What regular Israelis can do to help our war of survival, soldiers, and wounded

The frontline may be too far, or we may lack weapons, but we all can help

I want to focus on immaterial things we can all do.

Keep the Unity

Too many thought (erroneously) that we were divided. That’s better now.

Don’t hate the enemy too much—it can flip into hating Jews. Love Jews.

Think and Speak Well About All Jews

Interrupt maligning Jews so often that when you say something degrading, everyone around you will stop you.

If you’re not a judge or historian after the war, why judge anyone? Does it help you to assign blame and guilt? It’s so destructive for brotherhood.

Blame, if you must, the perpetrators (terrorists) or G^d.

When we get to elect new leaders, vote for those you feel good about and stay positive. Don’t talk about the others.

Take an example from our typical funerals. We bestow gratefulness and honor on the murdered and talk about our heartache but are not angry.

Be Happy and Friendly

Worrying doesn’t help. And if you want to do it anyway, as a hobby or addiction or so, why not do it in your free time, in private, where you don’t bother others with it? Especially, don’t burden your kids with your pain!

Prepare for the worst, and pray for the best. After you have prepared yourself for the worst-case scenario, which hopefully will never happen, be a source of lightheartedness (bordering silliness), free attention, generosity, energy, positivity, joy, optimism, and calmness. Living and living well is the best ‘revenge.’

So many people are down or angry, desperate or hopeless. Return some light to their eyes. Sing with them. Dance with them. Smile at them.

Cry, Pray, And Protect Yourself

There’s really no substitute for shedding tears. Most of them are long overdue anyway.

There is so much we can do instead of crying: distraction, including yoga, working like crazy, helping others, making drama or blaming others, sleeping too much or too little, doing drugs, overeating, being depressed, non-stop talking, obsessive listening to/watching the news, etc.

Yet, everything goes better when you cry the tears you need to cry.

By praying, I don’t mean rattling off Hebrew texts. I mean pouring out your heart.

But prayer is not only beseeching the P^wers That Be. It’s also connecting yourself to It, to our Peoplehood, and our history of survival and values.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from looking at stills and clips that really will hurt you. Unless you are from the International Court of Justice to track down war criminals, don’t damage your mental health. You can read about what happened instead of listening to stressful voices. You may read what survivors said. You can listen to survivors, but stop when some drama starts (How can I go on living?). It’s understandable pain, but unless you’re their relative, friend, or therapist, you shouldn’t hurt your soul by it.

Don’t listen to the people who equate the pogrom with the Antisemitic outrage about Israel defending itself ethically. Unless you are a journalist or a blogger who can correct the false moral equivalence, switch it off.

Empathy and Generosity

We all have needs. But we all have hands, not just to receive or take (grab). They can also give and drop. We all have mouths but twice as many ears. When everyone gives, no one will be left empty-handed.

Don’t forget your own needs, though. When oxygen levels fall, first put on your own mask. But after that, help others. Do it for your sake—so you may look back and be pleased with what you did.

Upon a rocket alarm, go to the shelter. Don’t say you trust in G^d, Fate, or Destiny. You look left and right before crossing the street, no? Not because of the war, make/update your Last Will. Don’t fight with anyone. Peace is a valuable asset, in our heads, homes, families, communities, and nation.