By Connor Hayes
Director of Community Programming

When our community members boarded the bus to Washington, D.C., early on Sunday morning, November 10, everyone among us was hoping we would experience an event with the gravitas and scale of the March in Washington in November 2023. We are proud of our Lehigh Valley community for showing up and dedicating time to such an important event. 

While the attendance that day was visibly disheartening, and many commentators have talked about the unexpectedly low turnout, it’s a shame that so few have focused on the diversity of Jewish life on display that day, something that should not go overlooked. Of all of the speakers during the program, Lani Anpo best epitomized this diversity. Her ancestry includes not only Sicangu Lakota and the MHA Nations (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara), but also Russian Jewish heritage, by way of immigrants fleeing pogroms in the early 1900s. 

To Anpo, these two intersecting identities shared a critical trait: the undeniable indigeneity of Jews to Israel and First Nations (aka Native Americans) to America. She went on to describe how Zionism could be considered the first Land Back Movement, a term that stands for the reconstruction of sovereignty, dignity, and security for a diasporic people. Although often used in the context of First Nations, it was refreshing to see it used in relation to Israel, in a world where detractors of the reestablishment of the state term it “settler colonialism.” 

Luckily for attendees, Anpo was not the only First Nation speaker to highlight indigeneity. Chief Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock Nation, longtime ally of Israel, made it clear that many had come to express Indigenous solidarity.  “I’m here tonight to stand with Israel,” she said, “along with a delegation from Canada, all the way down to the Caribbean, of tribal and Indigenous nations that stand in covenant with Israel.” To her right, was a contingent of chiefs, all in ceremonial attire, all having traveled far to express their solidarity. At a time when Jews feel largely isolated, this kind of genuine allyship feels cathartic.

And that day in Washington, allies there were aplenty. Ritchie Torres, a politician who has never been shy about his staunch support of Israel, was a featured speaker later in the night. His appearance was welcomed by hearty applause. Yet, in addition to allies, there were also heroes. Israel Defense Forces Sergeant Isabelle Burke, who left Ottawa, Ontario, to become a Lone Soldier, shared her harrowing experience as a member of an Iron Dome unit on October 7. “When we arrived (at the Iron Dome base),” she said, “we were astounded to learn that we would not be completing our training due to the extreme emergency. We were quickly sworn in and put to work. The following days were a blur, as we defended our country from waves upon waves of terrorist missiles. We watched our friends deploy, not knowing if or when they would return” 

Not all heroes came in uniform. Amit Elor, Olympic Gold medalist in wrestling, shared her story of rising to the challenge. “I had to train with the boys, many of whom did not want to pair with a girl,” she said. “But things were different when I visited Israel. When I was there, I trained in a local (Ashkelon) gym with Israeli wrestlers, and they welcomed me. In Israel, I felt truly included.” After using her platform to speak out after October 7, Elor shared that she was inundated with vicious antisemitism and hate. “It is not always easy to be publicly, proudly Jewish. That took strength too.”

The spirit and energy tying the whole event together came not only from the speakers, but also from the music. Idan Raichel and his many performances throughout the event provided cohesiveness to the diverse polity of speakers. Raichel certainly didn’t let the chance of rain dampen his sets, and he kept the crowd lively, even going right up to the dividing barricade to hold signs depicting the hostages. For more solemn musical moments, the incredible voice of cantor Shulem Lemmer, provided the National Anthem, and songs and prayers for members of the IDF. 

At the end of the day, we could celebrate what we experienced together and how it inspired us during this challenging, ongoing chapter in Jewish history.