Messages from Rabbi Gelber
November 10, 2023/26 Marheshvan 5784
Dear Friends,
I'm so grateful for the beautiful notes of support, blessing and well wishes as I prepare to depart on a volunteer mission to Israel where we will pick fruit and flowers and assist at the civilian relief center. Those are our plans as of today. By Monday, things might change. Our group will go where we are most needed and can be most helpful. I look forward to updating you along the way and give thanks for the opportunity to represent our Habonim community as we remind those in Israel what we have said over and over again here in NYC, you are not alone. Kol areivim zeh bazeh/we are all responsible for one another (Talmud Bavli)
Last night we gathered almost 50 people for our Kristallnacht commemoration. Hearing testimony and the stories of our Habonim ancestors, we committed to active memory and living with resilience in the face of Jew hatred. On the 85th anniversary of that devastating pogrom, we are inspired by the gematria/numerical equivalent of 85 in hebrew - פה - peh/mouth. We must continue to speak up and call out Jew hatred and injustice. We must continue to advocate for the release of the hostages, stolen into Gaza 35 days ago. Continue to call your representatives and demand the release of the stolen. Go to oneminaday.com to search by zip code for your representatives' contact information. פה also means poh/here. Today and every day we say, We are here. We are not going anywhere. #NeverAgainIsNow.
As we prepare to enter Shabbat, I am fortified by the hope that comes from being part of community. That hope is seeded deep within the people of Israel. It is an action not merely an aspiration. Before you move on to your next email or obligation, I ask you to do something to demonstrate hope. Call a friend. Make a donation to support Israel. Plan to join us in shul tonight at 6:30pm. Sing a song. Dance in your kitchen. Whatever connects you to the spark inside.
Wishing you all blessings of a sweet Shabbat. I look forward to carrying you with me next week to Israel.
Shabbat Shalom
rg
November 7, 2023/23MarHeshvan 5784
Dear Friends,
Last night I participated in an extraordinary gathering of solidarity with Israel. Ten thousand! people gathered on the streets of NYC to acknowledge and commemorate shloshim, 30 days since the barbaric and inexcusable acts of terror by Hamas in Israel. Old and young, tall and less tall, spread out and squished together, we prayed, sang, listened, called out, cried and cheered. We experienced a sense of unity chanting #BringThemHome. Those stolen into Gaza are more than faces on a poster or screen. They are stories and connective tissue of our Jewish family. We must do what we can to bring them home.
Following the vigil, I joined a zoom call to meet my travel partners to Israel. Those with whom I will pick and pack, organize and schlepp in the fields and the hamal/civilian command center next week in Israel. Each of us shares a profound connection to Eretz Yisrael. We are travelling with dedication, determination, support, presence, and love. Should you wish for me to share a card - with words or a picture - or have a note or prayer to place in the kotel, send those to me at rabbigelber@habonim.net no later than 5pm Wednesday/tomorrow and I will gladly deliver those for you.
This Thursday, November 9th, we'll commemorate the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht. With a 400% surge in antisemitism in the US, this is the time to gather together, remind ourselves of the stories and resilience of our Habonim ancestors and take strength from one another's presence. Join us this Thursday at Habonim. The doors to the sanctuary open at 6:15pm. RSVP HERE, where you can also give a gift to support the Emergency Israel Fund at UJA Federation of NY and/or the JDC 's Emergency Israel Fund.
Tonight, we'll gather for 30 Days Later, UWS Congregations Come Together in Heartbreak, Song + Solidarity another opportunity to be in proximity to one another and affirm a sense of hope and humanity. Join us at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 W83rd Street, at 6:30pm.
With the return to Standard Time, we are reminded of the call to add light to the darkness, expected and unexpected. Before you turn to your next email, begin your next meeting or even pick up your coffee cup. Join me in calling the White House at 1 202 456 1414 between the hours of 11 and 3pm. Tell whomever answers, It is day 32. I'm calling to remind you Hamas STILL has almost 220 civilians in captivity. You must do something to bring those hostages home. I hope when I call tomorrow I will have better news. Thank you for doing all you can to bring these beloveds home.
Thanks to all of you for doing what you can and for standing tall as Jews. Before the end of the day - make sure you vote!
Rabbi Lisa Gelber
October 30, 2023/15 Marheshvan 5784
Dear Friends,
Each morning, our liturgy provides this blessing to help place ourselves in space and time
Barukh atah adonai eloheinu melekh haolam matir asurim
Blessings to you holy one who guides the universe and releases the bound
This bracha has added significance these days three+ weeks since civilians, men, women, children, the elderly, and babies were stolen into Gaza. Over 220 hostages remain in Gaza. We must call for their release, their unbinding, their return to their families and the worldwide family. Pidyon shvuyim/freeing the captives remains one of our most significant mitzvot. Take part in fulfilling this mitzvah by calling your elected officials EVERY DAY and urging them to use their platform to push Hamas to let those people go. You can say something as simple as, It is day 24, I'm calling to remind you Hamas has almost 220 civilians in captivity. The hostages are still not home. I hope when I call tomorrow I will have better news. Thank you for doing all you can to bring these people home. We must keep this story in the forefront of our officials' minds. We must keep the plight of the hostages in the news. Click here to find phone numbers for your officials and join me in calling every day.
