This has been a painful and troubling time for Jews throughout the world as Israel is engaged in a war for its very survival. The vicious and barbaric attack of Oct. 7 th and so much of the world’s reaction to what Israel has done in Gaza leaves many of us feeling threatened and uncertain of Israel’s future. And with all that has occurred during these months, we might well ask: “Has the Jewish view of the world changed?” I think that these months have brought us all to the realization that our world is plagued by ignorance and cruelty, with anti-Semitism being so widespread. Not that all Jews and Israelis are righteous or even decent, but it is we, the people, you and I, who continue to bring to the world a religion and a way of thinking that places so much value upon life, and living that which is good and worthy. Do college students and others know what they are talking about when they join in the declaration “from the river to the sea?” They are talking about annihilating the Jews who live in Israel, and the oppressed Palestinians gaining the land that they believe to be theirs. 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 condemnation of Israel and the Jewish people. 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 I hope you will join with us this evening for our Shabbat service.

Rabbi David Greenberg