Our hearts are heavy with sorrow, fear, anger and anxiety as we watch the unfolding tragedy in Israel and Gaza. It can be hard to know what to do, where to offer our support and how to hold the conflicting feelings that arise as we receive news out of the middle east.

This past weekend, for those of you who were able to attend the 10 am service, you heard the St. John’s Youth Choir sing a poignant rendition of Al Shlosha D'varim in Hebrew. Translated, the words are:

The world is sustained by three things,

by truth, by justice, and by peace.

This song was selected well before the violence broke out in Israel and Gaza, but as the voices of our youth, of our future, sang those words, one couldn’t help but think that the song had been written for the here and now, the words amplified by the urgency in which we seek truth, justice and peace in our world today. May God hear our prayers for peace and the flourishing of all God’s children and give us all hope in this time.

And so, in times like these we gather together, to strengthen each other, to fortify our hope, to pray for peace and to remember our one common humanity.

All are invited to join in a community prayer vigil for peace led by Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufam to be held in the Social Hall of Temple Israel on Wednesday, October 18th at 6pm. Temple Israel has asked for people to register in advance if possible, to ensure that they have the space to hold all that gather. To register click here.