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Wednesday Wisdom & Wit

02/15/2023 01:21:45 PM

Feb15

Rabbi Daniel Sherman

            Yesterday was Valentine’s Day.  To be honest, it’s a day I have been known to forget.  Some years it barely crosses my mind (my apologies to Morgan).  I have issues with “Greeting Card Holidays” – especially as the price of those cards keeps going up.

            However, I love the idea of a day dedicated to love and to the ones whom we love.  We should never miss an opportunity to express our feelings for the most important people in our lives. 

            And as we read the news headlines, I think we could all agree that the world could use a little more “love, sweet love.”      Of course, yesterday was also the fifth anniversary of the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.  A day I remember well, as we lived at the time in Broward County less than 30 minutes from Parkland.  How was the anniversary observed?  By mourning the victims of the shooting at Michigan State University.  Gun violence is still a plague upon our country – and it seems only to be getting worse.  We must work harder and take steps to stop gun violence and to make our schools, universities, grocery stores, movie theaters, neighborhoods, and homes safer.  How many more anniversaries will we spend mourning the loss of innocent lives?

            May we be moved by our love of life to stop the taking of lives by those with guns.  And in that spirit, we may also continue to protect lives by promoting reproductive justice and health care rights for all.  This Shabbat, the National Council of Jewish Women is promoting its annual “Repro Shabbat,” encouraging Jews across the country to stand up for abortion access and rights.  We must join the fight and make sure our voices are heard.

            Today is also Jewish Disability Advocacy Day, a day dedicated to standing up for those who need our help and support to stand and have access to everyday life.  Let us show our love for those who face challenges by being advocates for change.

            To find out more about all of these issues, I encourage you to check out and support the wonderful work of the URJ’s Religious Action Center (www.rac.org) in Washington, DC.

            Enjoy Mardi Gras, be safe, and help spread love as we work to make our world a better and safer place.

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784