Shabbat Shalom ~ Shelach 2025

Shalom WJC Family,

Tami, Simeon, and I are making our preparations for the Ride for the Living from Auschwitz to the Krakow JCC (there is still time to sponsor our team by clicking here. I am proud to say that, together, our WJC affiliated teams have raised over $25,000 for this great cause!) As we get ready for this intense and meaningful experience, I cannot help but see the recent events between Israel and Iran through the lens of the experience of Jews in Poland and elsewhere in Europe 85 years ago. Today, there are over 7 million Jews living in Israel and the Iranian regime proudly proclaims its intention to kill every one of them. When the IAEA released its report that Iran is pursuing a fast track to weaponization and that they have enough enriched uranium to fuel ten nuclear weapons, the threat became all too real. If Israel, the only Jewish State, has one fundamental responsibility, not allowing another Shoah is it.

Of course, this does not mean we have to agree with every decision the government makes about this war or anything else. Our conversation though, I believe, does need to start with the reality of those facts. It is the reality of the threat that seems to be giving Israelis near unanimous support for the operation, despite the torturous hours they are forced to endure as wave after wave of Iranian ballistic missiles rain down from the skies. 

The sense of mutual responsibility and connection is not limited to the Israelis either. At the outset of the war, WJC had at least three young people in Israel on Birthright trips. Two of them reported singing Israeli songs and dancing Israeli dances through it all, infused with the spirit of the land as they were. One of them, our new member Steven Dussuaud, wrote me:

 

One would think when we get the alert on our phones and hear the sirens from our window when we are in the shelters we would all be sad and panicking, no we were not. We were dancing and singing together because we refuse to let them break us…I’m excited to say that this is going to be one of the best birthright stories. Though I do understand that this is not just all fun and games and that people have died, peoples houses have gotten pummeled. But it’s not in me to have a depressing demeanor about anything. 

 

This may be his first trip to Israel, but he seems to have internalized something of the Israeli spirit. We pray that all of our members stuck in Israel get home safely and soon. We pray for the security and safety of all those in Israel in harm’s way. We pray for the speedy return of the hostages from Gaza. And we pray for a speedy and successful end to this war with Iran, one that allows Israelis to move forward with their lives without the threat of enemies on all sides sending rockets, or God forbid, nuclear weapons.

Speaking of the Ride for the Living, we leave on Tuesday and so after this Shabbat, I will see you back in synagogue on July 4th and 5th. Shortly after that, I will begin my summer vacation so this will be the last personal message and weekly video from me until August.

Speaking of summer, it’s almost time for summer davening! That means Shabbat in the chapel with lay leaders leading all parts of the service and delivering the sermon. I love these Shabbatot for their intimacy, warmth, and because I get to learn so much from all of you. Special thanks to Cindy Heller and Amy Bennett for arranging all the parts – they are amazing and the clergy really appreciates it! We are also grateful to all of you who step up and take part. For more information or to volunteer, click on Summer Davening Spreadsheet or contact Cindy Heller (RJH613@aol.com, text 914-844-3002), or Amy Bennett (amybennettny@gmail.com, text 646-263-5290.)

In the meantime, this weekend is a regular schedule and we look forward to seeing you for Friday night (6:30pm), Saturday morning (9:15am), and Saturday evening (8:15pm) services. 

See you in shul,

RJA