May 2, 2025
Shabbat Shalom! As fires continue to rage around Route 1, the central highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem that cancelled the annual Yom Haaztmaut Torch ceremony along with other events, we know that there is much turmoil within the hearts and souls of Israelis. Other turmoil reminds us that there are just three days left to vote in the World Zionist Congress elections (if you count today.) I am grateful to our Beth Tikvah team, led by Hannah Karr, Rob Rosenberg, Liz Shafran, and Joanne Strasser, who have worked to get our Beth Tikvah voters. The significance of this election is only further underscored by events that took place earlier this week outside the Reform Synagogue in Ra’anana. It was Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and terror victims. At Kehilat Ra’anan people had gathered for a screening of an Israeli-Palestinian joint memorial service when a violent mob of Israeli far right extremists disrupted the event. People were forced to exit the synagogue under police protection. Rocks were thrown at attendees, and several were injured. Men yelled at women who were gathered there saying, “Because of you, soldiers, die,” and “Too bad Hamas didn’t take you”. Protesters also screamed horrible words including “whore” and “Nazi.” There are videos of the awful things said by the rioters and other videos of a group of men chasing after a woman who had left the synagogue.
Kehilat Ra’anan has been vandalized before in 2010, 2014, and 2016 with slogans that ridiculed the Reform movement. In response, Rabbi Chen Ben-Or Tsfoni, the rabbi of the synagogue shared the following words, “It is natural, after such a night, to feel anger or even hatred. But we must resist. We must not let hatred claim our hearts. If we give in to that darkness, our Judaism – built on compassion – will be defeated…we must walk forward together, toward life, toward light.”
This synagogue is personal to Morissa Freiberg, our Director of Lifelong Learning and Education. When she traveled to Israel in January of 2017 on an educator’s trip with JewishColumbus, she attended Shabbat Morning services there. Experiencing Reform Judaism in action, Morissa was offered an Aliyah during the service which she has shared was profoundly meaningful.
Morissa’s story reminds us of our personal connections to events and places, even as they occur around the world. As I reflect on these moments, I am struck by how a day that is meant to be unifying and honor the memories of those who have fallen can turn to further deepen divisions that exist within Israeli society. This tragic moment underscores the importance of the World Zionist Congress Elections as we strive to turn out the vote to support Reform Jewish causes in Israel. As I have shared over the past two months, this vote will help allocate $5 billion in resources over the next five years. It is critical that you vote!
Next Shabbat when we read from the book of Leviticus, we will read the famous words, “V’ahavta l’rei-acha kamocha…love your neighbor as yourself.” A friend recently shared with me the image of a bus in Israel in which the window reads, “V’ahavta l’rei-acha kamocha…gam im lo kamocha…love your neighbor as yourself, even if he is not like you.”
What fitting words for a moment such as this! These words reflect the essence and the values that Reform Judaism brings to the world. One would think they would also be values inherent to all ways of practicing Judaism. Clearly the religious right has different ideas. Rabbi Tsfoni’s words can be our guiding light as we move forward. Hatred will only darken the pathway before us, whereas filling out hearts with kindness, compassion, and light, will only make us stronger. If you have not voted, the time is now. Please do not delay any longer. Go to www.zionistelection.org and VOTE REFORM today!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rick Kellner