SCHAKOWSKY PARTICIPATES IN MEMORIAL SERVICE ORGANIZED BY JUF/JEWISH FEDERATION FOR VICTIMS OF WEEKEND TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ISRAEL
SCHAKOWSKY PARTICIPATES IN MEMORIAL SERVICE ORGANIZED
BY JUF/JEWISH FEDERATION FOR VICTIMS OF WEEKEND TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ISRAEL
CHICAGO, IL -- Now we know; now we understand. As Americans, we know. We see the people running down the street in panic and it looks all too familiar. Now we know.
We hear the sirens and see the dead and injured, and as much as thought we knew, now we know.
We sometimes joked about Israelis and their cell phone, and now we know how it must feel to wait for the call from your teenager who is out for the evening with friends saying, "Mom, I'm OK," or just waiting for that call.
We now know the rage and frustrations of being attacked by those who prefer to die than live, and who plot and scheme to take innocent life with them.
We now know the courage and determination it takes to "just live your life" when "just" going shopping, out to eat or riding the bus can be life threatening.
And while hopefully we will not know what it is like to live for half a century and more on constant high alert, we understand better how intolerable that must be.
And now that it happened to here, in a place many believed was immune to such an attack, we know that terrorists must be answered, and those who harbor or support terrorists must be held accountable.
And we know, as we pray for peace, leave space for peace, continue to work for the miracle of peace in this Holiday season, we know that we must defend ourselves and our children.
And we know, as Americans who love Israel, that as people, as a community, and as nations we must be united more than ever before in defense of that tiny and precious plot of land, surrounded day in and day out by hatred and danger, where our brothers and sisters want only one thing, and that is to live in peace and freedom.