Messages

Dear Friends,

This past Saturday morning I awoke looking forward to celebrating the peace and joy that come when Shabbat and Simchat Torah coincide, but like so many of you, I was instead shocked and heartbroken to learn that Israel had been attacked.   Like you, I am struggling to process all the news as it comes with horrifying pictures and stories of people enduring the unimaginable.  Some are our family and friends, some are connected to others we know and love, but all are struggling – because whether they are known to us or not, whether our beliefs and practices are similar or different, we all belong to one Jewish people, klal Yisrael, and we are family.  When a family member is struggling, is in danger, we struggle too.  Perhaps like I am, you are also flooded with emotions as they come unbidden:  fear, sadness, horror, anger, and profound worry.  But so too do I hope you can glean some measure of comfort in knowing that you are not alone.  You are part of the Temple Sinai community that cares deeply and is here for you. 

While the news is indeed bleak, allow me to share some extraordinary words of resilience and encouragement from a friend living in Tel Aviv who in between running to the shelter with her family responded to my message saying, “Please tell your community this:

My social media feeds are brimming with personal stories and groups mobilizing to help the people in the south. There are volunteers who are collecting food and clothing to help the people who lost their homes. And volunteers who are offering free board at their places in the center of the country. There are volunteers who are driving care packages to the south and to people in hospital. And volunteers who are offering to visit people in the hospital if families can’t make it. There are the blood drives – open again today (we will try to go). We will also organize a care package of sheets and clothing.

We made snack packages for soldiers with little notes that say, “Thank you for your service. Please come home safely.” We put instant soup, pasta, cans of soda, chips, sweets, Bamba, granola bars and good vibes into our bags. When we dropped them off at the pickup point, we were happy to see others dropping off their bags, too. Share that Israeli hospitals put out a call for blood donations and asked people to stop coming after an hour. Because 650 people showed up and waited 5 hours for their turn.  At the blood drive yesterday Arab owners of the landmark Abulafia bakery came loaded with food for the people donating blood. It was their way of helping this impossible situation.”

This impossible situation, the already staggering number of people who have been kidnapped, killed, and wounded is unfathomable.  How we as a community, as a loving, active Temple Sinai community respond -- is what is possible, is within our control.  Let us also be resilient and supportive during this terrible time by helping in at least four ways:  We can register here and join together tonight (Monday) at 7:00 pm for the community vigil at Temple B’rith Kodesh to show our unity and solidarity and to be together with one another.

We can donate to our community emergency campaign.  We can check in with family and friends in Israel and here, ensuring that no one is alone during this frightening time.  Last, as always, please feel free to reach out to me or Cantor Braun to talk, pray or sing - we are here are for you.

My broken heart is with all who are hurting and grieving as I pray for safer, just, and more peaceful days ahead. 

Rabbi Debbi Till