Rabbi's Corner

This past week, many of us were captivated by a profoundly moving performance on "America's Got Talent." The Jerusalem Youth Choir (JYC), a diverse group of Jewish Israeli and Palestinian teens, delivered an inspirational message of unity and hope through their harmonious voices. Their performance was not just about showcasing talent: it was a profound statement of coexistence and mutual respect. In a world often divided by differences, these young voices joined in song, bridging gaps and spreading a message that has the potential to heal our hearts and souls, a message that has the potential to heal the world if everyone truly listened. You can watch their remarkable performance here:

Jerusalem Youth Chorus on America’s Got Talent (YouTube)

The Jerusalem Youth Choir embodies the message of the biblical prophet Joel (3:1): “Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your elders shall dream dreams, your youth shall see visions.” The young people of JYC, have been cajoling us, prodding us, inspiring us, with visions that a future of peace and harmony, coexistence and hope is possible, if each of us actively does our part.

As I watched these young individuals sing together, I also couldn't help but reflect on the words from this week's Torah portion, parshat Balak. In this portion, we encounter the beautiful phrase, "Ma tovu ohalekha Ya'akov, mishkenotekha Yisrael" — "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel" (Numbers 24:5). Balak was a king who thought the Israelites were so large as a group that they would overtake his land. He sent the non-Jewish prophet Bilaam to curse them. Bilaam stood on top of a mountain overlooking the Israelites encampment and  though he tries, he cannot utter the curse. Rather, the words that he utters are a blessing: the words of “Ma Tovu.” These words are so special that they are an integral part of our daily liturgy.

What would happen if each of us took a pause and tried to find something beautiful, special, or unique to bless in those who are different or “other” from us? If we can try to join together in our mutual humanity and celebrate those ideas, traits, and values we share in common rather than focus on what divides us? If we tried to look at the bigger picture (the view from the mountain top) like Bilaam, or the view from getting to know one another intimately, as the members of JYC have done.

My dear friend and colleague, Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, wrote this earlier this week:

I know we can’t be naive. Things are bad. Coexistence seems a pipe dream. But these kids are daring to dream it, minus the pipe.
The yearning for peace is a flame that cannot be allowed to go out. We see it in Leviticus 6:5: "The fire on the altar shall be kept burning, not to go out: every morning the priest shall feed wood to it, lay out the burnt offering on it, and turn into smoke, the fat parts of the offering of well-being (i.e, the peace offerings)."

The priests are commanded not to allow the flames of the peace offering, the shlamim (from the word shalom) to be extinguished. The Jerusalem Youth Chorus is putting an extra log on the fire at a time when war and political polarization dominate the news. As of early Wednesday afternoon, their AGT audition video has drawn 78,000 views on YouTube. And if the ratings hold true to form, about 5 million saw the group sing “live" on Tuesday evening on NBC, along with many others who watched on streaming services across the world.

If they remain in contention, they’ll become a story. If they become a story, momentum will build, and if momentum builds, and everyone in Israel and Gaza is too exhausted to fight anymore (and the Saudis and Egyptians play ball) … and the Olympic torch in the City of Lights adds more fuel to these flames of possibility, and…and… I’d best not get carried away. But we know that despair can turn to hope instantaneously - all it needs is a spark.

Emily Dickenson called hope the thing with feathers. That may be true, but the Torah says that hope is the thing with flames. Hope is combustible. --Rabbi Joshua Hammerman:
( “In This Moment: A Mensch’s Guide to Life,” July 17th)

Yes, hope is combustible, it will spread like wildfire. Hope is the “thing with feathers” it can travel far and wide with the wind. The JYC is “hope” personified. May the words from parshat Balaak, "Ma Tovu" and the voices of the Jerusalem Youth Choir remind us that we are all part of a larger tapestry of hope and humanity. Our actions, our words, and our way of life can either add to the discord or contribute to the harmony. Let us choose to be like the choir, singing a song of hope and unity, peace and harmony. And may the beauty of our "tents" inspire blessings and peace in our world.

Jerusalem Youth Chorus Repertoire On YouTube

PS: Last week, I wrote about CASA. At Temple Beth Sholom, I join six additional congregants who volunteer and dedicate their time and resources as CASAs. I salute and wish Mazal Tov to Steffanie Belasco who was just named "CASA of the Month!" Just as Steffanie gives her heart and soul to TBS, she gives her heart and soul to her CASA youth, Nadine, doing all she can to ensure her success. You can read more about Steffanie's tremendous efforts for CASA and Nadine HERE.