Over Shabbat, I was sitting with a friend of mine, an Israeli artist, and her brother when our conversation turned to the way Jews outside of Israel responded after October 7.

My friend told me that following the massacre, she experienced a significant influx of purchases from North America. People were deliberately seeking out Israeli artists, wanting to support Israeli businesses and strengthen the Israeli economy during an unimaginably difficult time.

Her art had not changed. Her talent had not changed. Her need to earn a living had not suddenly appeared.

What had changed was the desire of Jews around the world to find a tangible way to stand with Israel.

Her brother, who produces benchers, then shared his own story. Before October 7, a customer had specifically asked him to remove three Harachaman passages relating to the State of Israel from an order.

Then October 7 happened.

Although the benchers had already been sent to print, the woman asked him to put the passages back in.

The words had not changed. Their meaning had not changed. But something had shifted. Israel was no longer a distant subject that could be removed from the page. She had become personal again.

Both stories stayed with me.

The solidarity that emerged after October 7 was extraordinary. Jews around the world donated, volunteered, prayed, sent supplies, visited Israel and deliberately purchased Israeli products. For many who felt helpless from afar, supporting an Israeli artist or business became a tangible way of saying, “I am with you.”

Those gestures mattered. They still matter.

I do not want to diminish that awakening or criticize the people who........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)