December 15, 2023 /3 Tevet 5784
Sunflower field at Kibbutz Kfar Aza
Beloved Beth Am Israel Family –
I leave for Israel on Sunday morning to be part of a Rabbinical Assembly mission of support and solidarity. We’re traveling to serve as a pastoral support to our rabbinic colleagues in Israel and to Masorti (Conservative) communities in Israel, to advocate for the hostages, their families, and for the now displaced residents of the communities in Israel’s south, and to bear witness to the atrocities of October 7.
Our itinerary includes a visit to Kfar Aza, one of the border communities attacked on that terrible Shabbat morning. My son Josh’s adopted family – Nira and Zohar Shpak and their family – are longtime Kfar Aza residents. They blessedly survived the attack and have been vocal spokespeople and advocates for their community. Visiting with them is one of my prime reasons for traveling to Israel.
Thanks to so many of you, I’m able to bring a duffle bag filled with socks to be delivered to soldiers. I am grateful for your generosity; the soldiers will be as well. Look for posts and reflections from me on facebook and in your email.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi David
