We are Jews First

An Israeli friend said to me, "This (Yom Hazikaron) is a very sad day for Israelis." 

So I said to him, "In the US (and I'm sure across the world), Jews commemorate Yom Hazikaron also. It's sad for us too, because we are all Jews first."

We're all Jews first and we forget that all the time.

We aren't American or Israeli or South African, or British, or Irish, or Greek or Spanish.

We aren't black hat, white kippa, kippa sruga, or black velvet.

We aren't shaitels, tichels, hats or bare headed.

We aren't democrats, republicans, leftists, right-winged, conservative or liberal.

We aren't them and us.

We are just Jews.

First and foremost, we share an incredible legacy and an incredible bond because we are brothers and sisters.

It's not that just Israelis were killed in the war, it's Jews that were killed.

We are Jews.

You and me.

And the guy next to us.

We are Jews.

You are hurting, so we are hurting.

Because we are all Jews.

No matter where we are in the world, what other values and beliefs we ascribe to and what other cultures we are part of.

We are all Jews.

You must not forget.

We are on the same side. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

Because, most importantly, we are Jews.