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Chaverim y'karim - dear friends,
When I went to the Israel Solidarity Rally in Washington, DC - what feels like years ago but was only back in November - there was beautiful music sung during the course of the event. One song/prayer - Acheinu - was sung by many though it was new to me.
Since that day, I have learned the words and melody and kept the words close to my heart and in my prayers regularly.
The words are simple —
For our brothers and sisters,
the whole house of Israel,
who are given over to trouble or captivity,
whether they abide on the sea or on the dry land:
May the Ever Present One have mercy upon them,
and bring them forth from trouble to expansiveness,
from darkness to light, and from subjugation to redemption,
soon, speedily and quickly.
These words first appeared in a 12th century prayer book and were written by one of Rashi’s students. The prayer was originally a part of the Shabbat afternoon liturgy, and over the years it has been said on Monday and Thursday morning when the Torah is read, or in some communities when there is a new moon. The prayer reminds us that this is not the first time our people have worried about fellow Jews who were held in captivity or in harm’s way. This is a story we know well. We have liturgy and rituals to guide us.
Last week, a friend of mine, Cantor Elizabeth Shammash, shared a remarkable setting of "Acheinu" with me. In this setting, you will hear musicians who are all alumni at the Bikkurim Youth Village for the Performing Arts, which was established in 2014 to provide high-quality training for high school students from Israel’s periphery. The school is located very close to Gaza and was founded by Tamar Kedem Siman Tov and Sagui Dekel Chen, both residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz.
The horrors of October 7 have affected this precious community in indescribable ways. Tamar Kedem Siman Tov, along with her husband and three children, were murdered in their home. Sagui Dekel-Chen was taken hostage on October 7. His Connecticut-born father Jonathan Dekel-Chen is a professor at the Hebrew University and has been part of the American delegation of family members of those missing with US citizenship, telling his family’s story widely to gain attention for the ongoing plight of those taken captive. Most recently Jonathan Dekel-Chen published the perspective of "An Israeli Hostage's parent" in The New York Times which both challenges the Israeli government and various framings of October 7th while simultaneously embracing the Zionist project in a positive and vital light.
The combination of the op-ed and the music should give us all pause and reason for reflection. The language of a hostage's father and the recordings of the music school's alumni give us a chance to further frame and to lovingly remember, pray, and hope. The pain that pulsated and continues to flow through the Nir Oz community stretches throughout the Jewish world to this very day.
In addition to Acheinu, the Tamari Project, as it is named for their teacher, Tamar (z"l), has recorded Yihye Tov and Lu Yehi. "Yihye Tov" means "It will be better" and was written in 1977 by Jonathan Geffen and composed by David Broza. "Lu Yehi" means "May it be" and was written and composed by Naomi Shemer during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. To learn more about both songs - I encourage you to visit the Israel Forever website and search for the songs. Both songs are part of the musical canon of Israel.
During these seemingly endless days, weeks, and yes, months, the creative efforts of Israelis and the advocacy of those who seek justice for their loved ones is unending. As "God neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Psalm 121:4), neither does the Jewish soul that seeks safety and protection for our brothers and sisters.
Rabbi Mark Cohn
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MAKE SURE TO JOIN US:
TUESDAY, June 25th at 7pm for our Congregational Annual Meeting.
and ...
DON'T MISS:
FRIDAY, June 28th at 6:30pm for a "Farewell, Tam!" Shabbat. In order to celebrate and honor our beloved Executive Director, Tamara Potter, we need YOU present!! We will enjoy a festive Kabbalat Shabbat service - including Cantor Laura Breznick - followed by a Tam-arranged "light supper" Oneg. We will miss Tam, dearly, but thankfully we have her on speed-dial at temple and it's really just: l'hitraot להתראות - we'll see you soon!!
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