JJ Sussman

The writer is the international director of Gesher, www.gesher.co.il/en

Israelis protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu outside the District court in Tel Aviv, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is testifying in the trial against him, April 9, 2025.

Israel's real enemy may be its internal divisions, not the terror threats - opinion

Israel was never meant to be a place of sameness. It was always a gathering of exiles, ideas, and arguments. That diversity is not our weakness – it is our strength. But only if we stay at the table.

APRIL 13, 2025

THE WRITER addresses a gathering. ‘People are stepping up, investing their time, attention, creativity, and yes, sometimes even their money, for the positive cause of priceless unity,’ he maintains.

The importance of unity in the Jewish community post-Oct. 7 - opinion

As we commemorate Tisha B’Av this year, we can stand up for unity and even select one of these initiatives to bring us all together.

AUGUST 11, 2024

Israeli Americans and supporters of Israel gather in solidarity with Israel and protest against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, during a rally on the National Mall in Washington, U.S, November 14, 2023.

Discovering a common bond through Jewish tradition - opinion

The counting every evening of the omer can serve as a daily reminder – like the ringing of a bell to open markets – that a new day is upon us and we need to work to accomplish goals and make change.

MAY 19, 2024

When this is all over, we must find new ways to stay unified - opinion

We cannot go back to a pre-October 7 world where we thought those on the other side of the political or religious aisle were our enemies.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

'Hostages Square' in Tel Aviv on Friday following the release of 13 hostages: With all the horror, tension, and uncertainty, we have displayed national unity at levels never seen before, says the writer.

Israel's politicians need to grow up and start representing the people - opinion

As Rosh Hashanah approaches and we get set to enter 5784, it’s about time for the politicians to grow up, and finally act like the representatives of the people.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

NATIONAL UNITY head MK Benny Gantz speaks at a party event, last week. The only party with significant upward movement in polls is the only party openly calling for a unity government and compromise, says the writer.

Listening to one another can help us recognize our values - opinion

Only Am Yisrael has the power to destroy Am Yisrael

JULY 27, 2023

‘LISTEN TO the pain of the other side. Don’t try to prove your side is correct. Listen to their point of view,’ the writer recommends.

The ability to end the Haredi-secular conflict is within us - opinion

In a recent study commissioned by Gesher, the overwhelming majority (65%) of Israelis ranked the haredi-secular conflict as the most pressing facing us today.

APRIL 3, 2021

A POLICE OFFICER argues with a man in Meron in October, when praying indoors was restricted during a nationwide lockdown.

The Four Questions of Hope

With Pesach just around the corner, let's stop complaining at a distance and refocus our observations.

APRIL 1, 2020