Rabbi Diana's Weekly Message

Dear Hevre,

Last evening hundreds of people gathered in person and online at Shir Ami in Newtown for a vigil in support of Israel and peace. Bucks County Jewish clergy, along with interfaith colleagues, a representative from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and two Israeli speakers shared poems, thoughts, psalms and words of grief and hope. It was a balanced evening in that strong support for and identification with Israel was conveyed as well as a deep empathy for the suffering and loss of Palestinian civilians in this terrible war. There were poems by Israelis, Palestinians, and prayers by Jews and by Muslims. Interfaith clergy spoke in support of the grievous losses Israelis have experienced at the hands of Hamas and in support of working toward less violence and suffering in the area for all involved.

Last Friday evening many members and some neighbors of our Little Shul community gathered in person and online to share our feelings around the initial shock, grief, and recognition that we lost more of our people on October 7th since we did at the time of the Shoah. 

We have diversity in our shul around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our diversity is truly our strength when we can listen to and respect each other. I will be proposing a time for a shul-wide listening and sharing session soon. Additionally, we will be inviting in speakers to share various perspectives. I continue to be available to support you in your feelings and thoughts.

Our Bucks County Jewish Clergy Council also holds a diversity of views. We were able to come to a unified voice in the below statement:

Over two weeks ago, the world witnessed one of the most grotesque acts of terrorism, carried out by Hamas, against innocent Israeli civilians. We condemn these barbaric acts against children and babies, the elderly and infirm. They clearly show the depths of the depravity of these terrorists. 

The vicious massacre of Israelis by Hamas terrorists has traumatized our Jewish communities. We are heartbroken. What happens in Israel impacts us deeply. We need to express our grief and our solidarity with Israelis. 

In spite of our differing views of the Israeli-Palestinian situation, we band together in full support of Israel. 

We keep our hearts open to the suffering of innocent civilians on both sides of the border.

We look to our friends and neighbors to join us in condemning Hamas and in supporting Israel at this critical time. 

Together, we pray for the realization of the words of the prophet Isaiah, Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. 

While I have lifted up several organizations in previous emails to consider supporting, today I bring one that some Israelis that I know are part of, as this evening we are both focusing on climate justice and are in the middle of the terrible suffering of two peoples’ civilians. Omdim Beyachad, Standing Together, is a grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace, equality, and social and climate justice. My teacher Rabbi Dr. James Jacobson-Maisels who lives in the Galilee on Kibbutz Hanaton highly recommends this organization as do other friends of mine living in Israel. https://www.standing-together.org/en

May there come a time when terrorism against Israelis and Jews end; when strong, visionary moral leadership arises out of both the Palestinian and the Israeli people; when Israel develops the political and humanitarian will to deal with the settlements in the occupied West Bank as well as the complexity of Gaza; and when both peoples can have a homeland in which they can live in safety and peace.

I look forward to seeing you this evening for our Shabbat service with a focus on climate awareness with Parashat Noach at 7:00 pm in person and on Zoom at:

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*It is not too late to sign up for Sunday’s Bagel U with Toni Miller on the Yiddish writer Chaim Grade at 11:00 am: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcudumvpj4rE9K97nN3cA5c2FYS77lVJGJh#/registration

**Also, please let me know if you can make it to the Arts Beit Midrash that Steph is leading at KHN on Thursday from 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm: rabbidianamiller@gmail.com

Shabbat shalom. Gut Shabbos.

Toward a world filled with peace and justice,

Rabbi Diana