October 7, 2023, was Simchat Torah, the day Jews were supposed to be rejoicing in the Torah, but instead, they were hiding in bomb shelters, ditches, and fields, being tortured, kidnapped, and killed by terrorists.
That day changed every Jewish person in the world; that day did not begin a conflict; it was the continuation of an age-old conflict and an age-old hatred of the Jewish people. Today, it is one year later; many are still being held captive; some have been killed in captivity, and their bodies are being held; some have been rescued, and many soldiers have given their lives.
I don’t really have words for today. My heart is heavy, there are tears, and I hope this isn’t insensitive, but as a Christian, my life changed that day. I realized, in reality, what I had only known of historically, the enemy’s absolute hatred of the Jews. In 2014, God connected me to the Jewish roots of my faith, and since then, my understanding of Scripture and my love for the Jewish people has grown. But on October 7, I woke up to the reality of Jew hatred in this world; as I watched campus protests against Israel and for “Palestine,” I was sickened.
We live in a dark world, but light extinguishes the darkness, and in the midst of tragedy, we have watched the Jewish community shine bright in the midst of unimaginable pain. I have watched videos from rabbis say God will make everything good; I have watched them struggle with their people to hold on to faith in such tragedy. I have listened to stories of men who began daily prayers, women who began lighting Shabbat candles, and so much more.
The enemy of our souls always overplays his hand. Israel was experiencing a lot of division before October 7 of last year, but unspeakable horror brought the country together, and it is my prayer that the unity, love, and faith they have experienced do not soon disappear.
I didn’t really have words when I started writing, and I still don’t, but I could not let this day pass without saying I remember, without saying I support you, that I am with you, and that I mourn with the Jewish people today. I don’t have words today, but I do have actions, not just for today but going forward every day since October of last year and before.
I am a friend of the Jewish people and a supporter of the land of Israel. You are God’s people; it is God’s land, and you have my love, my support, and my prayers.
Give to American Friends of Magen David Adom (Israel’s Emergency Services)
Casey D. Bell 
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