Dear Friends,
I am writing to you on Shabbat/Chag because this is an unprecedented moment, one that many are calling the worst day in Israel’s 75 year history, a history that has known too many difficult days. None compare to this. The numbers are staggering. 250 dead. 1500 injured. Dozens of civilians taken captive and being hidden in Gaza. And this is just the beginning.
The image of Shabbat is “sukkat shlomecha” – a Sukkah of peace. Today, that Sukkah, that sense of peace, the beauty of Shabbat – they have all been shattered.
So what do we do?
We do what Jews have done for generations. We pick up the shattered pieces and figure out how to move forward as best we can.
Tonight begins Simchat Torah – a day to celebrate the unbroken cycle of reading Torah for thousands of years. It is a day typically marked by joy, frivolity, singing and dancing. Tonight will be different.
Tonight we will gather as planned, daven ma’ariv and remove the Torah scrolls from the Ark and march around with them 7 times, as we normally would. However, in place of our usual singing and dancing between each of the 7 circuits, we will sing songs and prayers for Israel, for strength, for redemption and for peace.
We will show our determination that we will not give in to terror. We will show our respect to those who have been killed and wounded. We will provide comfort and strength to one another. And we will show our solidarity with the Israeli people, the IDF and all those who are working to defend Israel.
Tomorrow morning we will do likewise – our services will still begin at the normal time and include all the elements of Simchat Torah, but in a mode that is more subdued and contemplative. We will celebrate Howard Wilchins and Carol Chelemer for the amazing work they have done in chairing our capital campaign. We will be together as a community.
Hamas may have infiltrated the borders but we will not allow them to infiltrate our hearts.
Finally, because this is truly an opportunity to save lives, I want to encourage you to give, even on Shabbat or Yom Tov, to the Jewish Federation’s Israel Crisis Relief fund. As the letter from Federation CEO Gil Pruess below notes, the need is immediate and real.
I pray that I never have to send a note like this again.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Marc D. Israel
Friends,
We would not ordinarily email on Shabbat or Yom Tov, but unfortunately, the events of the day necessitate it. This morning, our community awoke to the heartbreaking, deeply upsetting news of war in Israel.
At this holy time of Shabbat, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, while Jews were immersed in celebration and spiritual contemplation, dozens of terrorist gunmen infiltrated communities near the Gaza border and Hamas launched a deluge of thousands of rockets at Israel cities.
At the time of this writing, at least 100 Israelis have been killed and 900 wounded. News reports have noted that soldiers and civilians have been kidnapped and taken hostage, including an Israeli mother and her children.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has declared a state of war and issued orders to mobilize large numbers of reservists. This is a terrifying moment for our family in Israel, and we fear the horror will be quite prolonged.
The Israeli people across the political spectrum are unified in their resolve and response to this attack. Federation and our Jewish community stand with them.
In moments like these, Federation has the responsibility to mobilize our community to help the people of Israel. As Israelis stand strong against this deluge of terror and violence, we will support them however we can.
We have opened an Israel Crisis Fund to raise essential dollars for those in need, which will be distributed swiftly through our partners on the ground, including through the Fund for Victims of Terror. We will continue to closely monitor the situation, respond accordingly, and provide updates as often as possible.
To support the relief efforts:
- Donate online here
- Give through your Jewish Community Foundation Donor Advised Fund here. Please make your gift to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (EIN: 53-0212445) and indicate “Israel Crisis Fund” in the comments.
- Mail a check payable to The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington to 6101 Executive Blvd, Suite 100, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852. Please indicate “Israel Crisis Fund” on all checks.
Please let us know if you have any questions, and please join us in praying for safety, security, and peace.
Gil Preuss
CEO, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
