Chaverim (Friends):
We live in a world where news travels very quickly. 24Hr cable news and online social media sources mean that we know of events all around the world as they are happening. A result of this is that while we may feel safe here in the stateline area of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, terror attacks against Jews in Europe, Israel, and even in our own country can impact our own lives. Indeed, Binah said to me a few weeks ago that this has been the scariest time to be a Jew that she can remember. It seems that Jews living in France, Germany and the United Kingdom have been particularly threatened. However, there have been attacks in many other countries.
Not surprisingly, most of the terror attacks seem to have been connected to events in Israel and the military action in Gaza called Operation Protective Edge. Again, the Israeli Army had to respond to rocket and mortar attacks coming from Hamas-controlled Gaza into Israel. In the past, communities in the south of Israel were the main targets, and this time was not different. However, the improved longer-range rockets of Hamas meant that cities all over Israel were threatened including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Even the main international airport of Israel near Tel Aviv was closed for a few days this summer because of the danger.
Thankfully, for the people that live in Israel and in Gaza, as I write this a month-long truce has been worked out that has brought an lull in the rocket attacks and bombings. Hopefully, a long-term agreement will be worked out that will provide security and peace for all the people involved. The way the timing has worked out brings the end of the temporary truce to just before the High Holy Days.
As a community, we pray for peace at each of our weekday, Shabbat and holiday services. However, the prayers for peace this High Holy Day season will have a more immediate feel to them. Life under constant threat of attack or war is not an easy way to live, so the prayers for peace are all the more urgent for people so close to rocket attacks and whose sons and daughters serve in the Army on the front lines of defending the country.
As we enter these days of Elul, the month before Rosh HaShanah, we have an opportunity to take stock of our lives as individuals and as a community. Each year we have an opportunity to start over, to do things differently this time. Let everyone in the Jewish community around the world be able to turn from thoughts of war and destruction, to ways of peace – from thoughts of fear and terrorism to thoughts of safety and and security. Let us look to a future about which the prophets teach us when: “…shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
May each of us be inscribed for a good and sweet (and peaceful) new year!
L’Shanah Tovah u-Metukah Tikateivu!
Rabbi Shlomo Wing