April 11, 2024 – Volume 20 Number 41

Sunday marked 6 months since Hamas’ horrific attacks on Israel. In addition to the 1,200 murders on October 7th, the terrorists kidnapped around 250 individuals. While many world leaders supported Israel in the early days of the war, there seems to be a significant shift to a focus on a cease-fire. Israel is open to a short-term cease fire for the release of hostages, but is committed to annihilating Hamas. In the current negotiations with Hamas, the terrorist organization is seeking two extreme demands: 1) A permanent cease fire, and 2) the release of Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons. In the past, Israel has agreed to exchange Palestinian prisoners who are a low-level security threat for Israeli hostages. However, the current demands by Hamas include terrorists who have murdered or have been responsible for large attacks.

Of the 250 initial hostages, around 130 remain in captivity. It is assumed that some of the 130 are dead (likely over two dozen). Just yesterday, Hamas is saying that they are having a hard time finding 40 hostages who are currently alive. It is not clear if this is accurate or part of a strategy. There are now large protests in Israel by the captives’ families and other Israelis who seek an immediate release of hostages. But there are also many Israelis who are concerned that a cease-fire does little to protect Israel long-term from additional terrorist attacks. They would prefer for Israel to stay its course and destroy Hamas.

Outside of Israel, there is a debate about the impact of this war on Palestinian civilians. What is disconcerting to me is that there has been a lack of coverage of how Hamas is responsible for putting Palestinian lives in danger. The terrorists hide among the civilians, including placing tunnel entrances, weapons, and military operations in civilian areas. Instead, world leaders seem to be focusing mainly on Israeli military operations. When they need to be applying pressure on countries who support Hamas and its tactic of human-shields, like Iran, UAE, Turkey, and others.

Israeli needs our support in these difficult times. Standing with Israel allows for a diversity of viewpoints. Some may feel that it is harder to support Israel, especially if they disagree with its government. One can be an advocate, while also articulating concerns and disagreement with policy. And yet, we need to say clearly Israel has a right to exist without risk of terrorist attacks. Saying loudly that all hostages need to be released immediately. Innocent people should not be used as pawns. If the Palestinians would abandon Hamas, and the world would hold these terrorists accountable, then there would be a clear path forward for a Palestinian state living peacefully next to Israel. By doing this, the Palestinians could leverage support, forcing Israel to be partners in a long-term peace solution. Let us hope and pray that the negotiations in Cairo bring an end to this horrible situation, allowing Israelis and Palestinians to coexist and hopefully one day be peaceful neighbors.

L'Shalom,

Rabbi Jesse

EVENTS

Rabbi Michael Marmur, Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College/Jerusalem!

TONIGHT Thursday, April 11th, 7:30 pm

“A New Way of Thinking About the Jewish Future”

Associate Professor of Jewish Theology, Rabbi Michael Marmur, from the Hebrew Union College, will bring a distinction known from the world of science concerning states of matter – solid, liquid, and gas – and see how it might inform our thinking about the Jewish future. This idea features in Rabbi Marmur’s soon-to-be-published book, which offers some other new ways of thinking.



This is a FREE event, walk-in welcome.

Sponsored by:

Comedy with Joe Matarese & Friends

THIS Saturday, April 13th, Doors Open 7:30 pm

Joe Matarese has been on The Howard Stern Show, WTF with Marc Maron, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents Joe Matarese! Find out more about this Celebrity Comedian who's been on "America's Got Talent."

ONLINE reservations will close TONIGHT midnight. Click to RSVP! Call the Temple tomorrow Friday, to RSVP with credit card. $10 increase at door for walk-ins. Complimentary beer and wine included.

Family Shabbat & Pizza

NEXT Friday, April 19th

Service: 6:00 – 6:30 pm 

(new end time for families)

FREE Pizza Dinner: 6:30–7:30 pm

At 6:30 pm, we invite those who wish to participate in more traditional aspects of our service to remain for Mi Shebeirach (healing), Aleinu and Kaddish (mourners’) prayers.

Online RSVPs open until midnight April 17th

PASSOVER

Erev Pesach: Monday, April 22nd

3:00 pm closing of Temple Office & Kehillah School

Pesach: Tuesday, April 23rd

Temple Office, Kehillah School, and Chavaya Closed

Pesach, Last Day: Monday, April 29th

Passover Festival Service, 10:30 am

Temple Office and Kehillah School closed

SAVE THE DATE

Brotherhood Walking Tour of Harlem

Sunday, May 5th, 10:45 am-1:15 pm meet at Apollo Theater 253 West 125th Street New York, NY, 10027

$25, more details and RSVP link to follow

SAVE THE DATE

Mitzvah Day, including Blood Drive 

Sunday, May 19th

Breakfast 9:30 am Mitzvah Activities 10:00 am-12:00 pm Brotherhood Blood Drive 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Burying of the Genizah at Sharon Gardens 1:00 pm

(Ritual burial of items like prayer books and Torah scrolls that can no longer be used). More details to follow

ISRAEL TRIP 2025

Thursday, February 13th – Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 with Rabbi Jesse

DID YOU KNOW? One of the planned highlights is to walk through colorful Neve Zedek, one of Tel Aviv's earliest neighborhoods.

ALL ARE INVITED, all ages, all members, and all friends.

Click here for details, and to make reservations for the Israel Trip TODAY!

Gala 2024 - a Greek Feast Fundraiser of the Year!

Saturday, June 1, 2024 6:30 pm

Invites are out! Get ready to RSVP, purchase a Journal Ad, and have some FUN!

Honoring Saky Yakas & Lisa Keller Yakas

Fabulous food catered by "Standing Room Only." Live music by Grateful-Bro. 50/50 raffle ... and so MUCH MORE!

Click here for the details, to RSVP, and to purchase a Journal Ad ... by Friday, May 3rd!

Find this and many other wonderful books! Remember to sign the card at the back of the book and leave it in the red box on the librarian’s desk! The Library is open every day!

Websites:

Temple Israel | Chavaya | Kehillah School | Camp Pinebrook | Library Book Reservations

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