Rylee Pearlman

I pray for the innocent lives lost in the recent terrorist attacks in Israel.

   As a Jewish-American, I am scared.

   I am scared for my brothers and sisters in Israel. 

   I am scared for those celebrating my religion all over the world. 

   I am scared for my family. 

   I am scared for myself.  

   On Saturday, October 7th, Hamas (a terrorist organization) fired thousands of rockets into Israeli towns. Following the airstrikes, Hamas gunman breached the heavily guarded border in Israel and began killing, kidnapping, and raping innocent Israeli civilians. People were kidnapped from their own homes and taken as human collateral. 

   These horrific acts are being justified by people as “payback” for the long history between Palestine and Israel, but what many fail to realize is that Hamas does not represent Palestine for they are killing innocent Palestinians too. 

   In fact, Hamas is nothing more than a blood-thirsy terrorist organization whose mission is to kill. Kill Jews. Kill Palestinians. Just kill— nothing more, nothing less. 

   People supporting these atrocious crimes are backing terrorism. More than 1,200 Israelis have died, including children. Murdering innocent children is barbaric and outright disgusting. Furthermore, over 6,000 people are injured with an estimated 150 held captive.    

   I have never experienced such brutal antisemitism firsthand, but ever since Saturday, life in my small town has taken a turn. It’s now deemed “unsafe” to be in a large gathering of Jewish people— never in my life did I think it would be “unsafe” to gather with the community I’ve always told was “safe.”   

   I am scared to go to school. 

   I am scared to celebrate Shabbat.  

   I am scared to be who I am.

   The silence of friends, celebrities, and teachers speaks volumes to me and the rest of my community.. We see it, and we will remember it. Shame on those who sit in silence and ignore the problem. Shame on those who are standing up for Hamas because they believe it’s “only fair.” You are supporting terrorism, and that, in itself, is extremely repulsive. 

   Please reach out to your Jewish friends. I promise, we are all hurting right now and need as much support as we can get. 

   Spread kindness in the world and be a part of the solution— not the problem.