War in Israel

Dear Bet Shalom,

As Shabbat and Atzeret-Simchat Torah are coming to an end, our Season of Joy has been shattered by the horrible attack on Israel and the ensuing war. We stand with Israel and we mourn the senseless loss of life to terrorism and feel so helpless with little more than prayers to offer from so far away. In the days ahead, there will be other ways to support those in Israel who are under attack. In the meantime we offer prayers for peace in the Land. We pray for the health and security for all those in harms way.  

So many in our Bet Shalom community have children, parents, siblings, extended family and friends in Israel. Please share our concern and support with them as well as letting us know how they are doing. May they all be safe.

Our broader Jewish community will gather in solidarity on Tuesday evening at Beth El at 6pm. The gathering is sponsored by the Jewish Federations of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the JCRC, the Minnesota Rabbinical Association, and the Cantor’s Assembly.

We also wanted to share this strong statement of support from our movement, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ): 

"On this Shabbat Atzeret Simchat Torah morning, the day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, our North American Jewish community woke up to the horror of Hamas’ brutal assault on Israel with hundreds wounded and at least dozens murdered. We stand in complete solidarity with the people of Israel, so many of whom are directly in harm’s way, and pray for all those who are defending the State. And we pray for the healing of the wounded, redemption for those captured and comfort for the many bereaved. All people of conscience must stand in solidarity with Israel."

And from our local community:

Statement from the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

We often include the poetry of Alden Solovy in our services at Bet Shalom. He has written several poems from his shelter in the last day and posted them on his website To Bend Light.

We offer an excerpt of his prayer:

"God of Old,

We know the price of safety,

We know the cost of security.

Bless the injured and wounded

In every generation

With Your healing hand.

Bless the dead and the bereaved

With Your love and consolation.

Bless the heroes of our past

And the heroes of the future

With a share in the world to come.

Source of Peace,

Keep our soldiers safe,

And let our soldiers keep us safe,

So that they return in life and in health

To the loving arms of our people."  

B'Shalom,

Rabbi David Locketz

Rabbi Norman Cohen

Cantor Tamar Havilio

Adam Cohen, President