It Hurts.

It hurts to know that my country, people, friends, and land I call home are in danger. It hurts to know that my "friends" don't have my back and that the world seems oblivious to what's going on. It hurts to see people who witness these events choose to turn a blind eye. Where are those who claim to support every cause? The ones who spoke up for "Black Lives Matter," shared their Pride stories, couldn't stop talking about Tlatelolco, and were quick to repost feminist messages. Why are they silent now when it's a critical time for their Jewish friends? When are we suffering? When do you need them most? It hurts realizing that they care more about their social status and online image than about humanity. Where's their empathy and compassion?

Close friends are suffering, crying day and night, searching for news about their loved ones, and yet, they remain silent because it doesn't concern them. It's not just painful; it's frightening.

I'm scared that history might repeat itself—a war that's been going on for over a year, with nobody seeming to notice or care except the ones suffering the consequences. It's crucial to talk about what's happening in Israel in order to prevent the world from forgetting the reality. We used to say, "Never forget, never again," in reference to the Holocaust. But it appears that society forgot, the world forgot, and it's happening again. I'm scared, living in uncertainty, knowing nothing. I'm afraid to step outside, to be a Jew, to witness the surge of antisemitism in recent days. It's not just growing; it's exploding, and that's my greatest fear.

Where could this lead? What might it become? Are we safe? What's going to happen? These are questions without answers, yet the countless potential solutions keep me awake. 

In these moments, we're overwhelmed by emotions, not knowing what to say, how to feel, how to respond, or how to react. These are tough times, and we need each other. We need our friends, family, teachers, and everyone around us to support, help, empathize, and understand. We need each other now more than ever.

During these times of darkness, we must remember the importance of continuing to stand strong and unafraid. Fear can be overwhelming, but it's important not to let it paralyze us. We must continue to raise our voices, share our stories, and support one another. We must not fear the challenges that lie ahead but face them with courage and determination. Together, we can work towards a world where empathy, compassion, and understanding prevail over hatred and fear.