This week has been fraught for some and joyful for others. We know that as a congregational community made up of diverse political views, no matter who won the election, some would be most pleased, while others would be most unhappy.
At the same time, we join together in our diversity as one Jewish people, as one Temple Beth Sholom community. As I shared on Erev Yom Kippur, Jewish unity is critical to our future as a Jewish people:
“Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh - All of Israel is responsible for one another (Shevuot 39a). This principle highlights that mutual responsibility, the notion that Jewish unity, is a core value of Jewish life. When one part of the Jewish world suffers—whether in Israel or in diaspora communities facing — the entire people must respond. If one part of the Jewish world rejoices, we all rejoice. Unity is not just emotional solidarity; it’s part of our communal responsibility…Our strength lies in our ability to be united in our diversity as one people with one heart, anchoring ourselves firmly to our people, to our faith, to our future. When we are united, there is no force on earth that can extinguish our flame.” (Rabbi Sharon Sobel, Erev Yom Kippur, 2024)
These words hold true even in the midst of polarizing elections. We are one Jewish people, united by love of our shared heritage, love of our shared humanity, love of each other. We need to find a way to join together in our diversity.
US Presidents come and go. Regardless of what takes place in Washington, regardless of our diversity in political beliefs, we have the power to make our congregational community and our local communities as welcoming, loving, and justice-filled as possible. As a Jewish people, we are commanded to “love the stranger,” “free the oppressed,” “feed the hungry,” “clothe the naked,” “pursue justice,” and ensure that every individual is honored as being created “
b’tzelem Elohim - in the image of God.”
This includes making space to listen to each other with respect, civility, and kindness, and hearing each other’s hopes and dreams, even if those hopes and dreams differ from our own. In the coming weeks, watch this space for announcements of “Listening and Sharing” sessions where we’ll offer opportunities to gather together in safe spaces, with no judgement.
It means coming together tonight as a unified community to celebrate Shabbat, to honor those who served our county as we prepare to observe Veteran’s Day, and to commemorate the anniversary of
Kristallnacht, The Night of Broken Glass, the terrible, violent time leading up to the Holocaust.
Tomorrow evening, November 9, begins the anniversary of
Kristallnacht – The Night of Broken Glass.This is the anniversary of that horrific event in 1938 when the Nazis in Germany sent their thugs on a murderous pogrom: violence and destruction of Jewish property and persons, looting, killing, and setting into motion what would become the greatest example of evil in our time, the Holocaust.
Two days later, Monday, we observe Veterans’ Day. On Veterans’ Day we remember, honor, and pay tribute to those who defend our great nation, our right to live in safety and security, peace and harmony.
Kristallnacht is the symbol of evil. Veterans’ Day is the symbol of valor. Evil followed by valor. As we move ahead post-election, we pray that valor always overpowers evil, eradicating it so that honor, dignity, peace and harmony remain. We remember the evil, so we don’t become the evil. We celebrate and salute the valor, so we can inspire each other to live lives of valor and justice.
Please join us tonight as we remember, honor, and pay tribute, with our special service at 7:00 PM.
Prayer of HopeHold fast to the breath of life. Hold fast to the song of life. Hold fast to the soul of life.
Hold fast to awe and wonder. Hold fast to radiance and light. Hold fast to mystery and majesty. Hold fast to dreams, hopes and visions.
Hold fast to those who share your dreams.
Hold fast to God, who rekindles hope and trust and courage within our hearts.
O God – help us to sustain our belief in the promise That even in the darkest times,
Even when we feel most discouraged,
There is reason to trust
That love is never extinguished
That light and spirit will prevail. Hold fast to the promise that we, you and I together,
Can build a world that is safer for us and our children and all good people Everywhere.
During the days and nights ahead, O God, bring comfort and peace, Hope and light. To broken hearts and a broken world. Shabbat Shalom.
