Temple News

SHA’ALU SHLOM YERUSHALAYIM –PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM & ALL OF ISRAEL

I am staring at my blank computer screen, trying to figure out what to write and how to express what I am feeling. I am still in shock and in horror from the tragic attack on Israel. I am sad, I am angry, I am confused. I am stunned and I am heartbroken. Our hearts go out to all of the victims of this terror in Israel and to their families. They are part of our Jewish family – and we mourn their loss and attempt to share in their pain. We pray for them. We pray for the healing of the wounded and for the release of the captured. We also pray for the brave soldiers who have rushed in to protect and defend Israel and all her citizens.

So what can we do? We can stand with Israel and express our support for Israel. We can remind our leaders – locally and nationally – of the importance of supporting Israel, especially in times of emergency and terror. We can make sure our families, our neighbors, and the people we encounter understand what is happening: how Israel was ruthlessly attacked by terrorists and how Israel must defend itself and its people.

What can we do? We can be there for each other and for our Jewish community. We can be proud to be part of a Jewish community that comes together, rallies, and supports one another in times of crisis. Cantor Garfein and I were honored to represent Temple Sinai in our community’s Standing With Israel event on Monday evening – we were proud to be joined by so many members of Temple Sinai and add our voices to the call of our community for solidarity and support.

We will continue to show our support for Israel and to be there for each other this Shabbat. We invite you to join us for a “Standing With Israel Shabbat.” We begin on Friday Evening at 6:00pm in the sanctuary with a special service in solidarity with Israel. We will include special prayers, music, and readings as our thoughts and hearts are directed east towards Jerusalem. Afterwards, we will share a congregational Shabbat dinner and have the opportunity to discuss what is happening in Israel, as well as our reactions and feelings. I hope you will make plans to join us (and please make a reservation for dinner). We will continue on Saturday morning with Torah Study at 9:15am, followed by a special Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30am in the chapel. We will again include prayers and songs for Israel and take some time to discuss further what is happening there as well as our own reactions.

On Sunday morning, we will address the terror and situation in Israel with our Chavurah@Sinai students, as we start the morning in the chapel altogether for Tefilah at 9:00am.

As always, we are taking security at Temple very seriously. And we are grateful to the NOPD, as well as the Loyola University Police Department, for keeping an extra eye on us, and for all of the hard work and support of the Jewish Federation, the Secure Community Network, and ADL in keeping our community safe. We also thank our Temple Sinai security coordinator, Joe Williamson, for all that he does for our congregation.

We pray for an end to the violence and bloodshed. We pray that God will send God’s shelter of peace over all of Israel. May God send strength to our people – and may we be blessed with Shalom.