28 Jul Star of One

Star of One is a short animated film by Eitan Chitayat created in the weeks following the October 7, 2023 attacks. It is a statement of Jewish pride, unity and resilience centered on the Star of David—not simply as a symbol worn by individuals, but as an expression of a people bound together. The film reminds viewers that hatred may intensify, but so does the Jewish people’s instinct to stand together, create, contribute and bring light into the world.

Watch the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kZfnjfjyco&t=3s

Key takeaways

The Star of David is presented as a shared symbol of Jewish identity and belonging.
Jewish unity becomes stronger in the face of hatred and incitement.
Jewish pride is expressed through contribution: achieving, inventing, creating and putting good into the world.
The Jewish people are not alone; allies and friends stand alongside them.
The film offers reassurance without denying the seriousness of antisemitism.
“Star of One” reframes many individual Jewish stars as one connected people.

FAQs

What is Star of One?

Star of One is a short animated film by Eitan Chitayat about Jewish unity, resilience and pride.

When was it created?

It was released in November 2023, in the weeks after the October 7 attacks.

What does “Star of One” mean?

It describes the Jewish people as many individuals connected through one shared symbol, history and sense of peoplehood.

What symbol is central to the film?

The Star of David, also known as the Magen David.

What is the film’s central message?

That in the face of hatred, Jews stand together, wear their identity with pride and continue contributing good to the world.

SCRIPT

Star of one

We are a small nation, this country of Israel.

And we’ve been around for over 5000 years.

We’re made up of all sorts of Jewish people.

Black. White. Brown. Religious. Secular. Liberal.

We’re also home to many who aren’t Jewish.

Christian. Muslim. Druze. Bedouin. Greek Orthodox. And more.

But Jews have been on the land since biblical times.

Many of us came back in the last hundred years.

Some arrived just yesterday – and some are coming tomorrow.

We are men. Women. And children. We love life. We’re…human.

We might be a little different in some ways like all nations are. But we’re people just like anyone else.

We’re an assorted bunch.

We don’t always agree on everything.

In fact, we argue a lot.

Some see things this way. Some the other. We don’t always see eye to eye.

But in Israel, we are the Jewish nation.

Fractured and divided as it may seem, we are one.

At our core.

And it’s a strong core.

While sometimes we feel separate from each other, we’re bonded together through our heritage and values that haven’t really changed for thousands of years.

A lot of people out there don’t like us.

Right now it’s a lot of Palestinians. The Iranian government. Any people led by fanatical Jihadists. Remnants of Arab leaders who preached Jew hatred and whose legacy of hate has continued. Assorted conspiracy theorists. And yes, bonafide antisemites.

Maybe it’s because we’re different.

Can’t be put in a box.

Or smart.

Or Independent.

Because we know exactly who we are.

Maybe it’s because we’ve got a bit of chutzpah.

Maybe because we know how to survive.

And despite so many murdered and persecuted for thousands of years — and 6 million of us who were slaughtered by the Nazis in the Second World War – we’re still standing.

Not only standing.

But thriving.

Changing the world for the better.

With technology.

Medicine.

Art.

Science.

Sports.

You name it.

Maybe people don’t like us because they envy our heritage.

Maybe because they think we run the world.

(We don’t. Remember? Conspiracy theorists.)

Despite only 16 million of us in the world, maybe they see our success as a threat rather than an asset.

Who knows?

We’re too busy doing what we do to give it too much attention.

But sometimes, we have to give the hatred our attention.

Because we’ve got a lot on enemies.

Many are ruthless and barbaric.

But.

We know how to defend ourselves.

Well.

We know when to attack, too.

Well.

Despite unimaginable losses and devastating catastrophes – to this day – we survive.

As we always have. As we always will.

As our enemies who wish us harm, fade away in time.

One more thing.

Though we’re a physical land of Israel, we are also the people of Israel.

And we don’t only live here.

We’re scattered around the world here, here and here. Here and here. And here.

No matter where we are,

No matter what divides us in the moment,

No matter the internal squabbles we have – like all people have – we are one.

Even when we can’t see it.

We are one.

And we have kind, compassionate people in the world who truly see the good in us.

And when life is hard, impossible, incomprehensible, confusing, scary and dark

Somehow, we reach to the light and come together.

We are a small nation, this country of Israel and the Jewish people.

But we will never apologize for surviving.

We will always strive for good.

And we shall remain as one.