Rabbi Diana's Weekly Message

Dear Hevre, 

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance day, the day the UN General Assembly chose to mark the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. This is distinguished from Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Remembrance day which marks the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943, when Jewish resistance fighters fought against the Nazis. Today is an international commemoration while Yom HaShoah is a Jewish reflection, remembering, and mourning when Jewish communities honor the memories of the victims and raise up stories of survivors - and sometimes our allies and friends join us in remembrance on that day as well. 

On this day, the international community honors the millions of irreplaceable lives that were lost during the Holocaust.

We sigh and weep and rage at the continual killings in our own time. Just as others are remembering the six million Jewish people murdered, we are remembering those from other communities who are mourning their recently killed loved ones. 

We remember Tyre Deandre Nichols, 29, murdered in Memphis, TN following his arrest on January 7.

We remember Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, killed January 18 in Atlanta, GA protesting 'Cop City.'

We remember the victims of the Half Moon Bay shooting on January 21. 

We remember the victims of the Monterey Park shooting on January 23.

As I'm about to enter Shabbat, I just learned that seven Israelis were murdered and several others injured today, January 27^th, outside a Jerusalem synagogue, including a 70 year old woman and a 14 year old boy.

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. We remember how far hatred in the heart can extend. 

May the memories of those who were killed and murdered be remembered and lifted up for justice. 

Wishing everyone a peaceful – please G*d! – Shabbat and beyond, 

Rabbi Diana

[If you'd like to respond to me, please email me at rabbidianamiller@gmail.com]

P.S. I hope to see you this evening at KHN. If you cannot make it in person, please join us on Zoom at: 

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P.P.S Please join us at 1:00 pm this Sunday as Josh teaches “Which Israel?” and please sign up for the Tu B’Shevat Seder!