| NOTE: I have written a book on the Israel–Hamas war which we are releasing as a free digital download. I invite you to get your copy here.
An initial four-day cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas took effect this morning in Gaza, a day later than originally planned. The deal was brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt. At this writing, there have been no reports of fighting for several hours, and sixty trucks carrying aid have entered Gaza from Egypt.
Thirteen hostages are to be released by Hamas today, along with an undisclosed number of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. The deal calls for Hamas to release fifty of the women and children it took hostage on October 7, and for Israel to release 150 imprisoned Palestinian women and teenagers. The exchange will occur in phases across the cease-fire. Israel said the truce would be extended by a day for every ten additional hostages released.
Hostilities are temporarily on hold in Gaza, but the shocking rise of antisemitism in the US is affecting many Jews in our country. When CNN asked Jews in America how they are dealing with antisemitism following Hamas’s October 7 invasion, some replied that they are hiding their kippahs, choosing not to wear their Star of David necklaces, and changing long-held traditions for religious holidays. Some are even afraid to visit their synagogue out of fear of being killed or harassed because of their religion.
For example, while Hanukkah begins in two weeks, Melissa Franklin has already decided she will not decorate her home for the holiday. “I just can’t see us doing it because I don’t want retaliation,” she said. “I don’t want vandalism on my home.”
“Give thanks always and for everything”
You may not be a Jew confronting the rising threat of antisemitism, but you are facing other challenges today. From billion-dollar disasters more numerous than ever before, to a long list of asteroids that could threaten us, to growing fears that we are at the beginning stages of World War III, there’s something in the news to frighten everyone.
For Thanksgiving to be a daily lifestyle rather than an annual holiday, we have to learn to give thanks every day, including our hardest days. |
