The renowned Israeli novelist Amos Oz once wrote: “I have mixed feelings about
Jerusalem. It is fascinating, it is beautiful, it is tragic, and it is extremely attractive to al
kinds of fanatics… I find this fascinating, but I don’t think I would like to live in the
middle of this.”
Oz was speaking about Jerusalem, but he could have been referring to the current
emotional state of the Jewish people. If there is a phrase that encapsulates our
existential position it’s mixed feelings – we are uneasy, conflicted, uncomfortable or
simply discombobulated!
We are rejoicing that some of our people are coming home, relieved that the
terrible war is ceasing – even if it may only be a pause. Our hearts lifted to see Noa
Argamani and the sweep of yellow sashes in honour of the hostages at the Trump
inauguration. However, we are also filled with apprehension – fearful for the
remaining hostages, especially those not included in the first phase, and worried
about the support for Hamas and triumphalism on the streets of Gaza and the West
Bank. More than anything, we are sorrowful that nothing is the same anymore. It’s no
joy to live in the middle of this juncture of our history.
We are still so torn up by the upside-down world we have landed in since October 7.
Tragedy and a deep melancholy have invaded the once irrepressible Israeli spirit.
When Zohar Palti, former Mossad intelligence head was recently asked: “What’s
changed in Israel”, he responded with great simplicity: ‘‘We’re sad’’. Israel was close
to the top of the Global Happiness scale for many years. It’s hard to imagine that is
still the case – despite the remarkably resilient spirit of this nation at war and under
constant attack.
In Australia, we Jews are bewildered, disquieted, angry and ineffably saddened by
the ugly and pervasive antisemitism in this country we have always called home. We
are as befuddled as the first generation of Hebrews who, according to Genesis,
enjoyed warm acceptance as part of Egyptian society and participated in
enhancing it (“the land of Egypt was filled” with their contributions). Then they woke
up one day to find they were regarded as dangerous interlopers by the new
administration: “And there arose a new King in Egypt who didn’t know Joseph”.
It would have been impossible for the Egyptians to have forgotten about Joseph the
Jew – who had a meteoric rise from slave to Viceroy, and became the economic
“czar” who saved the country from drought and destitution! Frank Lowy (founder of
the Westfield Shopping empire) recently expressed perplexity that the Australia that
so warmly welcomed him as a 21-year-old immigrant after surviving the Shoah, is
witnessing such naked and vile antisemitism, seemingly oblivious of the contribution
he and countless other Jews made to this country – in business, politics, defence, the
arts and medicine.
Yet, alongside this toxically tragic mix, hope is still to be found. I meet it every day in
the words and actions of my fellow Australians; Christians, Hindus, First Peoples, and
ordinary Aussies who reach out in empathy and kindness.
Here is just one example – an Anglican minister at Darling Point sent this message to
all his congregants and friends regarding the current wave of antisemitism:
This is a moment when we, as their neighbours, must not turn a blind eye… First, pray
that these attacks stop and that our neighbours be able to worship in peace. Pray
that the perpetrators be brought to justice and pray that our governments take a
strong stance against these acts. Pray for the friends and colleagues that you know
who might be feeling afraid at this time.
Secondly, reach out to your friends, neighbours, and colleagues and let them know
that you are praying for them. Let them know that you are standing alongside
them… Thirdly, continue to contact our politicians to support them in taking a
strong stance against antisemitism.
Friends and allies like these provide us with hope that we may yet be able to move
beyond this era of mixed feelings to unequivocal expressions of joy and celebration
we have not experienced for the past 15 months
