JWI CEO Meredith Jacobs' Speech on Capitol Hill on the 2nd Anniversary of 10/7
I was honored Tuesday to speak on the second anniversary of 10/7 alongside Members of Congress Josh Gottheimer and Steny Hoyer, AJC CEO Ted Deutch, Ilana Gritzewsky, a freed hostage and partner of current hostage Matan Zangauker; and the cousin of current American hostage Omer Neutra, Yasmin Magal.
Jewish Women International proudly endorsed all three pieces of bipartisan legislation announced that day. The October 7 Congressional Gold Medal Act; The October 7 Commemoration Resolution; and The October 7 Remembrance Education Act.
On the eve of what we hope will see the return of all our hostages, I share my remarks below. Video of the event may be found here.
I remember October, 2022 — standing in the White House for the first ever High Holiday reception. The renowned violinist Itzack Perlman was performing Aveinu Malkeinu, the supplication for mercy and forgiveness. I remember being surrounded by other leaders of the Jewish community, our voices joining the violin to recite the prayer. I thought to myself, never forget this moment. Never take it for granted that I am standing in the White House, a Jewish woman, observing the high holidays, praying Aveinu Malkeinu.
But to be honest, I did take it for granted—secure in my place in the world. Secure in my safety and acceptance.
A year later, October 2023, that sense of belonging and safety was shattered.
I listened with horror to whispers of the sexual atrocities committed by Hamas. I watched with horror the video of young women, pulled from their beds and pushed bloodied into trucks to be taken into Gaza. I saw with horror the photo of a naked, bound woman surrounded by terrorists raising guns in victory. I sat with horror in the silence of the world, in the silence of the feminist organizations.
Perhaps worse than the silence was what came next, the effectiveness of malicious campaigns of disinformation and denial.
My organization, Jewish Women International, and others who work with a mission to end violence against women and girls, are guided by three fundamentals:
Survivors are believed
Victims are never blamed
Rape is never justified
And yet, when it came to Israeli women, those who were supposed to stand with women:
Delegitimized the evidence
Dehumanized Israeli bodies
And applied a double standard when it came to responding to the rapes and mutilations of Israeli women
Delegitimization, dehumanization, double standard - the definition of antisemitism.
Aveinu Malkenu
In the face of evil, we did not beat our breasts and pray. Instead:
When the world abandoned us, we gathered a global movement.
When the world sought to silence survivors and witnesses, we amplified their voices.
When the world denied the most documented atrocity in history, we lifted the truth.
When the world was silent, we said loudly and unequivocally:
I BELIEVE ISRAELI WOMEN.
Since October 7, 2023, I have had the distinct honor, as CEO of JWI and as co-founder of the I Believe Israeli Women Global Movement, to know some of the most extraordinary Israeli women — survivors, who testify in the face of hate. Therapists, who heal the traumatized. Advocates, who tirelessly fight for justice and accountability. It is their strength, their resilience, that I look to now. Israeli women as survivors, as heroes.
That moment three years ago, praying Aveinu Malkeinu in the White House, is a lifetime ago. That sense of safety and belonging I had as a Jewish woman in the world now childish naïveté.
But, as I look around this gathering — standing in the shadow of our nation’s Capitol, surrounded by Jewish leaders — leaders of our community and our country. Standing with allies. This moment, I will not take for granted, for now I know now how fragile it is.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Bring them home now.
Thank you
As we continue to speak the truth, uplift survivors, and confront antisemitism in every form, JWI’s voice must remain strong. Your support fuels our work - to protect women and girls from violence, to ensure their stories are heard, and to stand unflinchingly for justice.
If you believe Israeli women, if you believe in truth and dignity, please make a gift today to power JWI’s work.