Israel 2024

Reminiscent of 6 months ago, many of our friends, family and colleagues in Israel will have spent last night in their shelters, unsure of what this morning would bring as Iranian missiles and drones made their way towards them. These were largely intercepted. While we watch on, feeling helpless and praying for an end to the hatred and violence that drives the conflict in the region, our Clergy offers these words of tefillah:

Eternal One, Shechinah, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, protect Israel at this time of intense danger. Give the people strength and courage to face the uncertainties of the future. Give wisdom and understanding to the leaders of the country, to provide adequate protection to it and to support its citizens while still working towards the path for peace. Makor Chayim, bring our friends and other nations together in their fight against the threat from Islamic extremists and against all who seek to do Israel and her allies harm.

ברוך אתה יהוה שומר ישראל
Baruch Atah Adonai, Shomer Yisrael
Blessed are You, Eternal One, who protects Israel

If you would like to gather with others including Cantor Tamara this evening, there is a Sunday evening Ma’ariv (evening prayer) service held every week on behalf of Reform Judaism, and led by lay leaders. Please email rabbi.debbie@ehrs.uk for the log in details

Rabbi Mark’s visit to Israel 25th to 29th February 2024 Rabbi Mark went to Israel to join, on behalf of the EHRS Clergy Team, a delegation of 13 British Reform and Liberal Rabbis.    While there he recorded these four short videos:

1)  Rabbi Aaron Goldstein as we arrived at Ben Gurion Airport and waited for our train to Tel Aviv, on why it was so important to come to Israel at this time. Click here to view.

2) Irit, a Kibbutznik at Nir Oz Kibbutz on the border with Gaza which was attacked by Hamas with many Kibbutz members murdered and kidnapped. Click here to view.

3) Lee Siegel, brother of Keith Siegel who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7th and whose name we remember in our services at EHRS, at his congregation Bircat Shalom on Kibbutz Gezer.  Click here to view.

4) Rema, an Israeli Arab speaking in Haifa at a community garden run jointly by Arab and Jewish residents of the city.   Click here to view.

EHRS meets Lee and Sheli Siegel – Keith Siegel is still a hostage of Hamas.  Lee’s brother Keith and sister in law Aviva were taken hostage from Kibbutz Azza on 7 October.  Aviva was released in December but Keith is still in captivity in Gaza. Lee and Sheli speak with members of EHRS about the plight of the families of hostages in Israel. Their 47 minute video is a remarkable testimony of Israel’s suffering and resilience. Click here to view.

Rabbi Debbie on Radio 5 Live and Radio London: Rabbi Debbie was interviewed on Radio 5 Live on Monday 30 October. Her interview begins four minutes into this programme. Rabbi Debbie was interviewed on Radio London on Sunday 22 October at one hour and forty-three minutes into this programme.

EHRS Youth Sing for Peace in Israel and Gaza: Please click here to see the video of EHRS Youth singing at their October camp for peace. Od Yavo Shalom Aleynu! Please do not share this video further but enjoy watching it.

Yochoved Lifschitz – the dignity of released hostage: This video within a BBC story shows the dignity one of the very few released hostages as she says shalom to her Hamas captor. Bring them home.

Our Jewish Values at this time of Crisis: Leaders, rabbis and members from across the Jewish community including at EHRS have signed a statement of Jewish values and core principles in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The statement is available to read and sign here www.ourjewishvalues.org.uk
It begins: “We are Jews who believe wholeheartedly in the right of Israel to exist and flourish and the right of Palestinians to self-determination in a state of their own. We refuse to give up on the vision of Israel and a Palestinian state one day existing side-by-side. This is the only long-term solution that will not involve untold bloodshed.”
The statement lists five core principles, based in Jewish teaching, to guide our responses to the grave challenges of the current moment and ensure that out of this horror comes a commitment to a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in mutual peace and security.

Community Briefing from the Board of Deputies, UJIA, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Community Security Trust, the IDF and other Jewish community organisations: Please click here for the 29/10/23 briefing. Please click here for the 15/10/23 briefing. They are very helpful to understanding the choices that we are making as a congregation.

Political Action: The organisation ‘We Believe in Israel’ is running a campaign to encourage people to ask their MP to be steadfast in their support of Israel at this time. The aim is to ensure that letters from people who understand the situation of Israel and her need for support are at least as numerous as the opposite. Please click here for a link to a template letter.