From New Jersey to Gaza

There’s a young man I’d like you to meet. He learns in a modern Orthodox yeshiva in northern Israel and he’s a paratrooper in the IDF, having served in Gaza during his two years in the military. When he finished his active duty, he was placed in the reserves, known in Hebrew as Miluim. That was a short several months ago. His only recent obligation to the army was to join with several of his chevrah and kasher some base kitchens before Pesach. He didn’t complain, the way I do when that job is mine to perform at home.

Did I mention that he’s a graduate of the Frisch School in Paramus? After graduation, he decided to move to Israel and become a citizen. His goal was to serve his new country and his dream was to become a paratrooper. His arduous preparation for that position involved much physical preparation, which he undertook with tremendous enthusiasm. Before long he was drafted and successfully became a paratrooper. He wore the famous red beret.

Yes. He did jump out of moving airplanes!

And did I tell you he’s our amazing grandson?

Now I’d like to tell you how I feel about all this! My husband and I, both born in the United States of America, also are longtime citizens of Israel. Over 50 years! We do indeed have dual loyalties, and we’re proud of that. Just as we can love all our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, we can easily love two countries. Why on earth not?

But just as any parent can criticize her children while still profoundly and deeply loving them, I am privileged to be free and able to criticize my countries, while simultaneously profoundly and deeply loving them. Why on earth not?

Lately, I feel an urgent calling to share my angst about both the United States and Israel. Recently the situation in both countries has become untenable.

I could never imagine that America would quickly degenerate to the level where we now find ourselves. Its purported leadership is an unmitigated disaster, where self-aggrandizement and greed are the operating forces. It is hopeless to believe that the Trump administration will get better. It is realistic to expect it to continue to deteriorate. I only wish you or I had a solution. We don’t. No one does. Trump should have gone into acting. He would have been perfect as the Godfather, a role that comes effortlessly to him. And for those of you who probably agree, but voted for him anyway, thinking he’d be good for Israel, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you to think again.

But what about Israel? What about a young, idealistic paratrooper who has now been called back to active service? Can I remain proud and yet still be overcome with pain and worry? Is this the fulfillment of the Jewish life and commitment that he has been seeking? Is this the Jewish life that my husband and I have led our children and grandchildren into?

Most urgently, is Israel fighting a war without purpose or rationale?

I feel overwhelming anguish when I think about the hostages and hear people in the Netanyahu government place their rescue low on their list of priorities. As they do. If I had any power, they would be clearly priority number one. We are the people who have always said that saving one life is akin to saving the whole world. Do we no longer believe that?

We are the people who have said never again — again and again and again. We are the people who chastised the Allies, who fought for peace in World War II but neglected to bomb the railways leading to the concentration camps. Could those in power not see that every day without rescue was a death sentence for the uncountable victims, mainly Jews? We did not want to wait for victory. We wanted the prisoners freed immediately. Our complaints went on deaf ears.

And now, for these past many months since October 7, 2023, innocent hostages have suffered incredible cruelty at the hands of Hamas. It continues endlessly, without mercy. I had the faith that our government, our Israeli warriors, would have mounted a dramatic and quick and brilliant rescue operation. I remember Entebbe, which was so inspirational, so magnificent, so bold and beautiful. I am in disbelief that our relatives, our friends, our fellow Jews, and many others from foreign lands who accidentally wound up being imprisoned with our people, continue to languish in claustrophobic tunnels, being abused and starved, often until death is their only escape. Where are their saviors, the heroes of today?

The government, ironically under the control of Bibi Netanyahu, brother of the great warrior of Entebbe, Yoni Netanyahu, has lost its way. The PM speaks of a total victory over Hamas. This will never happen. What will happen is that the hostages will not survive and many more soldiers will die in battle. Innocent lives will be lost to futility and bombast.

These are soldiers who want to live their best lives, their only lives. At this moment they are deprived of normalcy, as they train to do battle and practice weaponry, removed from their families, their homes, their careers, their aspirations, their dreams.

Needless to say, Hamas must never ever be allowed to attack Israel again. It’s time for permanent vigilance, remembering well without sacrificing the noble lives of our hostages, our soldiers, and our people for a war that has become political and unjustified. It’s time for a return to the idealism which built our country, the country that our grandson, the paratrooper, and his cohort honor and defend until this moment.

It’s time to end this war.

Rosanne Skopp of West Orange is a wife, mother of four, grandmother of 14, and great-grandmother of nine. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and a dual citizen of the United States and Israel. She is a lifelong blogger, writing blogs before anyone knew what a blog was! She welcomes email at rosanne.skopp@gmail.com

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