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Our God and God of our ancestors,
as we [prepare to] observe another Memorial Day in America, bless us with the gifts of memory and understanding, that we may appreciate the true meaning of this [that] day, an annual occasion to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country and for their fellow citizens. |
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God of compassion,
let those who made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we may live in freedom, rest in peace, honored by a grateful nation. Remember their parents, partners, children and all the loved ones they left behind. Protect and comfort them; bring them peace. |
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God of justice,
remind us of the debt we owe to those who lost their lives in the defense of our nation, and to the families that go on without them. Fill the heart of every American with pride in those who served, and caring concern for their survivors. |
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May it be Your will
that every American be re-dedicated to the task of building a nation worthy of the sacrifices made by our honored dead. And may it be Your will, also, that all of us pursue a just peace throughout the world, so that no more lives are lost in armed conflict anywhere in Your creation. |
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And let us say Amen.
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Author: Rabbi David Levin
Shabbat Shalom
Oseh Shalom is a prayer for peace, real peace. We pray to the One to bring peace down, in other words, to give us the strength and courage to make that happen. May it be so! Let Elana Jagoda’s beautiful rendition of Oseh Shalom bring this prayer into your heart.
Shabbat Shalom
Bring them Home!
Shabbat Shalom – May Peace be upon us
We welcome Shabbat with the song Shalom Aleichem, May Peace be upon you. When greeted this way, our response is Aleichem Shalom, And May Peace be upon you. The wish for peace unites all people of goodwill, and May it become our reality soon. This rendition by the Ma’ayan Band is a beautiful and pensive way to experience this song and feeling.
Shabbat Shalom
Anti-AntiSemitism
Anti-Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism is here. It is ugly and real. It never went away, even though we almost believed it did. This is not a time to cower; it is a time to act decisively and urgently.
Our strength lies in our unity and our shared values. We are not alone in this fight but bound together by a tradition of wisdom and insight rooted in humanity’s best values. With these as our guide, we will overcome.
Let’s shift from sorrow to action. In these challenging times, let our Judaism be our strength. Seek the light and community that fortify us. Stand firm in our beliefs; together, we will construct a world founded on love and kindness. Let’s stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow Jews, extend our blessings to those in need, and illuminate the world. Let’s also reach out to other allies, all people of goodwill, and unite for a common cause. Evil will not triumph. Together, we will flood the world with light, pushing back the darkness to where it belongs.
Shabbat Shalom
Arguably, the greatest group of all time was the Beatles.
John Lennon’s song, Revolution, has become yet again relevant. It’s a strange way to welcome Shabbat, perhaps, but after we’ve listened, let’s start singing songs of peace and work towards achieving that.
Shabbat Shalom
What do you want? Clarity is critical.
What do you want? Clarity is critical.
There are many messages in the Campus protests; which is yours? Divestiture, Ceasefire, rebuilding Gaza, developing a Palestinian State, or something else? What about peace?
The message of peace and the coexistence of two peoples will carry the day.
Without articulating what you stand for and what you do not, you are lumped into the “everything” category, which includes antisemitism and the elimination of Israel.
Israel is here to stay. That is an indisputable fact. If you refuse to accept this reality, you essentially oppose a peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue. The region’s people must find a way to live together, for neither is going away.
Building trust and a willingness to accept the other’s presence and narrative must occur on both sides for Palestinians and Israelis. This will take time and effort- lots of each.
This pragmatic politics is problematic for idealogues to embrace. But if peace is the end goal, the ability to live in relative safety and security, this realpolitik must dominate the day. Otherwise, the people will continue to suffer and die. And our tradition says, choose life.
Don’t Squander the moment. The campuses have our attention. They can be places where truth is spoken to power, not merely a place to advocate reductionist ideologies, where critical moral issues are advanced, recognizing the dignity of all people in the region. Seize the moment.
Shabbat Shalom
Cantor Azi Schwartz shares a ballad to his homeland that I share with you on this Shabbat.
“This song is dedicated to my country. Not the one that was here a week ago, the one we will rebuild when all this is over.” Hanan Ben Ari, October 16, 2023.
Shabbat Shalom
Chag Pesach Sameach
Dear Friends,
This Pesach is genuinely unique. The question, Mah Nishtanah HaLailah Hazeh, takes on a whole new level of meaning as we confront the most challenging moments in our recent history.
Our tradition is guided by hope; together, we will get through this, guided by empathy and love for all, including those with whom we disagree.
As we gather around the seder table, let us share the ancient story of our journey towards freedom. Let us teach it to our children and embrace the values that unite us, making our tradition so wise and timeless. Guided by the psalmist’s words, Olam Chesed Yibaneh, we will build this world with love.
Wishing you all Chag Pesach Sameach
Rabbi David
A Way forward with BMFI (Bryn Mawr Film Institute)
Dear Mr. Scott
As we all agree, pulling the movie The Child Within Me was wrong. A weak apology followed. Indeed, that apology did not bring me back into the fold. I am not alone in feeling like BMFI continues to let me down. So, how do we move forward?
This is a pivotal moment for your board and the community you serve. It’s an opportunity for growth, learning, and repair, where you can repair by transforming into a place for understanding, decision-making dynamics, and guided exploration of the mission and the complex issues it may raise.
Who are the BFMI stakeholders?
What is BMFI’s mission, and how does that mission intersect with the stakeholders’ and the community’s needs?
By convening a gathering to discuss the current situation openly, we can collectively work towards meaningful repair for the community. Your active participation and engagement are crucial in the healing process.
Let’s restore BMFI’s reputation and dedication to bringing culture into our community.
Uncanceled, but Still Canceled
The news from Bryn Mawr is ambivalent.
There is good news and bad news.
First, the good news:
The courts intervened, and the BMFI must now show the film.
Now, the bad news:
Bryn Mawr Film Institute has not retracted its statement nor amended its thinking.
So, we get to see a movie in a place that is hostile to showing it.
The stakes have been raised on both sides as the film is now set to be shown. Those supporting the right to see the movie and those protesting Israel will be out in full force. I hope that each side can express their views without hindrance from the other. Whichever side you are on, strive for peace.
You guys at BMFI need to rethink your leadership. Whoever is in charge should be thanked for their past service and shown the door. Until at least a meaningful apology is offered, consider me a former member.