It’s been another long and significant week for Ameinu and indeed for all of world Jewry.

As Israel’s war against Hamas enters its sixth week, Ameinu remains steadfast in our call to release all of the kidnapping victims and we continue to pray for the safety of all innocents, Israeli and Palestinian alike.

On Tuesday, Ameinu members from all over the United States, came together with nearly 300,000 others in Washington DC to show our support for Israel. The full spectrum of American Judaism was on display, and our presence highlighted the importance of having a progressive voice both in the crowd and on the stage.  When we learned Monday night that CUFI’s John Hagee would address the crowd on Tuesday, I wrote a note to the March organizers questioning the inclusion of such a divisive individual at a rally on unity.  Nonetheless, on Tuesday, we were proud to be present on the Mall and hear some inspiring speeches and focus on the positive aspects of the largest gathering of American Jews in history.

As many of you have doubtlessly heard by now, five and half weeks after October 7, Israel's forensic experts have established that Vivian Silver, thought to be a hostage in Gaza, was killed by Hamas terrorists in her home on KIbbutz Be'eri on that black day. Vivian was a special friend of Ameinu — during the early days of our formation, the Ameinu board developed a strategic relationship with the Jewish-Bedouin organization she co-directed in the Negev, AJEEC-NISPED. Ameinu missions visited their projects, we raised funds when their Beer Sheva volunteer center was firebombed and we hosted Vivian and her co-director Amal El-Sana in a variety of cities in the U.S. for speaking engagements. After her retirement, Vivian helped found Women Wage Peace and she asked Ameinu to help them on their initial fundraising efforts in the States. We were proud and happy to take on the role. We visited with Vivian on our 2019 Journey to Israel to be inspired by her work across the border with Gazans.

Our president, Kenneth Bob, delivered a eulogy at her funeral at Kibbutz Gezer yesterday, which was attended by over 2000 people, including family, friends, kibbutznikim, fellow political activists and more.  I am sure in the future he will share more thoughts with us on Vivian’s legacy. Although we are deep in mourning, we must honor her memory and not give up on our work for peace and social justice.

A tradition has started over the last month to set an empty seat for a hostage at a Shabbat table. In my house, we have added Zemer Nugeh a poem written by Rachel to our Shabbat Songs:

Will you hear my voice my far-away one

Will you hear my voice where-ever you are

A voice calling with strength, crying in my blood

Over time it sends a blessing.

Whatever your custom, may we all find a way this Shabbat to reflect and find a moment of peace.

Nomi Colton-Max

Chair of Executive Committee and Vice President

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