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Wednesday Wisdom & Wit

05/04/2022 01:28:33 PM

May4

Rabbi Daniel Sherman

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISRAEL!

            Today and tomorrow are very important day on the Jewish calendar.  Today in Israel is YOM HAZIKARON – Israel’s Memorial Day.  Tomorrow is YOM HAATZMAUT – Israel’s Independence Day.  On Yom HaZikaron, the entire country of Israel stops to remember and to honor all of those Israelis who have lost their lives in the creation and defense of the Modern State of Israel.  It is a very somber day that includes a national moment of silence, as well as visits to military cemeteries throughout the land.  Almost every family or neighborhood has suffered some type of loss of a soldier due to war or terrorism.  Before Israel celebrates its independence, Israel remembers those who lost their lives to make sure that Israel exists still today.

            Then on Yom HaAtzmaut, the entire country celebrates.  This year Israel, which was founded on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar, 5708), marks its 74th birthday.  We join with Jews all over the world in giving thanks for our Jewish homeland and praying for its safety and well-being.  We pray that this 75th year may include peace and prosperity for all who dwell there.  Let us take advantage of this special day to strengthen our relationship with the land and people of Israel. 

I encourage you to join in our Community Yom HaZikaron observance and Yom HaAtzmaut celebration this evening at the Uptown JCC beginning at 5:30pm.  We will also talk about and celebrate Israel during our Wednesday Night Live discussion on Zoom at 7:00pm tonight.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

            We all read with horror the leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court regarding Roe v. Wade and abortion rights.  This was truly a wake-up call for all who are serious about protecting abortion rights and reproductive health and justice for all.  I would like to share with you the statement issued by leaders within the Reform Movement.  We clearly have much work to do.  This is an important issue and a Jewish issue – we cannot stand idly by.

Reform Movement Leaders Decry Supreme Court’s Apparent Plan to End Abortion Rights

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784