Category: Am Yisrael

  • Shabbat Shalom

    The Y-Studs guide us through the music of Shabbat, exploring the Evolution of Shabbat.  Take five minutes and enjoy as we welcome Shabbat.

    We are overjoyed the 20 held hostage are finally home.  We pray for the return of all, and may peace finally come to all people of the area.

    Shabbat Shalom

    #BringThemHomeNow

  • We still wait for the return of all

    I have had an electric candle burning in the window of my study as a way to publicly share my prayers for the return of the hostages.

    With the return of the 20, I initially unplugged the candle but quickly realized we cannot forget those who died in captivity. We want them back and hope that this cynical act by Hamas is not the last word. The agreement was to return everyone. We still wait for the return of the rest, and my candle will burn to help remember.

    #BringThemHomeNow

  • Shabbat Shalom

    As we enter Shabbat, a ceasefire is holding, and hostages are on the verge of coming home.  May this Shabbat bring the first steps to peace.

    Shabbat Shalom

    #BringThemHome

     

  • Peace, we pray

     

    I am overjoyed that the Gaza War may be ending and that the hostages will return home soon. May peace finally come to this region and both peoples find their way to peaceful coexistence.

  • The Dead Child- a prayer from the ashes of October 7

    As we remember the horror of October 7 and the aftermath, the words of Menachem Rosensaft bring us a somber resonance. Let this day of remembrance stir us to mercy for the child, not because we doubt our cause, but because we cherish our conscience.

    “the dead child

    in gaza city

    khan younis

    rafah

    is cried over

    with the same tears

    by the same God

    the same Allah

    the same Adonai

    as the dead child

    in kfar aza

    nahal oz

    be’eri

    …

    and it is

    for the not yet dead child

    palestinian child

    israeli child

    muslim child

    jewish child

    that the killing must end

    the war must end

    the terror must end

    the hatred must end”

    —Menachem Rosensaft, from Burning Psalms: Confronting Adonai after Auschwitz (Ben Yehuda Press, 2025)

     

     

  • Shabbat October 3, 2025

    On this Shabbat, the day after Yom Kippur, we mourn the tragic loss of life in Manchester.  Every murder tears at our Jewish hearts.  But knowing this was done because they were Jews is particularly heartbreaking.

    Zichronam Livrachah.

    Wishing you a peaceful Shabbat.

    #BringThemHomeNow

  • L’Shana Tova

    A timeless bit of Jewish humor from Rabbi Jonathan Kremer

    L’Shana Tova u’Metuka!

    #BringThemHomeNow

  • Shabbat Shalom

    As we prepare to welcome Shabbat, let the prayer of Joey Weisenberg help lift you up.

    Shabbat Shalom

    #BringThemHomeNow