| As we prepare to enter Shabbat this week, we do so with heavy hearts. We grieve the tragic loss of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a Chabad emissary, murdered in the United Arab Emirates. The pain of this incident ripples far beyond the Chabad community. It touches every Jew, regardless of denomination, reminding us of a profound truth: we are one people, bound by shared history, faith, and destiny.
Judaism teaches that “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh ba-zeh - all of Israel are responsible for one another" (B. Talmud Shevuot 39a). When one part of our Jewish family suffers, we all feel the pain. This principle transcends ideological and denominational boundaries. Rabbi Kogan’s dedication to preserving and strengthening Jewish life speaks to values that resonate across the Jewish spectrum: commitment, faith, and the power of connection. These help build bridges of understanding, community, wholeness, and inspiration.
Our Torah also demands that we speak out against violence and uphold justice. Rabbi Kogan’s death is a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities we face as Jews, even in places where we have begun to feel safe. The biblical commandment “lo ta’amod al dam re’echa—do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16)—calls us to action, not just to mourn but to support efforts to protect Jewish communities wherever we live.
This murder diminishes us all. Not simply because it is a heinous act and it is another example of unmitigated hate and antisemitism. Rather, our Jewish tradition reminds us, “One who destroys a life, it is as if they destroyed an entire world” (B. Talmud Sanhedrin 37a). Therefore, we are all diminished because he had so much more to give, so much more to share, so much more light to bring to us and the world. The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) issued this statement immediately after news of his murder was made public: “Reform rabbis are heartbroken by the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, a member of the Chabad community, living in Abu Dhabi. May his memory be a blessing, and may his family, community, and all who knew him be comforted at this time.”
As we enter Shabbat this week, we reflect on how we can honor Rabbi Kogan’s memory and the sacred work he carried out. What can we do to foster deeper bonds among Jews of all denominations, ensuring that the divisions within our people do not blind us to our shared destiny? This tragedy reminds us that, regardless of our specific practices or philosophies, we are one people.
Let us bring Rabbi Kogan’s memory into our Shabbat prayers, dedicating this holy day to the principle of Jewish unity. Let us also take the lesson of ahavat Yisrael—love of all Jews—to heart, by reaching out to those whose Jewish journey looks different from ours. In this way, we transform tragedy into a renewed commitment to live as one united people, a light in a world too often darkened by hatred.
I understand that as a Reform, pluralistic Jew this is often easier for me than for someone with a more fundamental understanding of Judaism. In the face of rising antisemitism and violence worldwide, it is tempting to retreat into our own denominational silos. This horrific event reminds us that we must instead come together. When one Jew suffers, we all suffer. When one Jew is lost, we are all diminished. Rabbi Kogan’s murder is a call to break down the walls that divide us and to affirm that, first and foremost, we are all part of Am Yisrael, the people of Israel.
This tragedy reminds us of the sanctity of life and the fragility of peace. Rabbi Kogan's presence in the UAE was a testament to the strides toward coexistence and dialogue in a region long marked by conflict. His loss should galvanize us to redouble our efforts to promote peace, understanding, and security for Jews—and for all people—around the globe.
As we light Shabbat candles this week, let the flames remind us of the unity of the Jewish people, a unity that transcends the different ways we may pray, study, or identify. Let those flickering lights also symbolize hope: hope for a world where such tragedies cease, where Jews of all denominations support one another not only in grief but in shared purpose, and where the peace Rabbi Kogan helped foster becomes his enduring legacy.
May this Shabbat bring us closer to the unity and peace he strived to build. Zichrono livracha - may his memory be for a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom!
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