Yesterday, I joined a group on the UWS to tape up pictures of the hostages. At least a dozen individuals stopped to offer thanks. Others stopped to say they had no idea this was going on. While that may seem outrageous to those consumed with news from Israel, it reminds us we must keep this crisis front and center for all. Spread the word. Help fulfill that mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim. Access posters of the hostages here.
Last week, we took time to gather on Zoom and in person, in prayer and in song. We turned our hearts and our bodies to the east, even as we remain in the west. We stood in solidarity with Israel and our people around the world. We benefited from the wisdom of our member Howard Stoffer who shared his perspective on where we are in this moment. We appreciated the gift of being together. Let us remember the gift of choosing to come together and commit ourselves to those who need our words and our actions to become free. When you feel stuck, take a moment and reach out to another. Let us remember we are not alone. And then, get back to work. b'yachad na'netzach
Shavua Tov,
Rabbi Lisa Gelber
October 20, 2023/5 MarHeshvan 5784
Dear Friends,
The news continues to be unbearable. Earlier this week a 12 year old buried his entire family. Parents. Siblings. An orphan because of Hamas barbarism. The other day the people of Israel buried an entire family. 5 humans. No One Left. It is difficult not to be consumed with rage. I feel it. Perhaps you do too. Despite the heartbreak, despite the anger, we must commit to live. In order to live, we must look for the bright lights and inspiration, tend the spark of humanity by caring for ourselves and another, and make action our fuel.
As an antidote to overwhelming anger and sorrow, I encourage you to do the following.
Look for the light, courage, bravery, and kindness still alive in our world. Maybe you heard about the 25 year old who saved Kibbutz Nir Am by running to call together the kibbutz security team that held off Hamas terrorists for four hours. This is courage and bravery. Maybe you read about the gentleman who stood near the ElAl counter at JFK in the early days of the war and purchased 250 tickets for Israelis trying to return to serve their country. Kindness abounds.
Make time to care for yourself. Take a break. Take a walk. Breathe fresh air. Exercise. Have an ice cream. The other day I enjoyed some potato chips. Not the best for my body for sure but this broken-hearted chip was both tasty and inspirational. Reach out to another person. Call, Whatsapp, facetime, or email Israelis you know across the sea and closer to home. Get in touch with a neighbor. Have flowers, cupcakes or fruit delivered to a friend. Call a Habonim community member.
Take action on behalf of the overwhelming number of hostages held by Hamas, soldiers and civilians of all ages. Practice the mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim/Redemption of Captives. The Rambam called captivity worse than starvation or death. Do what you can to bring the hostages home. Hang flyers with their faces around the neighborhood. Remind people of their humanity (read that whichever direction you’d like). Reach out to me for links to posters. Post appropriate hashtags on social media - #BringThemHome and others. Sign petitions urging our country to do what it can to free the captives. Write to your representatives.
Don’t give up. Remember you are not alone. There’s a reason we require 10 adult Jews to call ourselves to worship and say mourner’s kaddish. It’s on all of us to take responsibility for one another as community. As the Talmud teaches, kol aravim ze lazeh/we are all responsible for one another.
In the past weeks, our school communities used action to fuel the fire of connection. Parents shared notes and gifts with teachers. Our religious school students made cards. Enjoy the video of their work HERE. We’ll post additional cards on our website as this project expands to more classes next week. You can work on this at home too. Share your children’s or grandchildren’s cards of kindness for Israeli soldiers, citizens and kids with the National Library of Israel HERE.
We are all in this together, for as long as it takes. We are am echad v’lev ehad/one people with one heart. As the Kotzker Rebbe teaches, there is nothing more whole than a broken heart. As we work to show up as thoughtful and present as possible, may we continue to find connection and strength, letting light, care, and sacred action gather the pieces of our hearts as one.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Lisa Gelber
October 12, 2023/ 28 Tishri 5784
Dear Friends,
As we approach Shabbat on what has felt like the longest week of the year, I write to make you aware of the Youth Renewal Fund, the philanthropic funding partner for the Darca network of schools in Israel. Darca provides Israeli high school students in lower income communities - regardless of ability, religion, birthplace, geographic or socio-economic status - an excellent education designed to improve social mobility.
In the wake of the inhumane assault of Hamas on Israel, YRF established the YRF Israel Emergency Campaign to support families heartbroken and suffering from unimaginable loss.
100% of the proceeds from donations to the YRF Israel Emergency Campaign will fund three top priorities:
- Welfare and Financial Relief to families of students and teachers in the regions of Hof Ashkelon and Netivot, and the city of Ashkelon
- Emotional & Psychological Counseling for school principals
- Technology Infrastructure & Access for Remote Learning
Learn more about YRF at Youth Renewal Fund.
With gratitude to our members Loni Kraut, COO of YRF, and Ross Weiner, YRF Board Member.
