By Rabbi Ari Jun
Guest Columnist
Last week, something truly incredible happened. Approximately 2% of the world’s Jewish community gathered in Washington, D.C., to support Israel, rally for freeing the hostages taken on October 7, and decry the radical increase in antisemitism. I was there — in fact, I’m writing this while sitting on the plane home — and I want to share three reflections on this unique experience before any of it slips from memory.
One: The scale of the gathering was monumental. It’s hard to describe how many people were there. Let me express it as such — it was the largest gathering of Jews in American history. Or alternatively: During much of Jewish medieval history, the world population of Jews didn’t much exceed 1,000,000 — only about 3 times the size of last week’s crowd. Or, like fractions? Around 1 of every 25 Jews in the US was there.
You might ask, why do the numbers matter so much? Here’s why: Our elected representatives are receiving substantial pressure to cease supporting Israel. This gathering sent them a clear image of where America’s head and heart really are on the topic.
Two: By the time you are reading this article, I trust that we’ll all have seen video clips of the best (and worst) lines spoken from the stage during the rally. However, from my mid-mob spot back about 100,000 people, the speakers weren’t what I considered the focus of the event. I think, too, for most people there, the main stage didn’t really matter all that much.
If not the speakers and their words, what was important? The community. Tuesday, November 14 was the biggest game of Jewish geography ever, and it demonstrated quite how close this national community is. I loved not just connecting with my old friends (bumping into many of them, without planning to), but also making new ones. Doing so was easy because we were all there for the same thing. We treated each other with dignity, respect, and mutual admiration for how important our cause was.
Third: Baruch ha-Shem, we behaved ourselves! Before the event, I worried about how our community might potentially not turn out compassionately. I wanted to be sure that the March was a moment when the Jewish community could model the right way to fight for one’s family abroad. No hate, no bigoted signs, just avowed, respectful advocacy — and that’s what we had. This was a moment in the history books for our people, and I think it’s one about which we can all be proud.
Now, incidentally, after the events of the day concluded, I was dragged back to reality before too long. Not only had there been three antisemitic incidents in Cincinnati the day before, but there were two more that very day, and they all demanded the JCRC’s (and my) attention. It was a rude reminder that my three observations relate to a symbolic show of communal strength rather than a concrete triumph.
I don’t share this final thought to bring you down, but to enunciate one thing clearly: We have work to do. On Tuesday the 14th, we planted the flag. We showed America and the rest of the world what we stand for, how serious we are, and how powerful our network is. With that behind us, our work can continue, spurred on by these important truths.
