For the last week and a half or so, if you’re like me, you have been scrolling and searching on news sites and on social media, trying to gather as much information as you can about the current US-led war against Iran that Israel is participating in. This is one of a few reasons why we began preparing and sending out the Israel updates when war breaks out, and Israel is involved. These updates come directly from Jewish Federations of North America and allow us to provide our community members with additional insight and perspective from a reliable, vetted source that you may not find in mainstream media.

With so much happening, I have spent the past week or so reflecting on what has transpired, but I’m still not quite sure how I feel. So many perspectives and thoughts have been swirling around in my brain. From a survey conducted last week, it appears I am not alone in this uncertainty.

Today, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency cited a Jewish People Policy Institute survey of "connected" American Jews, which found that 68% support the war against Iran, despite expectations that it will increase both antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the US. For comparison, a similar survey in Israel found that 93% of Israeli Jews supported military operations against Iran. I suspect that, because Israelis have endured the ongoing Iranian threat, many see this as an opportunity to address it decisively.

Given these different perspectives, the key question I keep examining from multiple angles is whether all of this will ultimately be justified. I frequently hear discussions about alternative uses for the approximately $1 billion spent each day in the US. From my viewpoint, this estimate does even come close to the actual cost since it does not factor in the non-quantifiable associated costs - the loss of human life, the immediate and long-term instability the war causes in the region, the future costs to rebuild,  the shifting global perception of both the US and Israel, and the continuing impact this conflict will have on American Jewry. More specifically, I am concerned about its consequences for our local Jewish community as the war continues.

From my perspective, Israel's involvement has already increased anti-Israel rhetoric and will inevitably increase antisemitism incidents. For example, an anti-war rally was held across the street from our Jewish Federation offices in Monrovia on Friday night. The online advertising for the rally stated: “No Imperialist war with Iran! No Zionist-US war machine!” The organizers deliberately used the word “Zionist” to antagonize and further marginalize Israel in society. I hate that this keeps happening because it denigrates what Zionism truly was and still is for many Jews today… a longing for a Jewish homeland and Israel’s right to exist. Unfortunately, since many do not understand the true meaning of Zionism, such messages continue to misinform much of the non-Jewish world.

I continue to hope and pray for a speedy end to this war, as well as an end to the Iranian terror that has targeted both Israel and the US for many years.