Dear Friends,

This past weekend, the wave of firepower aimed at Israel from Iran sent Israelis to their safe rooms. The rest of us held our breath and sent texts of support. After the long night, the results were benign compared to what they could have been. We’re thankful for Israel’s strength and resolve, and thankful for Israel’s allies, including the U.S. Together they demonstrated to Israelis and the world over that Israel is not isolated or alone, and it’s not weak or unprepared. My hope is that Israel will enjoy the afterglow of this success with its allies in the region and beyond it. Israel has friends among Arab and western nations, and they turned out to help Israel. But Israel needs all of us—left or right, Republican or Democrat, young or old—to stand with Israel, too. What happened on Saturday night is what this has always been about—Iran’s goals for Israel’s end, and its own domination over the region. To misunderstand this has always been a grave error.

This poem by author and poet, Alden Solovy, is a reflection on this past weekend’s events and fear. Read his words and let them penetrate your heart and soul. Alden publishes with the CCAR Press, and will be our guest in September at Congregation Beth Israel. And take 15 minutes to hear my Shabbat Message about Israel from Friday, April 12th, a day before Iran fired on Israel: https://youtu.be/xeQioVgpzEM

Am Yisrael Chai!

L’Shalom,