October 8th

Tonight, together with our community, I watched the film October 8th, and since the credits rolled, I’ve been carrying around a heaviness, a quiet ache that’s difficult to shake. As a rabbi, I’ve spoken many times about tragedy, resilience, and the complex layers of grief and hope embedded in Jewish identity. But watching October 8th wasn’t an intellectual exercise; it felt visceral, deeply personal, and painfully raw.

The film’s stark portrayal of the day after October 7th wasn’t just about reliving the trauma—it confronted me with profound questions about memory, justice, and our collective responsibility to truth. I was struck by how quickly the world moves past catastrophe, leaving behind shattered families and unresolved anguish. Watching the survivors recount their stories reminded me of how fragile our communal bonds can be, yet how necessary they are for healing.

Throughout the film, I found myself wrestling with themes of responsibility and moral clarity. What is our obligation to remember, not just intellectually, but emotionally—to feel the weight of others’ suffering deeply enough to inspire change? How do we balance the need for justice with the capacity for compassion, recognizing that healing requires both accountability and understanding? The stories of survivors showed the immense strength it takes to carry on, reminding me again of the resilience embedded in Jewish history and identity.

I also found myself reflecting on the role of storytelling itself, how narrative shapes our memory and our collective consciousness. The power of these firsthand accounts can’t be overstated; they bring truth to life, offering a glimpse into the raw humanity behind historical events. Yet, I wonder how we safeguard these narratives from becoming mere background noise as the news cycle churns onward.

I walked away wondering how we can better hold space for these stories, how to ensure that these wounds remain visible enough to spur meaningful action, yet healed enough to foster genuine hope. For now, I’m left with a renewed commitment to teach, listen, and speak out—to ensure the world doesn’t simply turn the page. Because the day after tragedy isn’t merely a date on a calendar; it’s a place we return to again and again until we’ve truly faced it and begun to repair.

I’ll share more reflections soon, but for tonight, I’m deeply grateful to Eli Lake and Dr. Ari Kohen for joining us, sharing his insights, and helping our community engage thoughtfully and meaningfully with these critical themes.