More often than not, the information I share with you in this section of the newsletter is about something problematic in the world or a situation that we need to keep our eyes on lest it all go wrong. This edition will be a little different. I want to tell you two stories—one recent and one from the past—to encourage you and remind you that ultimately the good will always defeat the bad.

At the end of March, tensions along the Gaza border were at a high. Palestinian protestors were throwing rocks, rockets were flying, and everyone was waiting for one spark that would send the whole place up in a flame of violence. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were doing all they could to prevent that spark, there were those on the Palestinian side that were attempting to manufacture the conflagration.

Out of the crowd of protestors they sent two eight-year-old boys. In the hands of one of them was a knife directed toward the IDF defenders. Both sides watched as the children cautiously approached the soldiers. What would the soldiers do? Rather than shooting the children or causing them any violence, members of the IDF carefully drew near. They could see the boys were scared. Easily, the soldiers took the knife from the children, then brought them to a safe place. There they spoke softly to them and gave them water. The children told them they had been given the knife and forced to approach the soldiers in the hopes they would incite some sort of violent response from the IDF. Instead, what the children received was exactly the opposite of what was intended. They were treated with compassion and love, then returned safely back home to Gaza. In a video tweeted out by the IDF, you can see an Israeli soldier walking away with his arm around one of the Palestinian boys. Take a few minutes to watch the video linked here (https://twitter.com/idf/status/1111945246710083584?s=21).[1] It will warm your heart.

The second incident took place two years ago. Americans Mordechai Lichtenstadter and Simche Czin were visiting Israel. After spending the morning at the Western Wall, they left through the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem.[2] Hearing a scuffle, they turned and saw a man attacking a police officer with a knife. The Jordanian terrorist was getting the best of the fight, taking the officer to the ground and repeatedly stabbing him. Without thinking twice, Lichtenstadter launched himself at the attacker and wrestled him off. Surprised, the Jordanian turned his attention to Lichtenstadter, catching him on the hand with his blade. Before the situation could deteriorate more, the injured officer found the strength to pull himself up and shoot the terrorist, killing him. That was when Czin jumped into action, rushing to the side of the injured officer. Using his tallit (prayer shawl), he did his best to slow the policeman’s bleeding while they waited for medical responders.[3]

On January 31, 2019 Lichtenstadter and Czin were in Washington, D.C., each being awarded a Civil Exemplary Decoration by Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer—the first two non-Israelis to ever receive this honor. Dermer said, “It’s fitting that the first non-Israelis to receive this citation would be two Americans. . . . There is no nation that has been a greater force for good in the world than the United States of America. And the Jewish people have been blessed that this great and powerful and just country has been by our side.”[4] At the ceremony a live video link back to Israel allowed the injured officer, Master Sergeant Naaman Fares, to express his appreciation, “From me and my family . . . thank you from the bottom of my heart. You put your life in danger to save mine.”[5]

It’s true that this world has become an unpredictable and violent place. But even as we watch the dangers around us, we must remember to keep a proper perspective. In the midst of darkness, there are always people of light. In the bad, we can always discover good. We must remember to take time to celebrate that good whenever and wherever we find it.

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[1] Israel Defense Forces. Twitter, 30 Mar. 2019, twitter.com/idf/status/1111945246710083584?s=21.

[2] Borchardt, Reuvain. “Israeli Police Honor 2 Boro Park Residents for Saving Life of Officer.” Hamodia, 31 Jan. 2019, hamodia.com/2019/01/31/israeli-police-honor-2-boro-park-residents-saving-life-officer/.

[3] Breen-Portnoy, Barney. “Two Americans Honored by Israel for Helping Police Officer During Jerusalem Terror Attack.” Algemeiner.com, 1 Feb. 2019, www.algemeiner.com/2019/02/01/two-americans-honored-by-israel-for-helping-police-officer-during-jerusalem-terror-attack/.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.