So much of the work we do caring for wounded soldiers at Belev Echad is only possible thanks to our many generous donors. Every contribution counts, no matter the size.
Recently, we reached out to a donor who sent us $100 after the October 7th massacre. We shared some of the work we’ve done and some of our current needs, and asked if she’d be willing to donate again.
When she didn’t respond, we sent a follow-up email.
This time, she replied quickly. “Please take me off your list. Do not contact me again. I cannot in good conscience continue to donate with the way the situation has deteriorated over there. The Netanyahu govt and IDF leadership is completely incongruent with my Judaism.”
We explained that Belev Echad helps all wounded soldiers. We never ask if they are left-wing or right-wing. We even help Druze and Arab soldiers. We avoid politics and focus on healing.
Nevertheless, she remained firm in her position, insisting that she cannot support soldiers acting at the behest of the current Israeli government, which is sending them to commit acts of treason.
I wondered, then, why she had donated after October 7th.
“That was different,” she explained. “When Israel is fighting a truly noble war, and stops the wanton harassment and sanctioning of Palestinian living in the West Bank, then I will donate again. I donated just after 10/7 for that reason. However, what’s going on now is not about security it is genocide and ethnic cleansing and I cannot support soldiers who have taken part in this.”
With that in mind, we gave it one last-ditch effort. “Would you consider supporting a soldier who was injured on October 7th, who needs a laptop for her studies?”
And she agreed! “If you can assure me that no portion of the money will go elsewhere, then yes!”
Voila! Success!
I kept thinking about this interaction long after it was over. First of all We never ever give up! But what actually happened here? How did we go from “Take me off your list and never email me again” to “Yes, I’ll contribute towards a laptop”?!
And I realized it’s all about meeting people where they’re at. At first, it seemed like we were at complete odds with no common ground. But after going back and forth a few times, it became clear that we actually share a lot: a deep concern for the individual soldiers. And with that mutual care and brotherly love, we can work together to improve lives.
Our world is more divided than ever. Politics, religion, business disagreements, etc. And it’s so easy—and tempting—to completely dismiss someone with whom we disagree. Unfortunately, cutting off relationships over small differences has become all too common.
But what if we pushed ourselves to engage further until we find that common ground? We may always disagree on certain things, but in almost all cases, there is a lot more connectedness and agreement than those few sticking points.
The same goes for Torah and mitzvot. If someone isn’t ready to keep Shabbat fully, we don’t write them off—we encourage them to observe for a few hours and then add more as they feel ready. If they can’t commit to keeping kosher at all times in all places, we encourage them to start with what does feel doable and build up from there.
It’s all about meeting people where they’re at. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have in our arsenal.
Let's continue loving each other because at the end of the day we are all brothers!