Dear Haverim,
This is a difficult, tragic, and painful time for Israel and Jews around the world. It’s also confusing, trying to figure out what Israel should do to degrade Hamas and save the hostages.
Although Hamas’ brutal slaughter of 1400 people and its kidnapping of over 230 men, women, and children of all ages, in one day, is unprecedented, Jewish tradition has had a lot to say about just wars, rules of war, peace, and redeeming hostages (pidyon shevuyim) from Biblical times until today. There are majority and minority positions on these issues, both of which are traditionally acceptable as well as characteristic of Jewish law.
This Friday evening, at 7:00 p.m. Shabbat services, I’ll share these approaches with you. Some will be comforting and others challenging, but using Jewish tradition to reflect on contemporary events, is what Jews have always done (RSVP here). By the way, when you are at services, please pick up a “Blue Ribbon For Israel,” a global symbol of support and solidarity for the safe return of the hostages.
On Sunday, November 5, at 10:30 a.m., on Zoom, please join me for our “Jewish Ethics And Current Events In A Global World.” The topic will be “Anti-Semitism Uncovered: A Guide To Old Myths In A New Era.” (RSVP here) to receive the link and the article for discussion.
As I wrote to you last week, 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 donated $1,000. Please click here now for additional information and to donate to this most worthy cause.
On Friday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m., I’ve invited UC Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky to speak about his latest LA Times Op Ed, “Nothing Has Prepared Me For The Anti-Semitism I See On College Campuses Now” (click here to read it).
Dean Chemerinsky will be speaking to us about “Antisemitism on Our Campuses: What’s Happening and What Can We Do About It?” Almost immediately after the Hamas attacks on October 7, shocking messages celebrating the terrorism were voiced on college campuses across the country. Expression of Anti-Semitism has become frighteningly common in the last few weeks. It is important to understand why this is happening and how things have changed, and it is essential to think about what can be done, especially to protect Jewish students, and to go forward in a meaningful way.
As we all know, Dean Chemerinsky is incredibly articulate and has had to wrestle with these issues on Berkeley’s campus and in higher education in general. This will be an evening not to be missed.
All of these topics are extremely relevant to our lives today. I look forward to discussing them with you.
Chazak, Chazak V’nitchazek/Be Strong, Be Strong And Let Us Strengthen One Another,
Rabbi Arnie Rachlis
