Rabbi Weill's Blog

Today, Cantor Gale and I are joining in a global "ta'anit tzibbur," a communal fast from sunrise to sundown. The fast draws attention to the perilous plight of the more than one hundred Israelis held hostage in Gaza. Some of those captives are very close to members of our community. 

In an email announcing the fast, The Hadar Institute of New York writes, Jews "have a traditional practice for moments like this one... a fast that draws in the entire community to unite for deliverance for those in crisis....While political and military leaders are pursuing pathways to their release, we have a religious and communal obligation to stand up for the victims and to cry out to God."

Let us also come together as a community this Shabbat -- both on Friday night and Saturday morning -- to show support for each other and for our sisters and brothers, cousins, children, and friends in Israel. Dr. Jeff Winter will help lead us in song during Friday night services. On Shabbat morning, we will celebrate the seventieth anniversary of congregant Mike Sandalow's bar mitzvah. He will be called to the Torah for Parashat Bereishit! Yes, even during hardship, we celebrate. 

EHNTJC is also joining other local Conservative congregations to raise money for a Magen David Adom ambulance. MDA ambulances are desperately needed. Hamas has stolen several and has disabled others. It also murdered an MDA paramedic while she was engaged in holy work: saving lives. More information about this campaign will follow in the next several days.

In Solidarity,

October 12, 2023