Rabbi's Blog

Dear Haverim,

We have gathered as a congregation several times over the last two weeks – on Zoom, Livestream and in person – to mourn, to deal with our anger, to understand the past, present and future of Hamas’ obsessive hate and brutal murderous actions and, most of all, to learn what we can do to help Israel.

I know that many of us have already donated to Israel, but I want to urge you to donate again to an incredible new fund, just created by University Synagogue’s most generous and philanthropic family, a family that is always generous to our congregation, as well as to Israel,   the Jewish people, immigrants, and education.

Paul and Lilly Merage have donated “$1,000,000” to the Merage U.S.-Israel Aid Fund – a remarkable opportunity for all of us, their friends, our friends, businesses, colleagues, people of all faiths, and the 1200 Merage Israeli Executive Fellows in Israel (some of whom visit our congregation three times a year and who are among Israel’s best and brightest).

What is that opportunity?  To join the Merages in this life-saving endeavor, in which 100% of our gifts will go directly to Israel (with no administrative expenses), for much needed humanitarian essentials. 

Ruti and I have just donated $1,000. Please click here now for additional information and to donate to this most worthy cause.

Also, please join us this Friday evening, October 27, at 7:00 p.m., for a unique “Shabbat Alive Service” that will include one of the great international Klezmer bands – “Hot Pstromi” – in a free “Concert For Israel And Ukraine.” (Originally, when this concert was planned 6 months ago, it was for Ukraine only, but, with the tragic events in Israel, we are broadening the message of support for this concert.)

“Hot Pstromi” is composed of an international quartet with Grammy-nominated musicians, as well as two visiting musicians from Prague. Of all art forms, music is the universal language of all cultures and it expresses our hopes and aspirations. Learn how Klezmer (Jewish jazz) music has revived Jewish pride and consciousness in Eastern Europe and around the world, and listen to award-winning musicians demonstrate klezmer’s power.

Yale Strom is one of the world's leading artists of klezmer music and history.  His new klezmer and classical compositions have been performed by orchestras and music groups in the United States and abroad, as well as by his own ensemble, Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi.  He has composed for radio, film and television and has released 13 award-winning CDs. Strom is currently artist-in-residence in the Jewish Studies Program at San Diego State University.

We will also remember, before Mourners Kaddish, those murdered by Hamas, as well as Daniel Pearl, and the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue.  Each year, University Synagogue remembers the Wall Street Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl, who was murdered by Islamic terrorists 21 years ago, and also, over the last 5 years, we have sadly included those tragically murdered by a domestic, white supremacist terrorist in Pittsburgh on this very day, October 27, 5 years ago.

Join us as we celebrate good over evil, democracy over autocracy, and love of life over the perverse belief that martyrdom means sadistically and brutally murdering innocent Israeli victims.  We will also give out “Blue Ribbons For Israel” for those who want to take home and wear a sign of their solidarity with Israel, and we will also celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and conclude our service with “Hatikva.”

By the way, CBS will be using some of what it filmed at University Synagogue 10 days ago in a future documentary.  I’ll let you know the date as soon as I know.

For those in our “40U Group” (ages 40 and under), we’ll begin in our library at 6:30 p.m. with a “Wine and Cheese Pre-Oneg” with Ruti and me.

Following our 7:00 p.m. service, everyone is invited to our regular Oneg Shabbat and a chance to schmooze with each other and our talented Klezmer musicians!  Please RSVP here for the Pre-Oneg, and for Shabbat services, please RSVP here.

The last few weeks have been traumatic for Israel, the Middle East, the world, and for all of us.  Perhaps some joyous music will soothe our souls, as we continue to support Israel with solidarity, donations and love.

Chazak, Chazak, V’nitchazek/Be Strong, Be Strong And Let Us Strengthen One Another,

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis