First, it was great to hear the announcement yesterday about the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act at the White House.
First, it was great to hear the announcement yesterday about the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act at the White House.
In this month when we read about Jacob’s and Joseph’s dreams in the Parshiot we can feel the joy when long sought for dreams are fulfilled in our own time. Of course, it took much hard work.
This month is Am Kolel’s December Appeal. We count on the December Appeal to help realize our dreams of creating a celebratory Judaism and in living Jewish values that help create a better world for all.
During this month of dreams Am Kolel leaders are imagining how to move forward into the future. As our ancestors moved from place to place we note that each stop along the way was an opportunity for new growth. In the months ahead we will be focusing on our vision for the future. We invite your thoughts about this. As a voice for social justice and as an organization that works hard at building positive community relationships, that will continue.
I’ll be in Israel and in parts of the West Bank during Hanukah and into January. We plan to visit my son and daughter-in-law who live in Beitar Illit, a settlement city of 64,000, mostly orthodox. We also plan to visit with Rabbi Arik Ascherman and Palestinian activists. Of course, being in Israel and, especially, Jerusalem, during Hanukah, is special. Recalling how our own ancestors struggled against the Syrian occupiers is most poignant. Hearing how our friends and relatives, living there, imagine their future is important. I’m hoping that we might be able to have a zoom webinar from Israel with you.
We celebrate Hanukah in different ways. For some, it’s more about candles and gifts. For others, it’s more about bringing more light into a darkening world. Perhaps we can dedicate a candle each night to a place in this world where suffering and peoples’ human rights are violated.
In this post Election season may we light candles for democracy.
“Light is sown for the just and joy for the upright in heart,” (Ps. 97:11)
May all the festivals of lights shine upon us,
Reb David