Rabbi's Message
11/25/2022 04:30:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
Hodesh tov! We have entered the Hebrew month of Kislev. We will be illuminating the darkness with the lights of Chanukah later this month. I hope that everybody had a happy Thanksgiving.
As we are about to enter Shabbat, I want to acknowledge how difficult this week has been. Our hearts are broken and we are fed up with the gun violence happening in our country.
On Sunday we learned about the horrifying killing of five individuals at Club Q in Colorado Springs. We mourn their lives and we pray for the healing of those who were harmed but survived. This devastating news came the same weekend we learned that armed anti-Semites had planned to attack synagogues in New York. Since then there have been additional mass shootings. We remember the six people killed in Chesapeake, VA who were preparing for their overnight shift and who lost their lives. We must find the will to address this particularly American plague of gun violence.
We bring prayers of healing for those who were injured in the bombings in Jerusalem this week, and sorrow at the death of an Israeli teenager. May sanity and just solutions prevail with Israelis and Palestinians, and may Jerusalem live into its name as of city of peace.
We hold this time of gratitude -of thanksgiving- and increasing light closely as many of us are frightened at the hatred, violence and precariousness of life we see around us.
During this month of Kislev, while we are in a dark times, a little light brings beauty, hope and inspiration. We found inspiration this week in the brave responses of Richard Fierro and Thomas James at Club Q. Each of us, in our own ways, can bring light into this world.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of CBST in Manhattan recently spoke about navigating this time. She said, “Don't isolate. Join communities, come out and be with people. There's risk in everything, but there's a greater risk losing our sense of ourself. I believe in increasing the light in the universe and not allowing the hatred to overwhelm us.” [https://www.wnyc.org/story/rabbi-nycs-queer-synagogue-reflects-anti-semitism-and-anti-lbgtq-violence/]
I hope that everybody has a peaceful Shabbat. As a reminder, we will not be having services this evening.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Diana
***I will be in Cleveland over the weekend. In case of emergency, you can reach me by phone or email. Rabbinic intern Josh is available in person in case of an emergency. Josh’s number is: 267-580-9502
Wed, April 17 2024
9 Nisan 5784