Dear Congregants
The stunning, unprecedented storming of the United States Capitol by mobs of right-wing protesters, incited by a sitting president and his followers, and fueled by antisemitic conspiracies, is heartbreaking.
One cannot say it any more clearly or powerfully than David Axelrod did on CNN.
"I am in tears today," said Axelrod, who was born on the Lower East Side, had his Bar Mitzvah at the Brotherhood Synagogue, and became President Obama's top adviser.
"I am the son of an immigrant who fled a country because of scenes like this and came to the United States because this is a country of law," Axelrod said. "I am in tears today to see this scene, because this is not an American scene and this was not a necessary scene."
This was a scene that was hard to believe. It is the country that President Trump has fostered throughout his term and by his refusal to concede a legally and fairly conducted election. As Jodi Rudoren of The Forward points out, there's a straight line from Charlottesville in August, 2017, when Trump said of the white supremacist rally that led to the death of a counter-protester, "There are very fine people on both sides" to the events that culminated in yesterday's riot and attempt to overturn democracy. The people who chanted, "Jews will not replace us" in Charlottesville were not fine people. Rep. Mary Miller, the newly elected Illinois Republican who told the Capitol Hill crowd waving Trump flags on Wednesday that "Hitler was right" about anything does not seem like a very fine person. Nor does the man in the mob that stormed inside who was wearing a "Camp Auschwitz" shirt.
"This temple to democracy was desecrated," said the likely new Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer. "This will be a stain on our country not so easily washed away."
Each week we pray during our Shabbat service, when we recite the Prayer for our Country, we pray: "May citizens of all races and creeds forge a common bond in true harmony to banish hatred and bigotry, and to safeguard the ideals and free institutions that are the pride and glory of our country." This prayer is also a call to action, and we have much work to do to heal the deep wounds and divisions which afflict the United States.
May the incoming elected officials rise to the responsibility the voters have entrusted to them to bring healing and exercise responsible government.
L'Shalom.
Join Us!
While we are all home-bound, Village Yontif is excited to announce ongoing Shabbat services. We've been loving our weekly services, and the sense of community is restorative and healing. We hope that you will join us.
Services run approximately 90 minutes.
A one-time registration for each is required.
Friday evening, Kabbalat Shabbat Services begin at 7:30 pm EST.
Soft beautiful traditional Shabbat melodies, more of a time for profound story-telling than study.
Services led by Daniel Neiden. Stories from Shellen Lubin.
Saturday morning, Shabbat Services begin at 10:30 am EST.
Services led by Nancy Coren and/or Daniel Neiden. Commentary and reflection by Shellen Lubin.
Services are free. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Some of our Favorite Comfort Foods
