Rabbi Diana's Weekly Message

Dear Hevre, 

There is joyous hopefulness in this week’s Torah portion, Beshalach. God splits the sea and Moses leads the Israelites through it, and Miriam leads all the Israelite women in song and dance to celebrate. True, the Israelites soon begin to complain about life in the desert. Nonetheless, we read about a formerly enslaved people beginning their journey to becoming a free people, destined for Torah and the Promised Land. 

There’s a terrible juxtaposition between the buoyancy in this week’s parashah and what is happening on the ground in Israel right now. Basic democracy is at stake with the planned overhaul to the judicial system on top of the already existing issues. Tens of thousands of Israelis are protesting the new government’s plans. This weekend, expats all over the world plan to protest what is happening in their home country in order to preserve democracy. Nine Palestinians in Jenin and seven Israelis in East Jerusalem were killed last week in an uptick in violence in the region. Few people believe there can still be a viable two-state solution. 

Where does that leave Israel? Rabbinic intern/Shul School coordinator, Josh Nelson recently taught a wonderful Bagel U class called, “Which Israel?” that touched on some of these questions. Please listen to the evocative teaching and conversation at: https://www.kehilathanahar.org/bagel-u   

Many of us in the class agreed that we would like to learn more about conversations from different perspectives in Israel and from Palestinians, and what peacemakers on the ground are doing. We will bring in speakers to our shul and on Zoom.

Additionally, we are hoping to plan a trip to Israel in the near future. Please let me know if you’d be interested in joining us sometime next year. 

Please email me at rabbidianamiller@gmail.com instead of replying to this bulletin. 

I look forward to seeing you this evening at 7:00 pm at the shul or on Zoom at:

Kabbalat Shabbat

Tomorrow morning our Zimra services will be at 10:00am at the shul and on Zoom at: 

Zimra Shabbat
 

Shabbat shalom and Tu B’Shevat Sameach,

Rabbi Diana