Rabbi Diana's Weekly Message

This song was written by Jewish singer, musician, and activist Adrienne Cooper. It comes from a much older Yiddish folk melody. Adrienne Cooper was a leader in Workmen's Circle and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice.

Dear Hevre,

I hear the sounds of the cries for democracy in the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv from here in our own troubled United States. Each Saturday evening in Israel, tens of thousands people are marching to protect democracy– already marred by the occupation, but still salvageable if there’s a will. I see images of Israeli friends of mine marching with their children, deeply worried for their future. I read about an Israeli writer wondering aloud if he will remain there, not that he has anywhere in particular else to go. Democracy is crucial if Israel is to survive and thrive, both with all of its varied Jewish inhabitants, and with its Israeli Palestinians and those Palestinians living in the occupied territories (and I’m very aware there is great controversy about which territories are considered occupied.)

I hear the voices of those concerned about peace and safety for Jewish communities here in the States, within our own democracy. Earlier I heard experts from the ADL, the FBI and other security-related organizations speak about tracking online antisemitic chatter and subsequent risk assessments. I was comforted and inspired to learn about the existence of a community solidarity safety coalition which describes solidarity and safety issues for minorities in houses of worship, educational institutions or other non-profits, whether as Jews, African Americans, Asian Americans, the LGBTQ communities and others (and the overlap between some of the stated group members.)

[https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/adl-and-national-urban-league-launch-community-solidarity-safety-coalition]

As we move into this Shabbat of peace, not hate, I ask us all to remember that we are part of a resilient people who have faced challenging situations through the centuries. We are still here, holding the memories of those who are not. Let us feel comforted by community, liturgy, and our righteous history of activists and those who have stood up to haters before.

Let us find peace on this Shabbat, and beyond, in Israel, in the United States, everywhere on Earth, and in all the realms.

A gutn Shabbos, Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Diana (rabbidianamiller@gmail.com)