my family to the building sanctuary felt strangely emotional. The sight of my kid, at my right hand, so to speak, symbolized shoots coming out of the cracks in the sidewalk, a sign of continued life, and reentry into the world. A sense of peace filled me from the inside out as I imagined our community continuing to become whole in these fractured times, finding our seats anew from wherever we live, and work, and pray.
Small signs of hope are even more important these days as we watch the heinous acts of unprovoked war in Ukraine. Every day is filled with heartbreak, terror, and acts of injustice. My hearts are with the community in Ukraine, fighting for their lives, and the Russian people trapped by an evil dictator, as murderous action takes place in their name. In the midst of horror, life continues, as it must. Ukraine's Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko, posted photos of two children born in a bomb shelter in Kherson, Ukraine, entitling the images, the "face of war." He noted the babies were born under "shelling and explosions"...and that the healthy birth of the newborns should serve as a symbol of Ukrainian resilience. These images hold the faith that life continues in the darkest of times. They also pose the question, what will become of these children, their mothers, and others living in turbulent and life threatening times? Gd willing the boys will live to tell their grandchildren the story of their birth. Will the story of being born into turbulent and life-threatening times be one of lifelong resistance? Will their narrative be one of potential and redemption? Will the emergence of new life remain a sign of family connection extending from generation to generation?
Project Kesher works to build Jewish community and advance civil society by developing and empowering women leaders. Right now, they are working to meet the needs of women and girls in Ukraine, striving to provide transportation and accommodations for those fleeing cities under attack. I encourage you to add Project Kesher to your list of organizations committed to creating a narrative of help, support and agency now and in the future. Learn more about Project Kesher here and support their Emergency Fund for Ukraine here.
As we enter the new month of Adar - the second of two months of Adar in this year of blessing, 5782 - we are reminded mi she'nichnas adar, marbim v'simcha/when Adar enters into us, we are lifted up in joy. This month calls on us to actively bring joy and pierce the dark days with light. This morning we chanted the Hallel, psalms of praise, proclaiming that Gd raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap (Psalms 113:7). In less than two weeks, we will read Megillat Esther, and tell the story of our people's ability to triumph over evil, with nary a direct mention of the holy one. However we imagine (or don't imagine) Gd, it is up to us to work collaboratively, and justly, to bring a sense of sacred safety and wellbeing into our world.
As we lift up this new month, I invite us to take on the words and meaning of Oseh Shalom from our liturgy as this month's blessing practice. Oseh Shalom Bimromav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu, v'al kol yisrael, v'imru, amen. May the one who makes peace in the high places motivate us to create peace among us, among Israel, and among all gd's sacred creatures. As we enter Shabbat, let this melody for Oseh Shalom by Elana Jagoda Kaye (one we've used at Habonim) be your blessing and may each of us work to bring peace down, among, and between us, in the month ahead.
Shabbat Shalom
rg
