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
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.
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.
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
Mattisyahu shares with soldiers from the Golani Brigade.
One Day…
Wishing Shabbat Shalom to all.
The incomparable Neshama Carlebach shares her beautiful rendition of Yehi Shalom.
Wishing everyone Shabbat Shalom, and may peace come soon to all.
Playing for Change has used music to share our humanity and the transcending power of music across cultures and nations.
Redemption Song is one of Bob Marley’s great gifts.
Freedom and Peace is our hope.
Bring them Home!
Shabbat Shalom
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.
We welcome Shabbat as we experience the heartbreak of war.
May we find some peace this Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom
