LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston resident and New Jersey Assemblywoman Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie, who was among a group of local leaders who recently returned from a mission to the Israel and Gaza border, is sharing a personal reflection on her journey in response to many who have inquired about the experience.
In addition to fellow members of the NJ State Assembly, Bagolie’s delegation also included local school administrators such as Livingston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Block and community leaders such as Samantha Messer and Ilyse Shainbrown.
Together, the group embarked on a 40-hour fact-finding journey to “witness the realities on the ground in Israel and connect with those affected by the recent attack,” Bagolie explained.
Despite objections to the trip by some local groups and individuals in the weeks prior to their departure, Bagolie said she “firmly believe[s] that observing unfiltered realities is crucial for understanding the complex dynamics of the region.”
“Knowledge is paramount, and I stand by the principle that community leaders should witness these situations themselves,” said Bagolie, who commended the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ for orchestrating and hosting the mission.
Bagolie shared the following reflections upon her return:
“On my return, many have asked how my trip was. My response is simple: it was meaningful. The journey may have been emotionally taxing, but it fuels my commitment to leveraging our collective strength to build a world where no one has to endure the horrors of terrorism.
“Some world events are so shocking they are forever inscribed in the psyche of its generation. Our grandparents remember Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, ‘a day that will live in infamy.’
“Growing up, I remember my elders often asking, ‘Where were you when JFK was assassinated?’ I never truly understood why that question was so meaningful until my generation had its own question to ask, ‘Do you remember where you were on 9/11?’ I do, and in response, on Sept. 12, the United States came together as a nation, with the world, in solidarity to condemn the cowardly attack.
“President George W. Bush said, ‘Today, our great nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America.’ The world embraced our democracy, our right to defend our nation and avenge those murdered by terrorists.
“Fast forward 22 years to Oct. 7, where Israel saw the same evil, the very worst of human nature – where Hamas terrorists killed, raped, mutilated, burned alive and kidnapped Israeli civilians, men and women, the elderly and infirm, children and babies.
“Like the U.S. on 9/11, Israel put aside its political differences. It united against evil with the support of all its citizens with calls of ‘never again’ and ‘bring them home now’ in reference to the 240 hostages ripped from their homes that day, and now being held in deplorable conditions. The comparisons between these tragedies underscore the universality of the struggle against terror.
“As I stepped out of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and boarded the bus headed toward Gaza with my fellow legislators and educators, I couldn’t help but think that Israel’s tragedy mirrors our own 9/11 and is a stark reminder that terrorism knows no borders, knows no limits and must be stopped, everywhere, at all costs.
“Arriving near the Gaza border, we traversed through cities where Hamas terrorists unleashed unspeakable terrors on innocent civilians and witnessed the destruction of K’far Aza and Ofakim. My journey through these areas was an emotional and somber experience.
“The echoes of bombs, the acrid smell of gunpowder lingering in the air, and the haunting aftermath of the Israeli lives lost were stark reminders of the harsh realities faced by those living in Israel who continue their daily lives despite the never-ending threat of annihilation and the continuing threat to democracies everywhere.
“Our trip continued to Jerusalem. Conversations with Israeli leaders grappling with the dual mission of bringing hostages home and protecting their people from the constant threat of attack from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran highlighted the delicate balance they must navigate. The dedication to finding a resolution while safeguarding innocent civilians emphasized the complexity of the geopolitical landscape. We became acutely aware that Israel is fighting for its very survival.
“Meeting with Israeli-Arab leaders navigating the complexities of reconciling their faith with the atrocities committed by Hamas and the desire to uplift their people provided a glimpse into the internal struggles within the community. The challenges of finding common ground in pursuing peace underscored the intricacies of fostering understanding and unity.
“As a lifelong teacher and now Chief School Administrator/Superintendent, the transformative potential of education particularly inspires me as a beacon of hope as we toured Hand in Hand. In this Jewish-Arab school, educators cultivated hope by harmonizing diverse student communities. Bringing diverse children together, while not necessarily the solution, is perhaps a step in the right direction.
“We ended our short but powerful trip by heading to Tel Aviv to visit Hostage Square, a place where the families of the hostages and visitors from around the world who want to pay tribute to them gather. It is unsettling that a place like this with a name like this even has to exist.
“Comforting parents grappling with the unfathomable loss of their children was both heart-wrenching and humbling. The resilience displayed by these families in the face of tragedy was a testament to the unwavering human spirit. In those moments, I remained quiet—reticent.
“Borrowing words from my Rabbi, Matthew Gerwitz of Temple B’nai Jeshurun who was attending his own TBJ Mission to Israel, ‘I was embarrassed…as I am to say this publicly for the first time. I struggle to find something that has always come naturally to me…my sense of empathy. I became angry.’
“Feeling anger at the realization that humans are capable of committing profound acts of evil is a visceral response rooted in compassion and the innate desire for justice and mercy. Recognizing such darkness in human behavior can be deeply unsettling, challenging our beliefs in the inherent goodness of humanity.
“The conflicts in Israel are deeply rooted and complex, involving historical, political, and religious dimensions. The attacks from Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north further complicate the situation. Resolving these issues requires addressing longstanding grievances, fostering open dialogue, and finding a balance that respects the rights and aspirations of all parties involved.
“There’s no quick fix, and any sustainable solution must not only consider the multifaceted nature of the challenges in the region but must also recognize that no solution is viable until the people of Gaza are freed from the oppressive grip of Hamas. It is also essential to distinguish opposition to Hamas’s actions from prejudiced views against any group or religion. Criticizing Hamas is a stand against terrorism, violence, and the suffering of innocent people.
“Now that I have returned, I plan to leverage my role in the New Jersey Assembly to raise awareness and educate my constituents and fellow assembly members alike. To that end, I am the primary sponsor of Assembly Resolution AR86, which I pre-filed for introduction in the 2024 legislative session back in December. The resolution strongly supports Israel as it defends itself against the terrorist attacks by Hamas. The second primary sponsor is Reginald Atkins, and the third prime is Garnet Hall.
“My LD-27 senate partner, John McKeon, has introduced the companion Senate Resolution. While on the Mission to Israel, I had the opportunity to reach across the political aisle and invite my Republican colleague, Mike Inganamort, to join me as a co-sponsor, and he gladly accepted. The bipartisan collaboration on this resolution signifies a united effort to foster understanding, unity, and peace as we advocate for support of Israel.
“My trip has reinforced my resolve that we must also do better to safeguard our students, in public education and on college campuses, from threats, intimidation, and actual violence. We must encourage and ensure that our educational administrators enforce the existing rules, regulations, and laws to the fullest extent possible so that not only are our students safe, but they feel safe.
“We must all reject calls for jihad or Intifada as hate speech, and our institutions of learning must not turn a blind eye to allegations of anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim harassment, nor can they be permitted to evolve into breeding grounds for anti-Semitism. School leaders must and will be held accountable, answering for the actions that take place on their campuses.
“As a leader, my heart is heavy, but my resolve is unyielding. We must learn from these experiences, share the burden of those who have suffered, and commit ourselves to the pursuit of peace. Our shared humanity demands it, and our duty as stewards of justice compels us.
“Just as we remember and honor the victims of 9/11, let us also remember those affected by the events of Oct. 7. Let their stories be etched into our collective memory, driving us to work together to support peace initiatives and advocate for the end of senseless loss.”
This reflection was shared directly by Assemblywoman Bagolie (D – Essex, Passaic), who recently resigned from her position on the Livingston Township Council and now represents New Jersey Legislative District 27, serving the communities of Livingston, West Orange, Millburn, Roseland, Montclair and Clifton.