I've been to Israel twice since the war started. With family there, especially three grandchildren there, we visit often.

Our son Adam made aliyah about ten years ago. He is an urban planner and works for Israel's Ministry of Infrastructure. His current project is a high-speed rail between Tel Aviv and Haifa. He, his wife and their three kids live in Jerusalem, in the German Colony, right off of Emek Refaim. 

In January, my wife and I joined an Israel solidarity mission through the Central Conference of American Rabbis, with special attention to the Israeli Reform movement, our Israeli congregations and rabbis. Our most recent visit in May, coincided with the birth and brit milah of our third grandchild. I never imagined one of our kids growing up and moving to Israel to live, work, serve in the Israeli army, marry into a loving and thriving Israeli family, and have three kids, whose spoken Hebrew is already surpassing mine, such that they are not only embarrassed by my mistakes but go on to correct them. 

I will be talking about my recent time in Israel at Shabbat services this Friday, including a reflection on my time with CCAR and a comment about my family. What we saw, heard and did was exhilarating and heartbreaking. I hope you can join us! 

And please consider coming to Israel with us in December. I would be happy to talk about it with you. 

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Dennis Ross