three opinions” seems more apt than ever before after the polarizing Israel-Hamas War in the wake of the unfathomable terrorist attack of October 7, 2023. Perhaps there is one sacrosanct and unifying idea around which we can all rally; namely, that it is more important now than ever before to engage in peace-loving interfaith events with other faith communities. The recent massacre at a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi beach is a horrific reminder that this need remains. What better way than this to offset both the sinat chinam – baseless hatred and toxic infighting – that seems to permeate the Jewish world, and the monstrous antisemitism that serve as an existential threats to Jewish survival.  Failing to do so lends victory to extremist forces on all sides, including the perpetrators of any acts of terror. Succeeding in redoubling multifaith efforts also is the noblest way of honoring heroes like 43-year-old Muslim husband and father and fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, who risked life and limb to save lives at the Menorah lighting at Bondi. On a personal level, it also honors the sacrifices of Righteous Among the Nations like Polish Catholic farmer Michal Cegelski, who gave his life to save the lives of this author’s grandmother and her three sisters hiding on his farm during the Holocaust. 

Inspiring organizations such as Combatants for Peace........

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