FINDING OUR MOORING IN SHABBAT

This afternoon, I was privileged to be on a phone call for Jewish professionals, organized by the White House, and with representatives from Homeland Security, the FBI and the Justice Department.  Each of the speakers reassured of the steps that they were taking in response to last weekend’s hostage situation in Texas.  Their actions and plans seemed thoughtful, balanced and extensive and geared towards protecting the Jewish and other minority communities in the future.

I felt like there were several options for congregations, especially those with buildings, to take to protect ourselves. I look forward to working with the Beth Chai board and membership on protective steps that we can take for our community.

Not unexpectantly, the speakers on the White House call, though, did not take a holistic or proactive approach in addressing the root cause: increasing antisemitism and hatred in our world.  I recognize that antisemitism has existed for a multitude of centuries and blotting it out is extremely challenging at best.  Still, even though protection is important, prevention is even more so.   

The most inspiring speaker was Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, reflecting on the week that has passed and going into another Shabbat.  He talked about how Shabbat is the same each week – a steady time to sit back, reflect, celebrate and reconnect.  We change each week. The stresses, the successes, the disappointments and the joys of the week shape us.  But Shabbat remains constant and steady, giving us a mooring in an uncertain, changing world.  Shabbat is a home for the Jewish community.  That message really spoke to me this week. 

I wish you, our Jewish community and especially our world a Shabbat of peace.  May we all find our mooring.  Our home.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Cohen