'Am Yisrael Chai' is a way of life

(JNS) — I remember growing up as a kid in Brooklyn, N.Y., singing the chant “Am Yisrael Chai” with great excitement and pride. Much later, as a young adult who was growing into my career as a professional Jew working for various nonprofits, I remember always ending my talks and social-media posts, leading the audience by saying “Am Yisrael” and having them respond, “Chai.” Friends and colleagues thought it was cute—reminiscent of a time when they, too, may have sung the song as kids, and they’d chuckle. That’s what I was known for. I was the guy who would scream out “Am Yisrael Chai” wherever...