Temple Newsletter for December 22nd, 2023

As I reflect upon these past months and all that has befallen Israel
and the Jewish people, there is one scene in particular, something that I
saw on Facebook, that greatly inspired me. It was as group of Israeli
soldiers in Gaza wishing all of us Shabbat Shalom as they sang a song
that includes both Hebrew and Arabic. A song that conveys our
yearning for a time of peace.
There was such purity of spirit in these young men. Clearly, they
were Jews before they were soldiers, and even in the midst of war, they
embodied so much that is good and hopeful in the human spirit, and
our shared challenge of causing light to shine where there is darkness.

Especially at this painful time, let us know who we are and for what
we stand as Jews. We bring to the world the belief that the greatest
love of God is revealed through acts of loving kindness, and our efforts
to cause goodness to prevail where there is evil. Yes, we are all
needed in this struggle, even as our hearts have been broken as we
witness much of the world’s misguided sentiments toward Israel. But
Am Yisrael Chai we declare: “The Jewish people lives” and will continue
to live as we seek to be a blessing in this hurting world.

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom as we hope and pray for a world at
peace with itself.

Rabbi David Greenberg