*Movie poster credit to: http://www.impawards.com/2026/response.html*
I wish I could tell you exactly where I was October 7th, 2023. I wish I could tell you what I was hearing. I wish I could tell you what I was feeling. But I can’t. I don’t remember anything from the start of the Gaza war. Not because it was too traumatic for me to remember, but simply because I thought it was above my head. It felt like it was out of my control. It felt like it was too distant for me to invest my time and energy into. It felt like another headline that would come and go in the news.
“Boy was I wrong”.
Throughout the past couple of years, I have seen the aftermath of the Gaza War on the Jewish communities I have been accepted in. I have seen individuals’ faces put on posters, bringing awareness to a child or young adult that is missing. I have participated in prayers focusing on the IDF, Israel Defense Forces, the national military of the State of Israel. I have even been a part of services grieving the loss of life from a community member. Unfortunately, I have not been a part of groups on the other side of this tragic war. I can only speak from my experience, but that does not mean I am choosing a side. I choose to only speak from my experience, and to listen to others. Thankfully, there are others who feel confident enough to express their experience to others.
Voices
“I thought it would be a short film about Run for Their Lives, and it turned into a much bigger story” – Michael Jolls, Chicago filmmaker1.
“We all thought October 7 was horrific. This [Run for Their Lives] was a nonviolent way for everyday people to say ‘enough is enough’” – Michael Jolls, Chicago filmmaker2.
“I was like, ‘What is going on here?’ It [the Gaza hostage crisis] was a humanitarian issue” – Michael Jolls, Chicago filmmaker3.
“People from all different backgrounds, religions and political affiliations came together to stand up for what was right” – Ariel Mar Noyman, Marlboro producer4.
“We showed up each week for the hostages, and we showed up for each other” – Ariel Mar Noyman, Marlboro producer5.
“There were people who saw us who didn’t know there were hostages in Gaza, we had to explain to them that even after two years, there were still hostages” – Shira Dinour Weiss, global coordinator of Run for Their Lives6.
“It doesn’t take a lot to do the right thing, you don’t need to be an influencer with thousands of followers. Regular people just need to realize something isn’t right and stand up” – Shira Dinour Weiss, global coordinator of Run for Their Lives7.
“It’s [The Response] a heavy subject, but I hope it inspires people” – Michael Jolls, Chicago filmmaker8.
Reflection
I am thankful for this story. What Michael thought would be a small project has grown into something bigger, something that can inspire people to stand up. As Michael stated, October 7th, 2023, was a low point in our world history, another battle fought over the “Promised land”. Knowing the Run for Their Lives, has been and will continue to aid those in need during the humanitarian crisis we are facing. No matter what religio-political identity one associated with, Run for Their Lives, showing up for hostages like Omer Neutra. What stood out to me was how Run for Their Lives also showed up for each other.
However, I would like to question the idea that it doesn’t take a lot to do the right thing. Is that the challenge we want to encourage others with? I don’t think people see doing the “right” thing as difficult. I believe people may see doing the “right” thing as the path of least resistance. Speaking for myself, just about everything I do is in some respect in my comfort zone. Whether coaching, writing, or playing videogames, these activities give me the sense that I am in control and I am therefore content. This was an aspect of my life that Vasudhaa Ahuja from Happy Turtling has challenged me on, and something I am still working towards. Awareness and confrontation with my comfortability was something I wish I had on October 7th, 2023, something I wish I had now, and something I hope to have sooner rather than later. I challenge you to do the same. Don’t solely focus on doing what is “right”, but become aware of your comfortability, and confront it with your most authentic self. This may be the response your soul is listening for.
*Movie poster credit to: http://www.impawards.com/2026/response_ver2.html*
References
- Yellin, Deena. “Hostage-awareness walkers from New Jersey featured in new documentary.” NorthJersey.com, October 23, 2026. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/religion/2026/10/23/nj-residents-new-documentary-attacks-gaza/92364034007/. ↩︎
- Yellin, Deena. ↩︎
- Yellin, Deena. ↩︎
- Yellin, Deena. ↩︎
- Yellin, Deena. ↩︎
- Yellin, Deena. ↩︎
- Yellin, Deena. ↩︎
- Yellin, Deena. ↩︎
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