Living a value-driven life – the antidote to hate

The Jewish people are facing increasing antisemitism online, on our streets, and on our campuses since the horrific Hamas attacks on southern Israel on 7 October.

“Coalitions of unlikely connections” immediately come together to protest against Israel and Jews – often championing misinformation and twisting reality into an ugly proxy war. I witnessed such protests firsthand in Africa, and on several other continents.

History has informed us that it’s not easy to be a Jew. Even those who maintained a lower profile or connection to Jewish life received an awakening during the crisis that one cannot hide from one’s own identity.

So reflecting on this period – perceived as one of unprecedented hate – what can we take away as a positive factor?

For a start, we’re a resilient people.

We come together to help those in need, and civil society is stronger now than ever. I would argue that the secret to our resilience is a deep understanding of purpose – that our foundations are built on generations of Jewish learning.

We are a nation committed to service. Whether it be helping the bereaved, the injured, the displaced, the traumatised, and of course, those who have loved ones in captivity, Jews of all ages and backgrounds have risen to the occasion, donating time, wisdom, and resources for the benefit of the Jewish community, other faith groups, and humanity as a whole. Limmud South Africa is the personification of this value, designed and led by volunteers.

During periods of turmoil, the need for Jewish unity is of paramount importance. And while that may sound like a given, achieving unity when there are multiple points of view is no simple task. Yet, we can extract from Limmud – past recipient of the Jerusalem Unity Prize – that Jewish unity is accomplished by safeguarding diversity. That now is that Seder-night-inspired-moment to look around and ask: who is missing from our broad tent, and how do we welcome them to the table?

Of course, there are communal norms and boundaries to respect as well. And there are those who prefer a different path. Whether it be the disruptors or those who deeply believe that watering-down or evolving tradition/Jewish practise can in fact erode our core tenets.

Perhaps then, if there’s one critical lesson to learn from this period, it’s that the Jewish world of 6 October also had its flaws and imperfections. That some Jews, and certainly Israelis, had forgotten how to engage the “other”. Let us, therefore, remember to argue for the sake of heaven. The alternative – a pursuit of absolute truth, and believing that we’re the custodians of it, is a pathway that our adversaries have taken to new and dangerous extremes.

Looking back at these past difficult months, the highlighted Limmud values can help us to navigate change and uncertainty. After all, it’s this framework that has enabled thousands of gatherings spanning the globe to celebrate Jewish life.

In essence, Limmud South Africa is the antidote to hate, and its record participation numbers reaffirm a community committed to Jewish values.

At a time where there are some who advocate that it’s wiser to hide, lower one’s profile, or use cancel culture, this community stands proud, morally sound, and vibrant.

• Eli Ovits, a Nahum Goldmann fellow, is the chairperson of Limmud Israel and the founder of Altruists, a global consultancy that connects people to meaningful causes. He presented at Limmud Johannesburg this year.