This week, we hosted two major events at Beth Tzedec, bringing close to 4000 people through our doors. Israeli actor, musician and hero Idan Amedi shared his experiences of trauma and resilience and his deep faith in Judaism and the Israeli people, accompanied by his award-winning music. The following night, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg Polin spoke in our sanctuary as part of an event by the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre, offering a vision of activism and hope, including the return of the hostages.

Both nights were emotional and inspiring, and they left us with hope.

On Thursday night, we were crushed to learn of the murder of a young couple in DC as they left an event in the Capital Jewish Museum. Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were activists for peace who worked for the Israeli embassy. They were soon to be engaged. 

Our Torah portion Bechar instructs that on Yom Kippur, every 50 years (the Jubilee), you shall blow a shofar and "proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants". 

We pray this Shabbat for liberty for the remaining hostages, freedom from antisemitism and fear in our streets and for healing for all.

We are in desperate need of a peaceful Shabbat.