Together with our fellow Jews around the world, we pause this evening and tomorrow to recall with deep sorrow the Israeli soldiers and civilians killed in war and in terrorist attacks since the founding of the State. Before we turn to celebrating the great miracle and blessing of Israel’s birth, we stand in silence and in solidarity with the Israeli people who have again been made to fear for their lives. In the last several days over 700 rockets were fired by terrorists from Gaza into Israel. Many of our Israeli rabbis and their congregations, along with all Israelis, have had their lives disrupted by this most recent barrage of rocket fire.
We mourn the deaths of four Israeli civilians killed by Hamas rockets. We extend our sincerest condolences to their families and pray for the full and speedy recovery of those who are wounded. As people of faith, we also mourn for all loss of life, including those who died in Gaza.
We stand in solidarity with Israel. We believe in Israel’s unequivocal right to defend herself against these vicious attacks. We are grateful for the U.S.-funded Iron Dome defense system that has successfully shielded Israelis from many hundreds of incoming missiles. May God protect all of Israel, and the members of the Israel Defense Forces.
As we approach Israel’s Memorial and Independence Days later this week, we welcome news of a ceasefire. We amplify the sentiments in Israel’s Declaration of Independence which states, “We offer peace and neighborliness to all the neighboring states and their peoples.” And we pray that Palestinian leaders accept this offer of peace and cease their hostilities.
May God in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, protect her and spread over her Your canopy of peace.
Rabbinical Assembly
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
The Jewish Educators Assembly
The Jewish Theological Seminary
Jewish Youth Directors Association
Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs
The Masorti Foundation
Masorti Israel
Masorti Olami
Mercaz Olami
Mercaz USA
North American Association of Synagogue Executives (NAASE)
Schechter Institutes
Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
Zacharias Frankel College
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
