It’s been just over a week since Israel launched its daring, preemptive strike against Iranian military, governmental and nuclear facilities. Iran predictably retaliated but purposefully, deliberately, targeting ordinary, Israeli civilians in heavily densely populated areas.
Therein lies the fundamental difference between a nation yearning, fighting yet again for its very survival and a despotic, theocratic regime, hellbent on destroying the only Jewish country in the world.
Of this we must be certain: Iran represents - as it has for the past 46 years - the greatest and gravest existential threat to Israel and the Jewish people.
We salute German Chancellor Merz who earlier this week, at the G7 Summit in Canada, praised Israel for doing “the dirty work for all of us, by striking Iran and preventing it from building a nuclear weapon.” Would that other world leaders spoke so candidly and honestly.
This is precisely the time, Beth Am, to show up and be counted: by attending tonight’s Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:00pm which will be infused with Israeli songs, poetry and prayers. In addition, plan to join us for Torah study and minyan tomorrow morning beginning at 9:00am.
Why? Because we need each other’s company more than ever before. And who knows; these opportunities might just enrich your Jewish connection and identity in ways you never thought possible!
We pray that this will be a relatively peaceful and purposeful Shabbat for Israel and world Jewry.
Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Robert Leib Cantor Elena Zarkh Sherrie Turetsky, Executive Director Barbara Weisman, Education Director Bruce Sham, President Barry Tinkleman, VP Religious Practices
