Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day

We welcome the release of three Israeli hostages, and hope and

pray that they will find the strength to renew their lives and yet

again experience joy and fulfillment.

Yes, we welcome the return of these three women, even as we

remember those who are still being held in captivity.  Did Israel

give up too much by releasing so many terrorists?  Not if it’s my

child or parent who might be among the hostages.  Yes, we Jews

truly believe that every life is precious, and I appreciate so much

that Israel was willing to pay an awful price for the sake of these

three lives.

Tonight at our Shabbat service we will commemorate International

Holocaust Remembrance Day.  As we do so, we will remember that

all of those precious and holy lives were so cruelly taken, not only

because of the human capacity to hate, but also our capacity to

turn away from each other’s humanity.  On this Shabbat especially,

we remember the six million who perished, and we remember

those who are still being held in Gaza, their lives all but taken from

them.

Taught one of my teachers:  “In order to be human, you have to be

more than human!”

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Emeritus David Greenberg