Jewish Relationships Initiative

Author: Rabbi David Levin

  • My Blue Bag- Hineini a Humanitarian mission to Poland

    This is my duffle bag, packed with supplies as part of the Hineini humanitarian mission to Poland.  For years, it has been an intrepid companion.  It brought my belongings to Jerusalem for my first year in rabbinical school;  It was with me on my trip to Moscow and Siberia for Pesach.  We will part company when I deliver it to the JCC in Krakow.

    I hope it will find many more years of usefulness, a container of supplies for those in need in this troubled part of the world.  It is only a bag, but it carries a message of peace.

  • The land of the free means something

    The  United States must be a haven to asylum seekers.  People fleeing war and violence must be provided safe harbor here.  My people, the Jews, were turned away and the consequences were devastating.  100,000 Ukrainians is a start.  The bureaucratic red tape must give way to an open door to give immediate refuge.

    We must help those wretched huddled masses yearning to breathe free.  This is more than a slogan on the base of a statue, it is the aspiration of our land.  We must be color blind, sensitive to the desperate plight of these people whether they come here from the war-torn streets of Ukraine, Honduras, or Guatemala.

    If America is the leader of the free world, then President Zelenskiy is correct; we must be the leader of peace.

     

     

  • Hineini- Standing with Ukraine

    The preparation continues. Many of us bring duffle bags. It is a beautiful way to deliver needed supplies and an excellent way for a community to come together and help others.

    However, please donate money to the humanitarian organizations on the ground. Then they can leverage your money to get more supplies over there. It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but buying wholesale works!

    And there are domestic ways to help. Rabbi Shmuley Yaklowitz is assisting refugees in Arizona, and HIAS is helping people too. So, find a way for you to connect meaningfully, and please give.

    Thank you for everything so far!

     

  • Shabbat Shalom & Slava Ukrayini

    This song prays for Peace in Ukraine, written and performed by Steve Klaper.

    Shabbat Shalom to all people everywhere

     

  • Hineini – A humanitarian mission for Ukraine

    Gathering supplies for the trip to Poland, in my study.

  • A humanitarian mission to Poland

     

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Praying for Peace this Shabbat for Ukraine and v’akol yoshvei Tevel.

    Shabbat Shalom

     

  • Shabbat Shalom шабат шалом

    шабат шалом

  • Shabbat Shalom- a prayer for peace

    Sting brings back an old and sadly timely tune, a prayer for peace,

    May the Russians love their children too

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Do not stand idly by


    Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is being shed- Lev 19:16

    There is something we can do; Contribute to the organizations on the ground aiding the victims of war.  Choose from among many humanitarian groups trying to ease the suffering.  Consider a donation to Doctors without Borders; HIAS, JDC, World Central Kitchen.  Everything helps, no amount is too small.  Thank you.