Enlarging your Spiritual Storehouse “Jews kept and enlarged their spiritual store at the very time when they were hunted and hated” wrote the novelist George Eliot. She marveled at the pliancy of Hebrew genius which relentlessly insisted, “difficulty means new device.” Toward this end, I am announcing a new weekly online gathering. Every Friday morning
Kristallnacht and Today The 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht begins tonight and tomorrow. 1,400 Synagogues were destroyed (92 Jews murdered, 30,000 sent to Concentration Camps). 1,400 is a number that, for us, is too raw and painful and familiar. “If you’ve ever wondered how you might have behaved, had you been a German on the morning
What should we do? The next time a well-meaning friend criticizes Israel’s approach, ask for a couple of suggestions of what Israel should do instead. Fault-finding isn’t hard. But being realistic enough to provide other options, and then to follow through on where they might lead, this is what moral self-defense requires. We should all agree that harming the blameless is
Rabbi David Wolpe’s Timely Visit Last Wednesday, KI and Congregation Mishkan Tefila hosted a conversation with Rabbi David Wolpe. Here’s a 7-minute summary of some important points he made about antisemitism, campus life, and the need to balance our morality and our humanity.
Hersh Those held in harmful captivity remain our primary priority. Please watch. Am Yisrael Chai. Rabbi William Hamilton
eDvar Shabbat Parashat Vayera 5784 Julian Edelman’s Support We tend to see what we’re looking for. But sometimes what’s before us is impossible to unsee. As Julian Edelman and his father Frank understand, we cannot unsee the premeditated, malignant horrors that were inflicted on our people on October 7th, four Sabbaths ago. As we now approach the 30th day
Strengthening our moral compass is the best way to confront evil “The only safeguard against constant danger is constant vigilance and constant guidance.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel Constant action, as well. Three things today: Continue to provide specific items from this registry for IDF units in the north. They should be sent to: KI Chamal, 384 Harvard Street,
Moral Fortitue You cannot judge a country by their most regrettable behaviors. Instead, you can judge a country by how it responds to them. Consider this current illustration, Letter to Mayor of Givatayim from Minister of Interior. It is a rebuke. A forceful rejection by Israel’s Minister of the Interior, Moshe Arbel, who is Haredi
Emotional Wellness Rest, exercise, and diet are essential to your physical health. Your emotional health also requires three things: 1) Belonging – not having to weather challenges alone (Heart) 2) Doing deeds – actions that move beyond well-trimmed words (Hands) 3) Knowing the story of which you are a part – and your vital role