Shabbat Shalom ~ Achrei Mot-Kedoshim 2026

Shalom WJC Family,

This past week Israel and Jews around the world marked Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut-Israel’s memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror and then Israel’s independence day. In marking the day, WJC was fortunate to host Marc Shulman, a past member of our community who now lives in Israel and regularly appears in the news media as a columnist and commentator.

Marc covered many topics, but one that was most significant to me was the pure exhaustion that much of the Israeli public is facing after almost three years of disruption. He also pointed out that current Israeli school-aged children haven’t had a full, uninterrupted school year since 2019, between COVID closures and interruptions of war, the implications of which will be realized over the lifetimes of these students and their families. In addition, he shared that IDF reservists, who were accustomed to serving an average of about 9 days a year of reserve duty, have in many cases served between 200 to 400 days of reserve duty over the last two years, bringing severe disruption to their families (the divorce rate is rising) and their businesses and workplaces.

Marc related this to the renewed discussions about Haredi participation in the IDF, which he says has gone from being a matter of principle (the so-called “equality of burden” advocated by the non-Haredi public) to a practical issue of manpower, as the IDF and its reservists struggle to meet the many security demands placed on it.

Marc mentioned that he has just completed a book offering his take on the last 30 years of Israel’s history which should appear in print in the next few months. I look forward to seeing it.

As the world’s only Jewish state, Israel acts in our name and on our behalf, and it is incumbent upon us to keep an eye observing eastward towards Zion, as the words of Hatikva put it. We thank Marc for sharing his insights with us.

I also want to wish a mazal tov to Sondra Levy, who will receive the Julian Y. Bernstein Distinguished Service Award next week from the Westchester Jewish Council in recognition of her many years of volunteering at WJC. Mazal tov, Sondra!

This shabbat we will gather for Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday at 6:30, and we look forward to celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Rebecca Shapiro on Shabbat morning. There is also Shabbat Yoga at 10, and our new Teen Shabbat service along with Torah for Tots and Youth Services, all beginning at 11. Mincha is at 7:30pm.

Shabbat Shalom
Cantor Goldberg