Shabbat Gathering: Israel on its birthday.

Dear Chevra, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 963 5113 1550
Password: 1989
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

Based on some of my previous posts, you might well imagine that I have mixed feelings about Israel's birthday. And you'd be right. This past week, we observed the 75th anniversary of Israel's founding, and I've tried to write something that captures my ambivalence, but feel too torn about the topic. Fortunately, I found an article on The Forward that seem to capture my feelings. The article is written by Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the CEO of T'ruah, the rabbinic call for human rights.

The Forward: As Israel turns 75, we should celebrate by fighting for it to live up to its ideals

by By Rabbi Jill Jacobs

I spent July 4, 2017, at Trump Tower protesting the ban on travel from Muslim countries, enacted earlier that year. For me, standing side by side with Muslim, Christian and other faith leaders to fight discrimination was the best possible way to celebrate America’s independence.

This month, Israel marks the monumental occasion of its 75th anniversary. There is much to celebrate: The establishment of the State of Israel is, without doubt, one of the greatest accomplishments of the Jewish people in the last century. The country has provided safety for millions of Jews fleeing oppression, helped revive Hebrew language and culture, and allowed Jews access to our most sacred historical sites.

And there is much to mourn and protest, beginning with the 56-year-old occupation that violates the human rights of Palestinians every single day; the ongoing discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel, Mizrahi and Ethiopian Jews, asylum seekers and foreign workers; and, this year, the all-out attack on democracy perpetuated by the current government.

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And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!
Gut Shabbes!

All my love,
brian.

PS

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