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Rabbi's Message

02/25/2022 04:25:42 PM

Feb25

Dear Chevre,

Many of us are heartbroken and anguished about the war unfolding in Ukraine. Our hearts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people. Many of us have roots there, and some of us know people living there.

We condemn the unprovoked and brutal Russian military invasion of Ukraine. 

We may feel helpless knowing that so many people are suffering. If we are able, we give tzedakah.

Reconstructionist congregations are part of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ), which is also home to ten Ukrainian synagogues. We hold them, the entire Ukrainian Jewish community, and all the people of Ukraine in our hearts. 

For those who would like to provide financial assistance to members of the Jewish community in Ukraine during this time of uncertainty and peril, the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) has set up a Ukraine Crisis Fund.

Additionally, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has set up an Emergency Ukraine Fund, https://www.jdc.org

We keep praying at this urgent time.  

Here is A Prayer for Ukraine by Joanne Fink:

 

Holy One, Source of Strength,

 

War has begun, and innocent people are dying.

We ask Your protection for Ukraine and its citizens.

We pray for their safety and the security of the country,

and for the neighboring countries—Hungary, Poland, and Rumania, among others—

that have opened their borders to provide humanitarian corridors

and safe passage for all those who wish to evacuate.

 

We seek the comfort of believing that everything will be all right,

even in the face of insurmountable odds.

 

Quiet the fears that threaten to deafen us; grant us Shleimut—the inner peace we so desperately seek. Help us remain calm and reach out to those in need.

 

May this horrific situation be diffused swiftly with minimal casualties.

 

Bless our world leaders with the ability to work together for the greater good,

and the wisdom to make wise decisions during this turbulent time.

Bless the people of all nations with the desire, strength and courage

to create a world based on justice and filled with peace.

 

May the words of Isaiah 2:4:

“Nation shall not lift up sword against nation;

neither shall they learn war anymore”

become true in our day-- in this very hour.

 

Source of Goodness, shine Your healing light on us

and all those in the Ukraine we hold in our hearts.

Shelter us, shield us, show us the path to peace.

 

And let us say: Amen.

 

Additionally, you can read Hila Ratzabi’s poem We See You: For Ukraine at this link. Hila is Director of Virtual Content & Programs at Ritualwell, a project of Reconstructing Judaism. 

Here is an interesting article by Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin entitled, “How should Jews think about Ukraine?”

https://religionnews.com/2022/02/22/ukraine-russia-jews/?fbclid=IwAR3yIHudy1YR5x5e73oUwgj9hm7nf0rL7ZzeRBKx_Vk9P87Gr_T2USBln-Y

Shabbat services this evening will be both in person and on Zoom. I will be leading Tefillah (prayer) and Lesley will offer a d’var Torah related to Jewish Disability Month (February).

The Zoom link is: KABBALAT SHABBAT

Tomorrow morning, Contemplative Shabbat will be Zoom ONLY from 10:00 am – noon led by me, Susan Sklaroff-Van Hook and Abraham Leibson.

The Zoom link is:   CONTEMPLATIVE SHABBAT

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Diana

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784