Chaverim y'karim - dear friends,

 

And just like that, we have completed the seven weeks of counting the Omer ... From the Exodus from Egypt to the Receiving of Torah at Sinai, the Jewish People marked our exit from slavery and accepted, yet again, the yoke of the commandments at Sinai. 

 

But this year, the journey was filled with pain - for the hostages who remain in Gaza ... those dead and those alive and the myriads of families who await their loved ones to embrace or to bury. 

 

Meanwhile, there remains the new onslaught into Gaza - to what end? The anger against Netanyahu grows and there is nothing, seemingly, we can do about it from here in the States ... or even for Israeli citizens who oppose the right-wing expansionist ideology. Palestinians in Gaza suffer through hunger, torment, and even death. Israelis suffer through families awaiting their loved ones to return to their homes, a society still traumatized by October 7th, soldiers and their families devastated by 20 months of service both for the standing army and reservists, some of whom have days in the army well in excess of days at their jobs and/or at home. To read an excellent source to for unpacking some of the complexity, read today's post by David Horowitz, founding editor of The Times of Israel, "Who’s shooting whom near Rafah’s aid center, and who’s exploiting the bloodshed."

 

The annual journey from Egypt to Sinai took a back seat to the realities of what Israel faces. Please make sure to see the resources below to help you sift through many of the facts and moral questions of our day.

 

And here at home - in the States - three major antisemitic incidents punctuated our holy days as activists put into lethal action expressions like "Globalize the Intifada!" and "Free Palestine!" There was the attack on the gubernatorial mansion in Pennsylvania hours after Governor Josh Shapiro and his family marked the first night of Passover with a seder. There was the horrific murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim outside the Capital Jewish Museum. And then there was the firebombing of a weekly event in Boulder, CO where Jews and non-Jews advocate for the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since Hamas' starting this war twenty months ago. 

 

Our slavery began because of a Pharaoh who knew not of our history and schemed against us but in so doing destroyed his entire empire. And the antisemitism that plagues us today results from violent deniers of historical truths who scheme against us but whose actions could bring down our larger society. And indeed, the leadership (or lack thereof) by Netanyahu and the divisions within the Jewish people are all too reminiscent of earlier times in Jewish life when we have faced subsequent great disaster in part because of our inability to unite. 

 

I have no great message of hope. I will share with you the words of Nadav Eyal, an Israeli journalist who is a frequent guest on Dan Senor’s Call Me Back. Speaking of the recent attack in Boulder, Nadav wrote: "I do not presume to give advice to the minority—the Jewish community in America—on how to respond to what may be the signs of a local intifada. All I can offer is this: remember Jewish history. When Jews were attacked, they survived by organizing, protecting themselves, and being prepared for what may come." (From his longer post, "Israel is at War: The Diaspora is under attack.")

 

As you may notice we at Temple Sholom are taking precautions — from security cameras to locked doors, we have measures in place. As always, if you see something, say something and just be aware. 

 

I want to point out that my colleague in Boulder, CO, Rabbi Marc Soloway, heads a congregation called "Bonei Shalom (Builders of Peace)." His community is a progressive place in a very progressive town. He has warned the local City Council that the Jews of Boulder are not safe. His words were made all too real this week ... and if we think it couldn't happen elsewhere, look no further than the events of the last several weeks and a recurring ideology that is found from kindergarten coloring books to academic institutions of the highest order. While the vast majority of those exposed to such ideas will not turn violent, such ideology normalizes and justifies acts of marginalizing Jews, which can permit violence to fulfill another one of the slogans, "Resistance by any means necessary!"

 

I pray for the healthy recovery of those injured by the attack in Boulder on erev Shavuot. May our prayers for a refuah shleimah and work for more peaceful days be stronger than the evil of those who rage against the Jewish People.

 

And more broadly ... 

 

May the 58 hostages return soon and speedily to Israel. May those in Gaza who are in need of medical care and good nutrition receive proper aid safely and uninterrupted by Hamas' control. May our brothers and sisters in Israel find the unity and strength to lift and love all who dwell within her borders. May there be a cessation to the fighting.

 

May all these things come to pass quickly, soon, and speedily - may this be God's will and may we find the ways to make them a possibility. 

 

Rabbi Mark Cohn, 4 June 2025

 

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Join me at River & Rail Cafe on Tuesday morning, June 10th at 10am with Western CT Jewish Federation staff from Southbury! See below. And if you can't make that morning ... join them elsewhere in the area.