Rabbi Weill's Blog

August 1, 2024

Dear Friends,

Events in Israel have unfolded rapidly and alarmingly: Hezbollah’s horrific killing of twelve Israeli children in the Golan; the assassinations of leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah; the escalation of violence in the north; Iranian threats against Israel.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his fourth address to a joint session of Congress. 

What are the implications of these developments? How might they impact the delicate negotiations to free the hostages? What are the political ramifications? How safe – or imperiled – do Israelis feel?

This Shabbat morning, we will receive an analysis, via Zoom, from Professor Jeremy Leigh. Jeremy was my professor when I studied at the Jerusalem campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, my rabbinical school. He teaches Israel studies and modern Jewish history and coordinates of HUC-JIR’s well-regarded Israel Seminar. He also leads HUC-JIR’s program in Lithuania. 

Prior to joining HUC-JIR, Jeremy taught at the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University. He also directs Jewish Journeys, a long-standing initiative to advance global Jewish travel. He is the author of Jewish Journeys: Reflections on Jewish Travel.

Jeremy Leigh was born in London; he moved to Israel in 1992.

I hope you come to services – in person or via Zoom – this Shabbat morning for this special and important presentation.

Peace and Strength,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill