The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College mourns with the families of the hostages murdered this week:
Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l,
Carmel Gat z”l,
Ori Danino z”l,
Eden Yerushalmi z”l,
Alex Lobanov z”l,
and Almog Sarusi z”l.
יהי זיכרם ברוך
May their memories be a blessing.
In July, members of the RRC faculty came to Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to meet Israeli activist Maya Roman, whose cousin, Yarden Roman-Gat, had been taken hostage from Kibbutz Beeri, together with Yarden’s sister-in-law Carmel Gat z”l. Maya told us that even after Yarden was returned in the hostage deal in November, she couldn’t stop working on behalf of Carmel and all the other hostages. We send loving condolences to Maya and the Roman-Gat family. Our prayers are with all the families working tirelessly to bring their loved ones home alive.
We feel our hearts break again and again, we pray for peace and an end to suffering for all people.
Oseh shalom bimromav
hu ya’aseh shalom aleynu
ve’al kol yisra’el ve’al kol yoshvey tevel
ve’imru amen.
עוֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו
הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ
וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֶל
וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן׃
May the one who creates harmony above, make peace for us and for all Israel, and for all who dwell on earth. And say: Amen.
Please visit Ritualwell.org to find these resources and more as you seek comfort and strength.
Poet Terry Boyle expresses the words of sorrow that many of us feel today: ‘I cannot tear it all down / rip out the broken heart of it / and be done with it…’
‘Souls have a way of living on, Inside of us, Forever a part
of who we are…’ Find comfort in Rabbi Shelly Barnathan’s profound words.
of who we are…’ Find comfort in Rabbi Shelly Barnathan’s profound words.
Devon Spier shares a prayer for peace
A prayer of the heart by Ariel Neshama Lee who calls out “Holy One, please bring them back”
Rabbi Hannah Spiro (RRC ’17), as guest chaplain at the Sept. 4 session of the U.S. House of Representatives. Spiro, spiritual leader of Hill Havurah, delivers heartfelt remarks in response to the murder of the hostages along with her call for justice and peace.
