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Shalom, chaveirim - hello, friends -
The picture shown here is from a beautiful walk around my step-daughter's kibbutz in the north (near Haifa). With all that is going on in Israel, it is critical to remember all that is normal and beautiful and quite miraculous - including the Spring's flowers.
I'm not much of a stock market analyst and I do know better than to think a stock market tells a whole story. But if you look at the Israel Stock Market (TA-125) over the last year ... it reflects the reality: slight, steady growth, a serious drop in October and then not only rebound but resumed growth.
After nearly a month since my feet touched the ground here and that is about where the country is: resolved and determined, resilient and reflective. Everywhere, there is emotional heartbreak and deep mourning. Families are dealing with displacement on account of the war with Gaza and Hamas' horrific border infiltration, obligatory removal from the North in fear of a pending attack from Hizbollah. But whereas streets were empty in November because tourists had stop coming and 350,000 reservists were called to active duty (and showed up), in March, cafes are open, theaters are filled, and hotels are ... well, busier than they were but not what they normally would be. And of course, many hotels are busy because they have become the temporary homes of displaced residents.
In order to give a little insight to Tel Aviv, I have two videos. The first is of me on a balcony and the second is of popular destination in Tel Aviv on the famous Dizengoff Street. You will see one of the makeshift memorials to the hostages and those who died on October 7th. What is striking about this memorial is how the mixing of remembrance with living are not just juxtaposed but cohabit the same space. Note the music played by the saxophonist.
In this last week of my time in Israel, I have begun traveling with Amy's synagogue and our trip has been remarkably intense as we volunteered on a farm, visited the site of the Nova Music Festival, and spoke with people who survived the pogrom of Hamas on 7 October.
There is so much to say about my trip here and given the importance of visual elements, by way of reflecting and teaching, I will offer two Zoom classes April 10 & 17 at 7:30pm. While I love nothing more than teaching in person, given the nature of technology, I believe we can accomplish more on-line so you will see the pictures and images best.
Lastly, to be fully present in the reality of Israel is to also keep an eye toward international news - including, of course, the death of Senator Joe Lieberman, of blessed memory. Regardless of where you may stand - or stood - politically, Lieberman made history for a number of reasons. For us, as American Jews, he goes on record as the first Jew on a national ticket when he ran in 2000 on the Gore-Lieberman ticket. To me, he symbolizes the fusion of Judaism and American Promise, Patriotism, and Possibility. While much has been written about his life, I direct you to an obituary in The Times of Israel, written by Ron Kampeas (JTA).
With his death, I mourn and honor the values he embodied of moderation, kindness, cooperation, pride in America and his deep commitment to Judaism and Israel. May his memory be for a blessing and may we be inspired to bring such blessing to our world.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Mark Cohn
The photo above is me in a warehouse packing medical supplies. In the picture are my fellow volunteers plus our Israeli army supervisors.
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Monday, May 6 (6:00 PM) at at Congregation B'nai Israel, 444 Main Street North, Southbury. Yom HaShoah Memorial Serice and Speaker sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Western CT. See flyer.
Thursday, May 9 (7:00 PM) at Congregation B'nai Israel, 444 Main Street North, Southbury. Yossi Klein Halevi on "How October 7 Changed Israel and the Jewish World." See flyer.
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