Shabbat Shalom ~ Lech Licha 2024

Dear WJC Family,

This week on November 9th – 10th we will mark the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the terrible “Night of Broken Glass” that for many marks the beginning of the Shoah. It is a stark reminder of the importance and privilege of participating in democratic elections.

As is always the case at the end of an election, people are feeling lots of deep emotions of all different sorts. Through it all, I am feeling grateful to live in a place where a vote by the people today decides the leadership tomorrow. Whatever the results, I hope we can all appreciate the beautiful institution of an election, our civic tribute to personal empowerment and self-determination. Though we may take it for granted, it is a rare privilege in human history, and one that we should not take for granted or under-appreciated. (For more reflections on the election, watch the video below and join us for my sermon on Saturday morning).

So what can we do now? Take a break, take a breath, spend time with those we love, and appreciate the good things we have. Before we know it, a new election season will be upon us, another thing for which we can be grateful. And in the meantime, let’s come together for a different kind of gathering – a communion of joy, a chance to laugh together with Israeli comedian Joel Chasnoff on Saturday night, November 23rd, because Laughter is the Best Medicine – Register here.

We also have an amazing opportunity to gather as an international community next week with our guests, 11 families from Kibbutz Re’im, survivors of the October 7th attacks. It’s not too late to be part of this amazing program. The families will be here all week and there are a number of opportunities to meet and spend time with them. See them all by clicking here. A few highlights:

1) This mission to honor the Civilian Emergency Team of the Kibbutz and show their families a wonderful time is very, very expensive! Show your support by:

• A few families have arranged a bake sale for this Sunday 12-1 at the Center with proceeds supporting this project. All funds raised are being matched three-fold by donors. Buy something sweet and support the mission!
• Make a donation directly to the mission by clicking here.
• Attend the NYC Gala honoring the unsung heroes of October 7th who defended their homes and neighbors on that terrible day. The Gala is Tuesday night from 7-9:30. The dress is casual and the food is “Kibbutz Style.” It will be a fun way to support this great cause. To get more details and register, click here.

2) Join us for a beautiful Friday night together on the 15th. Register for dinner here. Dinner is at 6:30, then stay to join us for a beautiful Rhythm & Ruach service at 7:30, followed by dessert and a presentation by our guests at 8:30. If you have younger kids, you can head home whenever bedtime demands, and we will also have the play area open for them to play in during the later presentations.

As mentioned earlier, we will mark Kristallnacht this week. Please join us as the Holocaust Learning Center presents “Resistance: They Fought Back” – a Film Screening and Conversation with Director Paula S. Apsell at 3pm on Sunday. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director.

We have a regular schedule of services this Shabbat, including a mincha bar mitzvah – mazal tov to Ari Steinberg and his parents Amir and Courtney! The afternoon Shabbat service will be combined with the bar mitzvah in the sanctuary.

See you in shul,