December 22, 2023 /10 Tevet 5784
Haverot and Haverim (Friends) –
Wednesday was another intense and challenging day. I am in Israel participating in a Rabbinical Assembly mission whose goals include bearing witness to the atrocities of October 7th, listening to the experiences and insights our fellow Masorti rabbis and members of their congregations, and demonstrating solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Israel in the midst of a terrible war.
Our day began with shaharit at the Egalitarian Kotel (the section of the western wall open for pluralistic tefillah) followed bya briefing from Tal Hochman of the Israel Women’s Network. Tal shared with us a number of the very terrible stories of rape and sexual assault on October 7, reflecting with us on their importance and their meaning. It was a painful and truly important conversation with an outstanding leader and activist.
Two stops in Tel Aviv completed our mission. First, a drop off and distribution center, housed in a repurposed parking garage, belonging to Achim laNeshek, a grassroots group formed as part of the anti judicial reform movement in Israel earlier this year. Letters to soldiers from Shorashim learners and many, many socks from all of you were delivered. See the pictures below:
And aharon aharon haviv – the most beloved goes last – we concluded our mission with a visit with families of hostages and participation in the now daily tefillah circle at Kikar haHatufim – Hostage Square in the heart of Tel Aviv. Omer Neutra’s father and Lior Rudaeff’s son shared their loved one’s stories and their and their families’ agonized and worried concern for their safety and wellbeing with us. It was moving and heartbreaking.
So too our brief time spent at Hostage Square where one is able to ‘visit’ with the hostages in a makeshift welcome tent and join in a daily gathering, coordinated and led by our Masorti colleagues, praying for their speedy release. Israelis from all walks wander into and around the square every day, symbolically brining together the country in a powerful display of solidarity and (dare I say it?) unity.
Shabbat Shalom from Ramat Gan.
Rabbi David
