Jewish identity, Torah, and mitzvot stand undefeated—Israel and Am Yisrael answer hatred with faith, unity, eternal strength.
Shema Yisrael—“Hear, O Israel” is the unbreakable declaration at the heart of Jewish faith. Its opening verse proclaims the oneness of Hashem and has preserved Jewish identity through exile, persecution, and survival against every attempt at erasure. Strengthening Jewish identity is not only our response to antisemitism—it is our shield.
The 25th of Tevet, one month after Chanukah, coincides with the shloshim marking the horrific antisemitic terror attack in Sydney, where Jews were murdered simply for being Jewish. In response, Yizkereim launched a campaign beginning on Asarah B’Tevet, calling Jews worldwide to recommit to Kriat Shema, recited daily with intention (kavanah). Even one verse declares eternity:
שמע ישראל ה’ אלקינו ה’ אחד
Hear, O Israel: the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One.
A Declaration That Has Saved Lives
After the Holocaust, rabbis searching for hidden Jewish children whispered Shema Yisrael at their bedsides. Memories awakened. Souls remembered. Children cried out for their parents. The Shema carried identity where all else was stripped away.
Faith in Action: Shema, Tzitzit, Tefillin
- Shema affirms Hashem’s sovereignty and our devotion with heart, soul, and might.
- Tzitzit remind us daily of all the mitzvot and the Exodus from Egypt.
- Tefillin bind faith to heart and mind—anchoring emotion, action, and intellect to Divine service, releasing light that darkness cannot extinguish.
Jewish Pride Is Our Victory
Antisemites and terrorists aim to instill fear—fear of being Jewish, fear of faith, fear of visibility. We respond with the opposite: pride, mitzvot, continuity. Am Yisrael endures only by living openly as Jews.
In Memory and in Hope
This Shema–Tzitzit–Tefillin Campaign is dedicated to the kedoshim murdered al kiddush Hashem in Sydney, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, whose life strengthened Jewish connection. May their souls be elevated, and may Hashem avenge their blood.
May we merit besorot tovot, yeshuot, and nechamot, and soon gather together in the rebuilt Jerusalem. Amen.
