Category: October 7th and Israel-Hamas War

Redemption Of Captives And Freeing Hostages: So Simple Yet So Complex

While Jewish law contains many opinions, the moral imperative is clear: every effort should be made to negotiate the release of hostages without delay.

Rabbi Miriam C. Berkowitz, Moti Kaplan September 22, 2024 High Holidays Holidays

Reflections on Death (1973)

Heschel writes in 1973 in "Reflections on Death": Life here and now is the task. Every moment can be an achievement.

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel September 22, 2024 CJ Journal - 1945-1959 Confronting Death

Introduction to the Kaddish: For Those who Died in the Israeli War (1957)

Written by S.Y. Agnon in the Conservative Judaism Journal for those who died in the War of 1948, these words are especially fitting today.

Shmuel Yosef Agnon September 20, 2024 CJ Journal - 1945-1959 Conservative Judaism Journal

A Yizkor for the Victims of October 7th

May God remember all the women, men, and children of Israel who were brutally murdered on the 7th of October.

Rabbi Naomi Levy September 20, 2024 Death and Dying High Holidays

Yizkor for the Victims of October 7th

This Yizkor, for the victims of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, attempts to capture the personal details of the people killed on this ...

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed September 20, 2024 Death and Dying High Holidays

?כיצד ראוי לחגוג את שמחת תורה בשנת תשפ״ה

חווינו אחד מן האסונות הגדולים ביותר בתולדות המדינה, ומאז, כיצד ראוי לחגוג את שמחת תורה בשנת תשפ״ה?

Rabbi David Golinkin September 20, 2024 Halakhah High Holidays

How to Appropriately Celebrate Simchat Torah in 5785

With the ongoing tragedy of October 7th and the ongoing hostage situation and war, how do we appropriately celebrate Simchat Torah in 5785?

Rabbi David Golinkin September 20, 2024 Halakhah High Holidays

כוונה לכניסת שמחת תורה תשפ”ה

דקות לפני כניסת החג, מתכנסים בבית הכנסת, לוקחים כלי חרס שביר ביד ואומרים האלה.

Rabbi Maayan Belding-Zidon September 20, 2024 High Holidays Holidays

Intention for Simchat Torah 5785

A ritual and intention before the start of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah this year in 2024/5785 based on a Talmudic story.

Rabbi Maayan Belding-Zidon September 20, 2024 High Holidays Holidays

In Need of a Divine Hug: The Embrace of the Sukkah

This year, we should learn to experience the embrace of Sukkot by embracing one another, knowing that God is reaching out to embrace us, too.

Rabbi Corey Helfand September 20, 2024 High Holidays Holidays

Welcoming Special Ushpizin for Sukkot This Year (5785)

This year, as we feel as fragile as the Sukkah itself, we offer a framework for Sukkot and Ushpizin – our Exalted Sanctified Guests.

Rabbi Jeremy Markiz September 20, 2024 Holidays Observing Sukkot

A New Year Filled With Hope

Tradition reminds me that even if I don't feel hope now, it's still here. Maybe it isn't present right now, maybe we will find it.

Rabbi Idit Lev September 19, 2024 Elul High Holidays

שנה חדשה מלאה תקוה

המסורת מזכירה לי שאפילו שאני לא מרגישה את התקווה עכשיו - היא איפשהו כאן. ואולי היא נוכחת כרגע, אולי נמצא אותה.

Rabbi Idit Lev September 19, 2024 Elul High Holidays

Holding Both Joy and Sorrow

Our hearts are big enough to hold all the emotions we feel during this holiday season, as we pray, eat, and observe the holidays together.

Rabbi Jeremy Markiz September 17, 2024 High Holidays Holidays

The Power of Memory-Making

Memory-making, the way we tell ourselves our story, the way we frame our history, offers the opportunity to give us power and, ultimately, hope.

Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal September 17, 2024 High Holidays Holidays

Gathering Our People: Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzma’ut

While I express my love for Jewish tradition, I am also holding the Jewish people in my hands and giving them a kiss as well.

Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal May 9, 2024 Holidays October 7th and Israel-Hamas War

A Yom HaZikaron like no other… God-willing

Yom HaZikaron is different this year. Our troops are still falling and getting wounded. The sense of loss and mourning is not theoretical.

Rabbi Amy Levin May 9, 2024 Holidays October 7th and Israel-Hamas War

Through My Children’s Eyes: Yom HaAtzmaut & Yom HaZikaron

Rabbi Rackover reflects on Yom HaZikkaron and Yom HaAtzmaut: For the first time, my daughter was afraid to share her Jewish identity. My heart broke.

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover May 9, 2024 Holidays October 7th and Israel-Hamas War

A Seat For Those Who Can’t Come Home

This year, as we prepare the seder, we encourage an extra setting at your table—an empty chair for our family still in captivity in Gaza.

Rabbinical Assembly April 15, 2024 October 7th and Israel-Hamas War Passover

Psalms for this Time of Crisis in Israel

Seven psalms as a liturgical response to our individual and collective emotions, including grief, fear, rage, desperation, and others.

Rabbinical Assembly October 19, 2023 Hebrew Bible Israel

Hearts Broken But We Will Keep Living

Amidst the heartbreak over the war in Gaza, appreciating our lives and feeling joy is an act of resistance and affirmation of life.

Rabbi Ashira Konigsburg October 18, 2023 Israel Living

Prayer for Israel

Rabbis Nicole Guzik and Erez Sherman offer a prayer for Israel. This was first offered at a vigil on October 8th, 2023.

Rabbi Nicole Guzik, Rabbi Erez Sherman October 13, 2023 Israel Living

Prayer for Kidnapped Israelis

A prayer for kidnapped Israelis by Hamas and are being held in Gaza.

Exploring Judaism October 13, 2023 Israel Living

Prayer for Simchat Torah War

Prayer for Simchat Torah War by The Rabbinical Assembly of Israel and Masorti Israel.

Rabbinical Assembly of Israel, Masorti Israel October 13, 2023 Israel Living

Prayer for the Welfare and Return of Israel’s Captured and Missing

Prayer for the Welfare and Return of Israel's Captured and Missing by the Rabbinical Assembly of Israel and Masorti Israel

Rabbinical Assembly of Israel, Masorti Israel October 13, 2023 Israel Living

Talking to Kids About Israel (October 2023)

Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal offers some wisdom on how to talk to children of all ages about what is happening in Israel in an appropriate way.

Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal October 13, 2023 Children Israel

Violence in Israel: Self-Care and Mental Health

The bombing at Hebrew University was a transition moment in my life. I got by for about a month and then started to break down. ...

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover October 9, 2023 Interpersonal Interactions Israel

Exploring Judaism and the Crisis in Israel

October 9th, 2023 In the two years since we launched, Exploring Judaism has significantly impacted the Conservative/Masorti presence on the internet. We have worked to ...

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover October 9, 2023 Exploring Judaism Blog Israel