Two Flags

As I shared earlier this evening, the opening ceremonies of the 33rd Olympiad took place along the Seine River in Paris. Sophie Rindler represented France, and I was waiting for that moment. Who doesn’t love the Olympic Opening Ceremonies? Every host country and city creates a unique reflection of their culture and history. Despite the variations, there are moments we eagerly anticipate, such as the lighting of the Olympic torch, the national anthems, and, of course, the Parade of Nations with flag bearers proudly waving their national colors. It was heartening to see LeBron James and Coco Gauff, two Black athletes, representing the United States. Perhaps one day, we won’t feel the need to highlight the color of their skin, but for now, their presence carries a powerful message.

The American flag itself is a symbol of our nation’s history and values. Most people know that its stripes represent the original 13 colonies, and its stars symbolize the 50 states of the Union. However, the colors are also symbolic: red signifies valor and bravery, white stands for purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Over the past few days, I’ve been reflecting on flags and their significance.

Last night, representatives from various temples gathered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the AMIA center bombing in Buenos Aires, a tragic event from 1994. David Harris, former CEO of the American Jewish Committee, delivered the keynote address. In his remarks, he drew attention to the American and Israeli flags displayed on the bimah. Too often, he noted, these flags are viewed merely as decorative objects. He asked, “Do we even see them? Do we think about what they symbolize?”

Another flag-related incident occurred near Union Station in Washington, D.C., when protesters took down an American flag, replaced it with a Palestinian flag, and burned the American flag while chanting inflammatory slogans. The pedestal of the Columbus statue was vandalized with graffiti, including hateful messages like “Hamas is coming.” Though the Supreme Court has upheld flag burning as a form of free speech, it remains a deeply troubling act. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized that while peaceful protest is a protected right, desecrating the flag—a symbol of our highest ideals—should be condemned. Her message was clear: anti-Semitism, hate, and violence have no place in our nation. Yet, we know such hatred persists.

David Harris posed the question: “What are we going to do to move the needle of anti-Semitism?” Before I share his response, I want to tell you a brief story about my father-in-law. After the Holocaust, he and his two surviving sisters ended up in different parts of the world. He came to the United States, served in the Army, and became a rabbi. One sister returned to Hungary, while the other, Hana, eventually immigrated to Israel. In 1963, when he arrived at his congregation in Virginia, they did not display an Israeli flag. Why? Perhaps American Reform Jews were cautious or concerned about dual loyalty, or perhaps it simply wasn’t considered necessary.

In 1977, when Aunt Hana and her daughter Tova visited, Tova questioned why there was no Israeli flag on the bimah alongside the American one. Though she could not recall his exact response, by the next Shabbat, the Israeli flag was proudly displayed—and it has remained there ever since.

This brings us back to David Harris’s answer. He urged us to embrace and express our Jewish identity openly. He challenged us to wear a yarmulke, observe Jewish holidays, read Jewish books, follow news about Israel, and proudly fly both the American and Israeli flags. He reminded us that education should expand minds and hearts, not stifle free thought or deny historical truths. We must work to maintain bipartisan support for Israel and shift the narrative from what we do for Israel to what Israel has done for us. Since October 7th, Harris noted, Israel has given us a “spinal transplant”—a newfound backbone to stand tall and declare: Am Yisrael Chai. The state, the land, and—most importantly—the people of Israel live.

And that is something truly worth celebrating.