A Message from Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Meta, recently delivered a powerful message to Jewish leaders at the Jewish Federations' General Assembly in Washington, D.C. Using a simple yet profound experiment, she invited the audience to raise their hands as high as they could, then challenged them to lift their hands an inch higher.
As they complied, she added, “Now, raise it an inch higher.” Remarkably, each person managed to lift their hand even further. “See that?” she said. “When we think we've done all we can, we realize we can do more—and we do!”
This message of resilience and determination resonates deeply with the Jewish community, especially in light of recent tragedies. Sheryl shared how the events of Simchat Torah profoundly changed her. “In the past, people would ask me: Are you a Jewish-American or an American-Jew? Since October 7, I sit here as a different person. Today, being Jewish is as central to my identity as anything else. I sit here as a proud Jew, in a way I couldn't have imagined a year and a half ago.”
Sandberg urged the audience to focus not solely on antisemitism or anti-Israel sentiment but on the strength and beauty of Jewish identity. Citing journalist Bari Weiss, she said, “Our identity as Jews has to be more rooted in Sinai than in Auschwitz. Being Jewish is a wonderful thing—a tradition of charity, of caring for others, of knowledge, of study, of family, and of community.”
She also shared a personal story: “Last January, I asked my daughter what she wanted for her birthday. She wasn't particularly affiliated, but she said she wanted a Jewish star, and she's worn it every day since then. So have I, and so have my two other daughters.”
For millions of Jewish Americans, the question of prioritizing Jewish identity or American nationality has long been a point of tension. October 7 served as a wake-up call, inspiring many Jews to embrace their Judaism proudly. “We now recognize what all other nations have already known all along: We are different! The Jewish people have a special role to play in this world, and the world is counting on us to fulfill it.”
Though Jews constitute only 0.2% of the world's population, we frequently find ourselves in the global spotlight. Israel, comparable in size to New Jersey, attracts a disproportionate amount of attention, evoking strong reactions worldwide.
Throughout four millennia, nearly every civilization has fixated on the Jews, often holding them to a higher standard. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks encapsulated this dynamic: “Gentiles are embarrassed by Jews who are ashamed of their identity and respect Jews who respect themselves.”
In this week's Torah portion, Vayishlach, we learn about Jacob reuniting with his brother Esau. As Jacob journeyed back home to Israel with his family, he discovered that Esau still harbored anger towards him and intended to confront him with 400 men, seeking to kill him. Jacob employed a three-pronged strategy: preparing for war, sending gifts to appease Esau, and praying.
Jacob's approach serves as a powerful lesson for Israel and the Jewish people today. The Jewish people need to confront threats with strength, diplomacy, and faith.
When Jacob sent messengers to Esau, he declared, “I have lived with Laban…and I have tarried until now” (Genesis 32:5). Rashi notes that the Hebrew word for “lived” (גַּרְתִּי) has the numerical value of 613, signifying Jacob's adherence to Jewish observance despite living with the wicked Laban.
Why would Esau, a hunter and murderer, care about Jacob's observance?
Jacob's message of faith and identity conveyed strength, demonstrating that embracing one's divine mission commands respect. Jacob's message instructs us on how to present ourselves to the world. Contrary to assuming that emphasizing our commonality while downplaying our Jewishness is key to gaining favor among Gentile nations, Jacob's actions indicate otherwise. Exuding pride in our divine mission doesn't diminish but enhances esteem in the eyes of the world. As evidenced by Jacob and Esau's eventual reunion and peace.
When faced with antisemitism, the Jewish response must be to amplify Jewish pride and observance. For every hate crime, we should increase the performance of another Mitzvah.
During the mass migration of Jews to the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, assimilation often seemed essential for prosperity. However, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known as the Rebbe, championed initiatives encouraging Jews to reconnect with their heritage and infuse our material lives with spiritual energy and meaning. His Mitzvah campaigns emphasized the power of small, meaningful actions. These included affixing Mezuzah on one's home, lighting Shabbat candles, Torah study, donning Tefillin, and sending children to Jewish day schools. The Rebbe highlighted the intrinsic value of every Mitzvah, regardless of one's overall level of observance. By incrementally doing more each day, we fulfill our divine mission and responsibility.
One prominent campaign advocated by the Rebbe was the public Menorah displays. Initially met with opposition due to concerns about drawing negative attention or sparking anti-Semitism, the Rebbe emphasized the Menorah's message of light, freedom, and hope as crucial for the world to witness and internalize. Today, public Menorah lightings take place in city centers and historic landmarks, inspiring both Jews and Gentiles to embrace goodness and kindness.
The story of Jacob and Esau reminds us that Jewish identity and divine purpose must shine brightly, even in the face of adversity. The story of Jacob and Esau mirrors the Jewish people's historical struggles, expulsions, and migrations. After thousands of years of refining the world, our responsibility is to stand proudly and work with our allies globally to combat evil by embracing our Jewish identity and mission and usher in a time of peace and prosperity for all nations on earth with the coming of Moshiach now!
