This Shabbat begins our Memorial Day weekend, the time when we commemorate and remember those who died serving and protecting our great country.
As a Jewish people, Memorial Day resonates deeply with our own values of remembrance and respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Remembering the past is a cornerstone of our faith: the Torah teaches us the importance of memory. The commandment "zachor" (remember) appears numerous times throughout our sacred texts, reminding us of our responsibility to keep the memory of our ancestors, their sacrifices, our history, and our relationship with God alive.
We are commanded to remember Shabbat, the Exodus from Egypt, our covenant with God, and the many other pivotal events in our history. Similarly, Memorial Day serves as a national day of remembrance, honoring those who have fallen in the service of our nation. This connection between national and religious remembrance allows us to bring a unique Jewish perspective to our Memorial Day observance. Thus, it becomes a Jewish obligation to extend the sacred duty to “remember” to include those who have given their lives to protect our freedoms and ensure our safety on Memorial Day.
While we often focus on themes of freedom and sacrifice on this day, it is important to remain mindful that each of the individuals we remember had their own unique story. This Memorial Day, may we pause to recall their personal stories of service and sacrifice, to understand what motivated their service, so that we can all seek to better honor their memory in our own lives.
This evening, at our Erev Shabbat service, we have the honor of hearing some of these personal stories first-hand as we welcome a special guest to deliver the D'var Torah: Howard Medina. Howard is the Commander of the Orange County Post 760 of the Jewish War Veterans (JVW) of the United States of America. He is also currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and is in the final year of his active-duty career as he prepares to transition to a civilian profession. The JWV, was founded in 1896 and is the oldest active veterans' organization in the USA. It plays a crucial role in advocating for the rights and recognition of Jewish service members. Our guest speaker not only serves our country with distinction but also continues to serve our community by preserving the legacy of Jewish veterans.
As we gather for Shabbat this evening, we’ll also bestow a special blessing upon all those who are serving/have served in the US military. Memorial Day is not only about those who have fallen but also about supporting the living, the families of the fallen, our veterans, and those currently serving all deserve our gratitude and support. Acts of kindness, support, and recognition are ways we can honor their sacrifices and ensure they are not forgotten. We hold them in our hearts and prayers:
Eloheinu v'Elohei avoteinu v'imoteinu - Our God and God of our ancestors,
Watch over those who defend our nation.
Shield them from harm and guide them in all their pursuits.
Grant their commanders wisdom and discernment
in their time of preparation and on the battlefield.
Should battle erupt may their victory be swift and complete.
May the loss of life for any of your creations be avoided.
Grant healing to those who are wounded.
Shabbat Shalom and have a meaningful Memorial Day.
