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Earthquakes in Turkey & Syria

02/08/2023 05:15:54 PM

Feb8

Our hearts go out to the thousands of people impacted by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. With thousands of lives lost and that number expected to increase, recovery missions ongoing and thousands injured, the Jewish community as always, is responding with Leviticus 19 imploring us not to stand idly by the blood of our neighbor. Please consider helping by donating through the following aid organizations:

Jewish Federation of Rochester (https://form.jotform.com/230364099037962)
Joint Distribution Committee (https://fal.cn/3vHfh)
IsraAID (https://fal.cn/3vHfg)
Red Cross (https://fal.cn/3vHfi)

On Overturning of Roe V Wade

06/24/2022 05:09:07 PM

Jun24

Temple Clergy

Jewish tradition affirms several truths: one, life is precious; two, the life of a pregnant person (actual) takes precedence over that of an embryo or fetus (potential); and three, each person upon spiritual/emotional reflection, must be allowed the freedom to choose what is right. Today's Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization denies Jews the freedom to uphold these fundamental religious principles.

We join our colleagues at the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the American Conference of Cantors and “condemn, in the strongest terms, the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and deplore the reversal of the precedent set a half-century ago in Roe v. Wade.”

We believe that the separation of church and state is good for America, good for us as Jews, and creates a society of greater acceptance of difference and diversity. Thus, we are horrified at this decision’s preferencing of a particular religious perspective.  Prohibiting abortion access is contrary to Jewish law, traditions and pikuach nefesh.  As Jews, Torah calls us repeatedly to “defend the widow, the orphan, and the stranger.” We are outraged at any action that afflicts those who are most vulnerable in our society, and this decision will no doubt have the most devastating consequences for those in our society who are already marginalized. Kol aravim zeh b'zeh -- we are all responsible for each another.  Today we are devastated.  In the days to come, we get back to work.

Rabbi Debbi Till       Cantor Renata Braun       Rabbi Alan J. Katz

Crisis in Ukraine

03/16/2022 05:04:06 PM

Mar16

A Message from the Rochester Board of Rabbis and Cantors March 10, 2022/Adar II 5782

We join together today in praying for peace for the people of Ukraine. For us in the Jewish community, this moment is filled with great pain, as over 200,000 of our fellow Jews live in Ukraine, one of two nations in the world whose president is Jewish. Our hearts ache for the all-too-familiar images in Eastern Europe of families separated and devastated by war, of husbands sending mothers and children to neighboring countries for safety, of trains and roadways filled beyond capacity with people looking to escape grave danger.

We ask that you join us not only in praying for peace but working to create peace. The Rochester Board of Rabbis and Cantors, representing spiritual leaders from across Monroe, Ontario, and Seneca Counties, has given tsedakah to the Ukraine Crisis Fund at the Jewish Federation. You may join us by going to https://form.jotform.com/220544248885968?utm_source=web....

Oseh Shalom Bimromav, hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu, v’al kol Yisrael, v’al kol yoshvei tevel: May the One who makes peace on high, create peace in Ukraine, across Europe, and in every corner of the globe.

To learn more about the Rochester Board of Rabbis and Cantors, contact President Rabbi Peter Stein at 585-244-7060 or at rabbistein@tbk.org.

Fri, May 3 2024 25 Nisan 5784