Introducing TogetherAgain: A Call to Community

Friends and Family,

As promised a few weeks ago, Ami and I are excited to announce an update on the work we’ve been doing, including the new name of the organization and the launch of our website. To do so, we wanted to take the opportunity to articulate our vision and inspiration below.

Tuesday was Tisha B’av - the day we commemorate the fall of the first and the second temple, and we’re under threat of attack from Iran and its proxies. The parallels between present-day Israel and our ancient destruction are impossible to ignore. However, like our brothers and sisters in Israel, we must move forward with faith in the army and one another. Paralysis from fear is not an option.

It’s been 312 days since our worlds were turned upside down on October 7th, and we’ve seen threats emerge in Israel and around the world in ways previously unimaginable.  It’s easy to forget that this new normal is, in fact, the old normal that we’ve always lived.  Our holiday from history is over.

For most of us, this holiday is all we’ve ever really known. But the five millennia history of the Jewish people can be summed up in two words: persecution and resilience.  In every generation, a Pharaoh has risen, and yet, despite countless powerful enemies, we have not only survived against all odds, but thrived in a way that has profoundly advanced society - in the arts, in business, in technology, in education, and in governance.  

The resilience that defines us is neither genetic nor a miracle. Its source, over thousands of years, has been constant: the depth of our community. It gives us strength - both in times of calm and crisis. When immigrant Jews arrived at Ellis Island, they were met by volunteers from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society that lent them the money to cover the landing fee, guide them through the medical examinations, argue on their behalf before the board of inquiry, and even provide kosher food. Without support from this organization and others, it’s unlikely that over three millions Jews would have been accepted between 1880 and 1924.  By coming together, we advanced faster. One hundred years later, we continue to reap the benefits of our unity.

In fact, this deep sense of community is what’s made Israel one of the happiest places on earth to live. Our togetherness in the face of challenges breeds optimism.  It’s the magic of the Jewish people, and it’s the genius of Israel.

Ami and I fundamentally believe the most important contribution we can make right now is to stoke the flames of community. Our holiday from history may be over, but the next chapter of resilience is ours to write.

Going Beyond Never Again

The Jewish post-Holocaust motto of Never Again is absolutely critical, but it’s incomplete. Certainly, we must never put ourselves, or let the world put us, in a position where we can be eradicated. But our story is about so much more than merely surviving; it’s about thriving together.

During our brief holiday from persecution and especially over the last two decades, the tangible need for community, which has been the bedrock of the Jewish people, waned. Though Israel still had many enemies, most in the diaspora believed that the Israeli army was impenetrable to a catastrophic attack. Similarly, though we knew antisemitism still existed, most believed it was rare, isolated, and frankly a relic of the past. Feeling comfortable, Israeli and Diaspora Jews drifted apart. The last nine months have shown us we were wrong. 

Therefore, in addition to Never Again, we believe it’s time to come TogetherAgain, and that's the inspiration of this charity. 

We realize this is a huge vision especially in light of our modest programs, but we view community not only as this broader concept in the way we think about it in the US - like being part of the Asian community or part of the Brazilian community. These are massive groups of people. Community is also hyperlocal - like neighbors or colleagues or teammates. It is these micro communities that are often the most powerful. They are the ones that give us the strength to raise our children, take care of each other in difficult times, and bask in our achievements.

Unfortunately, in Israel, it is precisely these communities that have been most disrupted by the war. Hundreds of thousands are displaced in the North and the South. Reservists are away from their families for months fighting.  Over one hundred hostages remain held in Gaza. The loss of community coupled with the isolation from the rest of the world has broken support systems and is hurting morale. Now, more than ever, it’s incumbent on the diaspora to step up.  Your support, small or large, monetary or volunteering, is an investment in our people at a time of need.  

Personal Reflection: Connecting with my Israeli Family

This brings me to my final point. I have experienced firsthand the power of community in navigating these challenging times. 

Ami and I have always been close. Our mothers are identical twins, and we had the same due date. We jokingly refer to ourselves as half twins. That has been the foundation of a relationship that’s always been solid, but which has become much closer since the war began. As Ami went into the reserves on the evening of the 7th, he and I spoke every day. When his unit faced the adversity and loss that it did, I was there. Similarly, as I was losing my mind with fear and anger, he invited me to his home and his base. Visiting him and the family in Israel in November and July has given me hope. This war has been absolutely terrible, and I’d give anything to unwind back to the Oct 6 world again, but the one silver lining for me has been my connection to my Israeli family. We are, in a much more real sense than ever in my life, a unit. 

I believe deeply that we can do this for others. Our path to a bright future lies in a tried and true formula: coming TogetherAgain. Thank you for joining us on this journey. For more information on our mission, and ways to get involved, please visit our website. If you’re inspired by what we’re doing, please encourage others to sign up for our newsletter.

With love, Am Yisrael Chai,

Dave