This week we have shared in horror and grief the news of the murders of six of the hostages in Gaza – Hersh, Eden, Ori, Carmel, Alex, and Almog zikhronam l’vrakha. Their deaths have rocked the people of Israel and our whole world, driving many in Israel to demand an agreement to end the fighting and return all the remaining hostages. We recognize and mourn as well the loss of so many innocent civilians, the many in Gaza who are displaced and suffering, and our Israeli brothers and sisters who continue to face uncertainty and loss.
Many of us heard Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin eulogize their beloved son Hersh z”l. In their tireless fight for Hersh’s and the other hostages’ release, they reminded us and the world that the hostages came from over 20 different countries, and from multiple backgrounds — Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and more.
And they have continued to remind us that the suffering of everyone in this region needs to end. “Maybe your death is the stone, the fuel, that will bring home the 101 other hostages,” said Jon in his eulogy. “I pray that your death will be a turning point in this horrible situation in which we are all entangled,” said Rachel in hers. Amen and amen.
September 3 is Rosh Hodesh Elul – the beginning of the month of reflection and prayer that precedes the Days of Awe – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is the right moment for us to come together to pray for peace and to reflect on the terrible losses of this past year.
Please join us – in person or on Zoom – to reflect and pray together for the end to this suffering and for the defense of our most precious value – the protection of the dignity of each and every human being, all and every one of us created in God’s image.
