On Courage

In a world grappling with rising antisemitism, internal divisions and existential threats, what does it mean to be a Jewish leader in the 21st century? This was the central question explored in a recent episode of TheJewFunction podcast, as hosts Lio and Seth engaged in a profound and wide-ranging discussion with Nimrod Palmach, an Israeli soldier turned activist and CEO of the organization ISRAEL-is.

Palmach, who defied orders to rush to the front lines during the harrowing events of October 7th, offered a unique perspective shaped by his experiences straddling the secular-religious divide in Israeli society.

“The first thing that really strikes you is saying goodbye to life,” Palmach said of his decision to risk everything to save innocent lives on October 7th. “The realization that this is the end, accepting death.” But even in the face of such darkness, Palmach found the strength to keep fighting, driven by a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to protecting the innocent.

“What made me do it is empathy,” he explained, “If I would be in their situation, I would just pray, hold on to my kids and just pray for someone to come. And this someone needs to have a face.”

This idea, that true leadership requires the courage to put oneself in harm’s way for the sake of others, was a recurring theme throughout the discussion. For Palmach, it is rooted in the Jewish values of compassion, justice, and self-sacrifice that have sustained the Jewish people through centuries of adversity.

“I grew up in a very Zionist house and a very caring house,” he said of his upbringing. “The world ‘giving’ has an extremely important meaning, and that’s how my parents brought me into this world. Also, I think empathy is part of the way my system works. I’m really connected to my feelings and to other peoples’ feelings.”

This deep sense of empathy and connection to others was put to the ultimate test on October 7th, as Palmach found himself in the midst of a war zone. “On the one hand, you understand that you are re in a historical moment,” he recalled. “But on the other hand, you are not in shock at all.”

Instead, Palmach channeled his fear and anger into a fierce determination to save as many lives as possible, even as the situation grew more desperate by the minute. “I had a full day of fighting, more than 15 hours straight fight, no drinks, no food, running around,” he said. “I’ve seen dozens of dozens of terrorists, endless bodies of Israelis, civilians that died in the most horrific ways.”

Despite the horror and chaos of that day, Palmach never lost sight of his mission or his sense of purpose. This ability to remain focused and clear-headed in the face of unimaginable adversity is a hallmark of leadership, and it is something that Palmach has carried with him throughout his life and career. Whether working to establish leadership academies in Ukraine and Zimbabwe or fighting on the front lines of the battle against antisemitism and extremism, he has never lost sight of the values and ideals that guide him.

“I believe in leadership,” he declared during the podcast. “I believe that we need to find solutions that will be led by people to re-educate, to build new programs, new schools of thought on being a Jew in Israel without being afraid.”

But as Palmach and hosts Lio and Seth delved deeper into the challenges facing Israeli society and the Jewish world as a whole, it became clear that these values are being tested like never before. From the bitter divisions between left and right, secular and religious, to the rising tide of antisemitism and extremism around the globe, the forces of division and hatred often seem to be gaining the upper hand.

“Here in Israel, we have the gift that we dreamed about for thousands of years,” Palmach lamented. “We have a playground for the Jewish people. But we are hitting each other and fighting. It’s not threatening to me that the ultra-Orthodox are not drafting. I’m also accepting of the secular. As long as we have something to work on and to find our common ground.”

This search for common ground , for the values and experiences that unite Jews across the religious and political spectrum, was a central focus of the discussion. For Palmach, it is rooted in a deep sense of Jewish identity and purpose that transcends the divisions of the moment.

“This is a group of people that value education, that value learning, that value debate and advancing,” he said of the Jewish people. “We have a set of values that we work really hard to maintain and to hold on to throughout the years. This is something that I haven’t seen in any other place in the world.”

One of the key values that Palmach emphasized throughout the discussion was the importance of questioning and critical thinking, traits that he sees as essential to the Jewish experience and to the survival of the Jewish people in a rapidly changing world.

“I love my life,” he said at one point, discussing his decision to leave a farewell video for his children before heading into battle on October 7th. This willingness to take bold action in the face of adversity, to question long-held assumptions and chart a new course forward, is something that Palmach sees as essential not just for the Jewish people, but for all of humanity. Whether working to combat antisemitism and extremism or to build bridges of understanding between different cultures and communities, he believes that we all have a role to play in shaping a better future.

“I’m optimistic in my heart,” he said towards the end of the discussion. “So I want to start by saying it will be better. I really believe so. I really believe that it will be better for the Jewish people, for Israel, and for the world. It’s not Israel vs Hamas. It’s Western civilization values against extremists, extremism, jihadists. And that’s why I choose to believe it will be better.”

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TJF guest Nimrod Palmach with hosts Lio and Seth

But even as he expressed hope for the future, Palmach was clear-eyed about the challenges that lie ahead. He spoke of the need for Israel to remain vigilant in the face of ongoing threats, both from without and within, and of the importance of education and leadership in shaping a new generation of Jews who are proud of their identity and committed to building a better world.

“I don’t live in La La Land,” he said with a smile. “I know that on the one hand, I want to stay a philosopher, a dreamer, an optimist, an educator. On the other hand, I want to be a fighter. We need as a nation not to be naive anymore. We need to know how to defend ourselves.”

Ultimately, for Palmach, this balance between idealism and realism, between the pursuit of peace and the willingness to fight for what is right, is the key to ensuring the survival and flourishing of the Jewish people.

“We haven’t given everything that we have to give to the world,” he said towards the end of the discussion. “We need to be modest about who we are and what we can bring. And we need to also understand that sometimes we probably cause trouble. But altogether, we have so much more to give, not just to the benefit of us, but for humankind.”

As the conversation drew to a close, host Lio offered a final reflection that seemed to encapsulate the spirit of the entire discussion. “I think this is the essence of what Jewish people should be and aspire to be,” he said of Palmach’s example. “Humility is an example.”

Indeed, if there is one takeaway from this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the Jew Function podcast, it is that the key to Jewish survival and flourishing in the 21st century lies in the willingness to lead by example, to be the change that we wish to see in the world, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

As Nimrod Palmach’s example reminds us, this is not an easy path. It requires great sacrifice, courage, and a willingness to confront the darkest aspects of human nature head-on. But it is also a path that offers the promise of a brighter future, a future in which the Jewish people and all of humanity can live in peace, dignity, and mutual understanding.