Walking the Tightrope: Talking About the Current Situation in Israel with Children

Jews around the world have watched with horror as the tragic events in Israel and Gaza have unfolded in recent days. As we worry and pray and watch from afar, Jewish adults in the Diaspora have been left in an unenviable bind: there are no words adequate for this situation, and yet we must speak about the events of the moment—and we must do so with children no less.

Doing this difficult and holy work will require all Jewish adults who care for children—teachers and rabbis, parents and grandparents—to become tightrope walkers, undertaking a series of high wire balancing acts. Dr. Sivan Zakai names three high wires that Jewish adults must walk in order to speak with children about the greatest Jewish tragedy of their lifetimes.