“Don’t give me this nonsense that you are only three Jewish mothers; go and do those things- write articles, give speeches, and meet with legislators.” / Julie Marzouk

"Back in January of 2024, I drove to Los Angeles with my two activist friends to seek the assistance of a high profile Rabbi who has connections to levers of power all over the world. The three of us went into this meeting beautifully prepared with binders of evidence and strategies for change. In some ways, we were not so different than Rachel who circled the globe asking heads of State and the Pope to negotiate for Hersh’s release. After presenting to this prominent Rabbi, he just smiled at us and said, 

“Don’t give me this nonsense that you are only three Jewish mothers; go and do those things- write articles, give speeches, and meet with legislators.” 

I left that meeting deflated and angry. I felt that the Rabbi was asking too much of us. We had gone there with the hope that he would take up the fight for us. We feared we couldn’t meet this moment without the help of a person of influence. This weekend, as I listened to Rachel eulogize her son, I realized that he had been right all along.

The rise of antisemitism is not a Jewish issue. This is an American issue. It is an American issue not only because Hersh was an American. American pluralism is only as strong as its citizens willingness to advocate for its survival. Our freedom and liberty depend upon our collective will to protect each other."

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