Author: Rabbi David Levin

Let People Eat

I am heartsick that the WCK team was murdered while on their mission to feed the hungry.

I have long supported Chef Andres’s sacred mission at World Central Kitchen. In fact, in our fundraising efforts, WCK was the beneficiary of the proceeds along with Magen David Adom.

As Chef Andres states in his OpEd, Israel is better than this. And regardless of whatever the investigation of this tragedy will find, Israel must ensure that food aid gets to the hungry and those providing it are protected.

I am praying for the innocents who have been lost and those suffering.

Response to the vandalism at Temple Beth Hillel Beth EL

The synagogue offered the following public statement in response to the swastika graffitied on the property:

We do not know who did this. We do know that they wanted us to be afraid. A swastika is not a commentary on the policies of the State of Israel, nor is it a sign of solidarity with Palestinians. It is a symbol of hatred and division. We, the leadership of the synagogue, want everyone to know that we will not give in to either fear or division. We are blessed to live in a society in which hate speech is not tolerated by the police, who are working with us to keep us safe. We are blessed to live in a society where our neighbors of other faiths have already reached out to offer support.

Philadelphias lead role in helping people in the Death Space

Philly Magazine has an interesting article sharing how we are doing a better job discussing death.

I am honored to be included in the conversation through my work at the Death Cafe of Greater Philadelphia.

Thanks to Ben Seal for this important piece.

Check out the link below.

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2024/02/17/death-care-workers/?fbclid=IwAR3N4PLlrRNMYaEsut-71eTqtqTwQ72BlSA9cyaAoVmuhJWPtL7z2fl-HKk

Ana BeKoach

Ana b’Koach is an enigmatic prayer said to conceal a mystical formula for spiritual renewal within its plea for divine aid.*

 

*https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ana-bkoach-a-portal-to-creation/

Bring Them Home Now

Bring Them Home

This is the mantra we need to keep repeating in every conversation.  Our people must be brought home as the basis for any negotiation.

Many hostages have perished, all have endured unspeakable suffering, and we presume those still alive continue to be abused.  This is the moral basis for the continued war on Hamas.

Although Hamas does not care about the killing and destruction inflicted on the Palestinian people and crudely, cynically positions the hostages and the Palestinians as bargaining chips in political maneuvering, we care about them and will continue to fight against the forces of barbarism until our people come home.

I pray for peace, and I pray for the end to the pain and suffering.  Bring them home, and then we can take steps toward ending hostilities.