Written by: Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman
Dear Friends,
Tuesday was the one-month anniversary of the massacre in Israel on October 7. And while our grieving continues, we have begun to accept the fact that the war against Hamas will likely continue for some time, that the situation is complex, and that our support for Israel becomes more crucial with each passing day.
Next Tuesday, November 14, Jewish Federation of North America is organizing a march in Washington DC from 1:00 – 3:00 pm in support of Israel. This is our chance to come together as a united Jewish community with leaders, clergy, friends, allies, and loved ones from across North America to stand together, loudly and proudly.
CJP is organizing transportation from Boston. Registration will close tonight, November 9, at 5:00 pm. Link to FAQ.
For spiritual fortification, I offer you a salient teaching from Dr. Elana Stein Hain, the Rosh Beit Midrash and a Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. In this approximately 20-minute teaching, she focuses on the Divine aspects of Strength/Resoluteness and Compassion, together, as complementary qualities. Entitled “The Torah of Resilience,” I found this teaching helpful and strengthening and I hope you will too. You can access it here.
Please join Elana Arian and myself in services this coming Shabbat as we fortify each other through music, prayer, and community, lifting our spirits and our voices for Peace.
Rabba Kaya
Temple Israel Stands with Israel.