The Torah begins breishit bara elohim, in the beginning, the holy divine one created. This reminds us of the possibility of creating cosmos out of chaos. I also like to read the opening words of Torah as God created beginnings. While our 11th century friend Rashi suggests beginning with creation teaches the entirety of the world belongs to the holy one, it also reminds us that every action we take, each breath and new beginning is a divine invitation to make a difference.
As we hold the unbearable pain of these days, let us take action to make a difference, supporting those in need, and practicing tikkun yisrael, the slow and painstaking repair of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Lisa Gelber
October 10, 2023/25 Tishri 5784
Dear Friends,
The data is staggering. Almost 1000 Israelis killed. 150 soldiers and civilians kidnapped and held hostage. Comforters attending two and more funerals in a day. Of course, none of this is really data, nor merely numbers. Each represents a world, an entire world destroyed by sick, inhumane terrorist action. If only we could turn the channel or walk out of the movie theatre. Sadly, this is life and the reality of our friends and relatives in Israel. This is the moment to moment existence of our Israeli family. Our responsibility is to remain connected, step forward, and raise our voices in solidarity.
Our UWS community gathered 1500 strong last night at Ansche Chesed to pray and take solace in one another's company. People of all ages filled the pews, the balcony and the street outside the synagogue. Gratitude to our local representatives who joined us, Jerry Nadler, US Representative; Brad Lander, Comptroller, Alvin Bragg, Manhattan DA, and representatives from the Mayor's office.
We have another opportunity to gather with different energy today at the Rally to Support Israel organized by the UJA. View time and location here. [Note: This event has now passed. Find coverage of the rally here.]
Parents of Religious School aged children and teens are welcome to sit with me in the Social Hall at Habonim today from 4-4:30pm to be together and talk about what is going on in Israel. Religious School Director Karen Sacks shared resources for supporting children at this time directly with our RS families. Click here for additional guidance for meeting our children's needs at this difficult time. Especially as we learn more about the horrifying and violent videos Hamas plans to release, use your social media apps with care and urge your children to scroll and click less.
Many in our community have friends and relatives in Israel and/or are trying to return. Click here to share the names of those you'd like the community to hold in mind at this time.
I encourage you to continue to post in support of Israel on social media. Complete this form from AIPAC to urge House Representatives to cosponsor a new bipartisan resolution to Stand with Israel. Click here to support the New Israel Fund's Emergency Action Fund.
As daylight decreases we may feel the darkness of Israel's experience most profoundly. Yet our way as a people is through hope. As we sing in Hatikvah, od lo avda tikvah teinu/our hope is not yet lost....lih'yot am hofshi b'artzeinu/to be a free people in our land. May we bring light to our despair and foster hope with prayer, action, and the grace of Gd. So may it be.
b'vracha
Rabbi Lisa Gelber
Dear Friends,
On Shabbat/Sh'mini Atzeret we woke up to the unthinkable - attacks on Israel by land, sea and air. As the day unfolded, we learned of the ferocity of the terror. Murder. Kidnapping. Filming of atrocities to post on social media for the world and families of the bereaved to see. Hundreds murdered. Thousands more injured. Soldiers and Civilians alike. A dance party turned into a pogrom. The comparisons to Amalek are significant, going after women, children, the weak and infirm. The atrocities are indigestible.
We send prayers of comfort to the bereaved in Israel and around the world. We send prayers for strength to those who defend Israel's right to safety and security. We pray for a time when we will no longer know war. We affirm our commitment to stand with Israel. As Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, Avigdor Lieberman and Merav Michaeli, leaders of the opposition parties Yesh Atid, National Unity, Yisrael Beiteinu and Labor parties declared, We are united in the face of terrorism.
The terrorist seige on Israel remains imprinted on our hearts and minds. Our brothers and sisters in Israel are not ok. Many here are not ok either. Take time in the days ahead to check in on one another. Send a meal to someone struggling with anything in life. Bring good into the world. When others forget the horrors of this past Shabbat and holiday, remind them this was not a dream. The horror is real and needs our attention. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proclaimed, Terror should have no place in the world, because it is always a crime, not just against a specific country or this terror's victims but against humanity in general and our entire world. Anyone who resorts to terror commits a crime against the world. Whoever finances terror is committing a crime against the world. The world must stand united and in solidarity so that terror does not attempt to break or subjugate life anywhere and at any moment.
For those who can offer monetary support to Israel, support the Emergency Israel Fund at the UJA Federation of New York or the Joint Distribution Committee Emergency in Israel Fund
.
Those able to offer home hospitality to Israelis not yet able to return home can register HERE to connect with families in need.
For those who frequent social media, it is imperative that we continue to post pro Israel messages. Demonstrating strength with Israel is crucial at this time.
We will update the community with additional opportunities for organizational support and information about gatherings as they arise.
This morning we took the Torah scrolls from the ark, brought them close to the community and read the final words of Torah moving right into the opening words of our biblical narrative, joining the final letter of the scroll ל with the opening letter ב. Together, the end of the Five Books that circles into the transformation of chaos into cosmos spells lev/heart. We pray the heart of Israel remains strong and resilient in what feels like unbearable times as we join the depth of love of our heart with them.
b'vracha,
Rabbi Lisa Gelber
