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We have been here before.
Our hearts torn apart while we mourn our beloved.
Our eyes full of tears as we await the return of our taken.
We will arise stronger than we were before - that is for sure.

Time and again throughout world history, we have been here.
Nations, organizations, communities, people - have attacked without restraint.
We may take a step back...and when we stand and move forward, there is no stopping us.
When will the world learn? 

A year ago today, another attempt at our destruction.
Every moment since has been yet another reminder of our resilience...
Even in the face of the worst evil; our fears just give us fuel.
We do not "bide our time." We prepare to end the struggle...and that we will.

For those that lost their lives, we fight for you.
For those that lost their loved ones, we fight with you.
For those who are still lost, we are searching while we fight.
For all Jews, worldwide, we carry you with us in our fight.

October 7, 2023 - a day we will never forget.
October 7, 2023 - a day we will avenge.
October 7, 2023 - a day in which we were attacked.
October 7, 2023 - just another effort to destroy us.

​When will the world learn?
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A text comes through, “I can’t handle this. I can’t function!”
Another comes right away, “Are you watching the news?”
The rockets are raining down - on Israel - once again.
My heart is torn apart - yet I must focus - Rosh Hashanah is upon us.

The pictures are grim - and the sounds of the bombs falling are heart wrenching.
This constant tug of war, back and forth - who will be victorious?
Peace is possible…or not? Only time will tell. Intercepts and impacts. Fear and terror.
The conflict seems to be leading to a war in the Middle East.

Everything stops…attention and focus are taken away…as time drags on.
Please God - help us to understand. Help us to make sense of it all.
Every life is unique and beloved; Every death is painful and terrible.
Make it stop. Permanently. End. No more.
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What did the reporter say?
Is it time to worry?
What about the “Winds of Change?”
The Scorpions’ words echo in my aching head.

Breathe, Love, Remember, Hope.
Words that are supposed to give comfort.
What is happening out there?
Israel? Ukraine? USA?

Words have power - but so do actions.
Both can be harmful; Both can be helpful.
Words and Actions can build or destroy.
The words of Pastor Martin Niemoller echo in my aching head.

I would like to pick up the phone and call someone…
God? Would you answer?
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Trying to focus on writing my Rosh Hashanah sermons
I am alerted by an email
A new appointment
Day - blank
Time - blank
Location - blank
Memo - Unknown

I logged onto Calendly for some clarification
No new appointment appeared
And yet, another email…
Another new appointment
Day - Every day
Time - All the time
Location - Everywhere
Memo - Keep on…

Again, I looked at Calendly for answers
There, the appointment showed up
However, The return email was blank
The name was blank
I closed my eyes, confused and unsure.

Then it came to me - focus, think, reflect
Coming into focus - not easy these days
Was the following word:
Hope.

Today, tomorrow, every day afterwards - Hope.
When I am not able to focus - Hope.
As the days drudge along - Hope.
Tikvah. Hope.
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​Today, I decided to close my eyes and picture Gan Eden.
What did I see? Total darkness.
I could hear no sounds…it was as if nothing existed.
Then, a light appeared - a hand reached out to me.
No matter how hard I tried, I could not reach it.
It was out of reach - but I knew it was there.
I wanted to find something, see something, hear something.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the rain falling outside.
The noise of the world was all that I could hear:
Distractions, distractions, distractions.

Shabbat is here - time for rest, reflection and refresh.
What if I am unable to focus?
The day moves along, regardless.

It is time to turn my attention to today.
The weight of the world and my worries must be shared.
My community gives me strength.
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Antisemitism is Real (Whether you See it or Not)

A scape goat - first appears in the Bible: Azazel
The sins of the people whispered away as Azazel is led away.
Thousands of years later, Azazel has returned
The sins of the people are back and we can see and hear the hate.

“I don’t hate Jews…I am just protesting the Apartheid Israeli Government.”
“Israel is the colonizer…David has become Goliath.”
“Yes, Hamas is bad…but Israel is just as bad.”
“From the river to the sea…”

Hate spews from the mouths of the people - against ALL Jews.
Fear causes closures; hate causes fear; IGNORANCE causes hate.
Misinformation leads to ignorance…no question!
The moral system is turned upside down as education is severely lacking.

Golda Meir
“Their will be peace in the Middle East only when the Arabs love their children more than they hate Israel.” 
“The world hates a Jew who hits back. The world loves us only when we are to be pitied.”
“If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel.”

Peace Will Come
​
Peace will
Come someday.
Israelis, Palestinians
Neighbors, Partners
Jews, Muslims
Cousins, Family
We will fight
Until we don’t.
Protecting our people
Is without question.
Where is support?
Who to trust?
Jews will not fear.
Jews will not run.
Jews will love God.
Jews will love all.

Author

I am a husband, father and rabbi - just trying to help to make the world a better place!

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