Friday, October 31

I come from a very close-knit family. There is nothing that my siblings and I wouldn’t do for each other. Each one of us is unique, we’ve pursued different paths in life, but we are as close as can be. Our parents always taught us that, no matter what, family comes first. So none of us has ever been able to relate to broigez in a family. The word is from the Hebrew “be-Rogez” (in anger), and there are varying levels of broigez, but the term generally refers to a situation when people are not talking to each other.*

With that in mind, something I heard this week both dumbfounded and saddened me. Two Israelis I know, a brother and a sister, are not talking. They’re both in their 60s and have no other siblings. When I asked the reason for the broigez, I was told that it’s political. One of them supports Netanyahu, the other doesn’t. I have such trouble with this. Really? Is that actually a reason to stop talking?

Do you remember when the comedian Ellen Degeneres was spotted in 2019 at a sports event, sitting and laughing with former president George W. Bush? Her fans were outraged and told her so.  Her response was, “I’m friends with George Bush. In fact, I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have. We’re all different and I think that we’ve forgotten that that’s OK.” 

How can anyone not agree with that? My American family members range from liberal, woke, tattooed, and pierced Millennials to super conservative Gen Z’ers who work for, and love, their republican governmental employers. Yet, everyone communicates and gets along. People can have differing opinions and still be civil, still be friends, still avoid broigez in the family.

At this time in history, Jewish people are waiting for the return of the bodies, praying for peace, wondering what the future will bring, and questioning politicians in every direction. Let us not forget what is really important. Whether we love Bibi or not, whether we’re kibbutzniks, Jerusalemites or Tel Aviv city slickers, whether we want to move to Israel, Canada, the USA, or the moon, we all need to remember to be there for one another. Jews are family, and family comes first. Each one of us may be different, but that is really OK. 

Am Yisrael Chai!