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I grew up with the mantra “Never Again”, the phrase readily and eagerly tossed as the response to the Holocaust. I firmly believed in that mantra. Then came 10.27. About a week and a half later, I had been invited to our communal Kristallnacht commemoration, which recalls the 48-hour state-sanctioned pogroms in 1938 that, according to some historians, marks the official beginning of the Holocaust. German police officers cordoned off the burning synagogues, to keep the Aryan citizens safe, and let them burn down. We never thought that we would see that again, and although the events in Amsterdam last week were not state-sanctioned, which is what historically has defined a pogrom, the absence of the Amsterdam police is very troubling, as is the growth of what many have labeled “the global intifada”. This is not generally state-sanctioned violence against Jews around the world, but the manifestation of Jew hatred in its most violent form.

Permit me to return to the Kristallnacht event in 2018. I was asked to say a few words after the program, which I believe might have been held in the Byham Theatre. A dear rabbinic friend had come into town for forty-eight hours to just sit with me and support me, of which I remain grateful. Having not seen the performance prior to that evening, I had no idea what to say afterwards. As I made my way to the microphone, “Never Again” rattled around in my brain. To summarize my remarks, I shared the above opening sentence, and then told the audience that I could no longer use that phrase, for it had happened again. “Never Again” died on 10.27, to be replaced by “Yet Again”. Sadly, that is what we are experiencing in America and across the globe. So where is the hope?

In the aftermath of 10.27, you should be aware of the incredible turnout and support from people of all faiths in greater Pittsburgh. Every house of worship that I can think of stood with us, offering a place to pray and assemble, and whatever support we needed. It was truly a Pittsburgh extended-play moment. You may not be aware of the outreach of the State of Israel, which I’d like to share:

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called me from a financial conference in Romania, to express not only the condolences of all of Israel, but firm support.
• The Western Wall in Jerusalem had a laser-light display in support of us for a number of days.
• Ambassador Ron Dermer came to Pittsburgh and attended several funerals. He personally introduced me to President Trump. I recall at Cecil and David Rosenthal’s funerals, he stood there assisting people while they shoveled. I handed him a small bag of Israeli earth, and he was very moved to sprinkle some over both of their graves. IT was a powerful moment.
• Consul General Dani Dayan spent the week in Pittsburgh, attending every funeral and shiva minyan. He was just an incredible rock of support for all of us.
• The then president of The Jewish Agency, now president of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, joined us for our communal Shabbat services that following week at Beth Shalom and spoke.
• Minister Naftali Bennett, who served as Prime Minister from 2021-2022, visited Pittsburgh.
• At least twice, trauma teams from Israel with comfort dogs visited Pittsburgh. Their presence provided great comfort to us, and likely encouraged the city of Pittsburgh to acquire comfort dogs as well.
• Adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial in Israel, a memorial to the victims of 10.27 was erected.
• Our sister cities of Karmiel-Misgav also erected a memorial

There are likely more people and events, and I apologize for any that I have unknowingly omitted. However, the support of the State of Israel brought to us was just incredible. They mourned with us as they understood.

When we think about natural disasters around the world, such as floods, earthquakes and fires, the State of Israel is one of the first countries in the world to offer on-the-ground support, such as search and rescue teams and mobile hospitals. Even countries where the State of Israel has no relationship with have received the same offer. It should be a great source of pride for all who care about the State of Israel that this is her standard operating procedure. Yet it pained me, as I’m sure it did many, that during this past Shabbat, despite that El-Al, Israel’s national carrier, does not fly on Shabbat, three commercial aircraft were sent to Amsterdam to bring home the Israeli soccer team, Israeli fans who traveled to the game, as well as the wounded Israelis. Once again, due to the glaring absence of any governmental assistance, Israel took care of her own, as she proudly stood, albeit alone in the world, reminding us that wherever Jews are in trouble, not to worry. Israel has our back. The tragic admission of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, that the Netherlands failed the Jews during WWII, and failed them again, is an indictment against a country that should have learned the lessons from its most famous citizen, Anne Frank. Sadly, they did not. A serious soul-searching is necessary in the Netherlands. I await their repentance.