Notes from A Jewish American Lefty Israel: The People, The Politics and NATAN

Marvin Waldman

has been an active member of NATAN’s Advisory Board for several years. To learn more about him, please click here.

By NATAN Advisory Board Member, Marvin Waldman

The first time I visited Israel I was astounded by how many people looked like my relatives. Look, there goes my long-gone Aunt Pearl and her third husband, Harry; and doesn’t that girl look like Cousin Arlene? And, wow, that man could easily be my father’s doppelganger—Dad, have you come back? That kid at the bus stop was a dead ringer for my nephew, Max, and tell me that waitress doesn’t look just like Dorothy, my second cousin, once removed. And on and on and on.

Of course, I was thrilled with just about everything on that trip: the history, the culture, the food, and the sheer beauty. But most of all, I fell in love with the people and the connection I felt with them. It was as if I were surrounded by family, which in a sense, was true. Indeed, it was the Israelis, themselves, the people, who defined Israel for me. The Israel that I hoped existed, the Israel of my “heart.” But the one thing I couldn’t connect with, and still can’t, are some of the leaders of Israel.  Certainly no Aunt Pearls in that group.

I have not made aliyah, so I cannot claim to know what it is like to share a border with a country whose government is dedicated to the annihilation of Israel and Jews. I am both furious and mournful of the October 7th slaughter of so many Israelis, yet I know I can barely imagine the horror. But I do understand the innate, all-too-human desire for revenge and retribution, along with the drive to do what has to be done to prevent anything like this from happening again.

What I cannot understand is how the leaders are trying to achieve these goals. The destruction, the killing, the babies dying. Too much, too, too much. Gandhi’s wisdom still applies, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” But there seems to be a dearth of Yiddishe Kops in the rooms where decisions are made. These leaders do not reflect the Israel so many American Jews cling to.

But once again, it is the Israeli people, themselves, who define Israel. The people, the citizens, have come together to help, to comfort, to heal, and to protect. Reports are they are doing an amazing job: efficient, focused and responsive. It’s the people—not the politicians— who continue to be the force that makes Israel the country we hoped it would be.

And among these people is a group that makes all of Israel proud. NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief, a non-profit, all-volunteer, non-governmental organization made up of doctors, nurses, dentists, trauma and resilience experts and social workers. At a moment’s notice these selfless volunteers drop what they are doing and travel to disaster zones around the globe, often among the first to provide critical medical and mental health care to those affected by natural and human-made disasters. NATAN gives hope and dignity to those whose world has been turned upside down; in places like Haiti, Syria, Venezuela, Morocco, Poland, Ukraine, Nepal and now, sadly, Israel, itself.

I have no solutions to the present horrors. I don’t think anyone does. I do know that NATAN has no agenda, other than to do what they know is right. To give aid whenever, wherever, and to whomever is suffering.

 When I get discouraged about Israel, I try to separate the people from the politics. After all, the people of Israel are my family. NATAN helps me remember that.