As famine hits Gaza, Jews abroad take a hard look at Israel’s war

Stephen Wise often holds an “Ask the Rabbi Anything” session during Shabbat services at his Shaarei-Beth El synagogue in Oakville, Ontario, just outside Toronto.

Since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that left almost 1,200 people dead, the main topics of conversation at the sessions have been familiar: the war in Gaza, Israeli hostages still in Hamas’ grasp, and the rising global tide of antisemitism.

But late last month, a new question arose. Someone asked about the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.