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Rabbi's Message

01/21/2022 04:44:00 PM

Jan21

Beloved Chevre,

We enter Shabbat again, exhaling. Just a week ago, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas experienced an acutely distressing marathon day that was felt by Jewish communities around the country and the world. Earlier today I was on a phone call with the White House along with thousands of clergy which was led by several professionals and officials from the Department of Homeland Security addressing the antisemitism in our country. They sought to reassure us that they are doing everything that can to combat antisemitism and the false narratives and conspiracy theories that lead to it, while acknowledging that the threat of domestic extremism (as well as foreign) is heightened, and real. They pledged to give more money toward securing our buildings and the people in them.

But what really struck me were the words and demeanor of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who after expressing gratitude to the FBI and all the authorities, the Jewish community and all our allies, focused on Shabbat. The man who welcomed a stranger into his sanctuary, whose “calm, non-anxious presence” along with the stellar training he received, allowed him to embody courage while in a dangerous, terrifying situation, spoke to us about the importance of and sweetness of Shabbat, whether in our homes or in our communal homes, our synagogues. That we should find oneg, joy and delight, in Shabbat, the sacred day of rest and rejuvenation.

Now, as we enter Shabbat, we take in a teaching by the great master Thich Nhat Hanh, may his memory be for a blessing:

It's very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.”

There are plenty of problems we are facing in our lives, in our nation, on this Earth. Let’s trust that they will be here to work on after Shabbat, and allow ourselves some time to tune out and to tune into our souls and bodies.

I leave us with a poem written by Rabbi Annie Lewis, reminding us of our worth and beauty as a Jewish people/community:

BEAUTIFUL, BELOVED, AND WORTHY OF LIFE

I am afraid that there are so many people out there

who don’t believe,

who don’t know,

who refuse to see that -

Jewish people are beautiful, beloved and worthy of dignity and life.

And we are, my people-

We are beautiful.

We are beloved.

We are worthy of dignity and life.

We are resilient.

We are survivors.

From generation to generation,

We robe ourselves in the armor of Torah.

We carry the medicine chest

of our mitzvot,

of our sacred stories and songs.

We cling to the truth that we,

and all human beings,

are woven in the image of God.

We are courageous warriors of love.

We are lovers of peace,

Wrestling for blessing,

Thirsting for life -

Choosing life.

More life.

The Zoom link for tonight’s KHN service which Lesley will be leading is:

Kabbalat Shabbat

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Diana

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784