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Chaveirim y'karim - dear friends,
It was at once a terrible night in Israel and yet a critically important night for Israel and for the West.
As Israelis were in bomb shelters in the middle of the night, air defense systems worked exceedingly well - with a very high price tag - and no Israeli fatalities were recorded.
There is a seven-year-old Bedouin girl who was injured when shrapnel from an intercepted rocket fell upon her home. She is in critical care and we pray for her well-being.
The United States and the United Kingdom stepped up to aid their friend and ally, our people's national homeland, the State of Israel. Allegiances and alliances held with Middle Eastern countries like Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Abraham Accords countries.
170 Drones.
120 Ballistic Missiles.
30 Cruise Missiles.
99% of them were stopped - many before even reaching Israeli air space.
Iran has launched a frightening campaign against Israel for years and this only exposed what has been done through second parties like Hizobollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. Israel rightfully will respond based on the attempt - not on the actual number of targets hit, which was one: an airbase in southern Israel. The death-cult of Islamic radicalism seeks the end of Israel and as was apparent last week at a rally in Dearborn, MI, the death of America as well. The war which Israel wages is not just to protect its citizens - Arab and Jewish alike - but to preserve a way of life which we in the West value: of enlightenment, of equality, and of freedom.
The irony of seeing Israel destroy Iranian missiles over the Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem was unimaginable. It was a Jewish State protecting Muslim holy sites from an attacking Islamic Republic. Iran's missiles could just as easily hit and destroy Muslim sites and lives as Jewish ones.
And so. What can we actually DO?
For now it is upon us to:
- educate ourselves on the situation;
- follow updates;
- pray with the words of our heritage which call us to support our brothers and sisters and remember the Source of strength and life;
- reach out to Israeli friends and family to check in and see how they are doing;
- donate to organizations that are supporting Israel, combatting antisemitism, and providing proper and correct information about Israel's current fight for quiet and survival.
I've got a few suggestions for learning, praying, and giving below.
As I learned from a friend in Israel ... we simply say: sh'yihi shavua tov yoteir - may it be a better week, l'shalom,
Rabbi Mark Cohn
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