Israel and Rosh Hashanah at New London

(Piccie drawn from Daniel Sokatch's book, which has a great title - but I haven't read)

Oh, that my head were water
My eyes a fount of tears!
Then would I weep day and night
For the slain of my poor people.
Jeremiah 8:23

New London has always been proud to support Israel, but we have never faced a challenge like this last year. There are three parts to the challenges I, and I know so many members of the community feel. There are the awful attacks of 7th October still felt deeply and feeling, this week particularly, like an unhealed scab continually pulled away. There is the surge in the experience of antisemitism in this, and other, countries. And there is the concern felt by many in the community that the some of the policies pursued by Israel’s political leaders have led to tremendous suffering for the Palestinians of the West Bank as well as Gaza without bringing increased safety for Israel or the release or rescue of substantial numbers of captives.

 

Commemoration and Engagement
Our relationship with Israel will be a principal focus of the sermon on the First Day of Rosh Hashanah, 3^rd October. On Shabbat Shuvah, 5^th October, we will have the opportunity to engage with the newly published collection of contemporary Israeli reflection on this last year, Shiva, edited by Rachel Korazim.

On Sunday 6th October, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we encourage support of the cross-communal Weekend of Reflection organised by the Board of Deputies, JLC, UJIA, Hostages and Missing Families Forum and many others. A major, central London communal event is planned. Fuller information will only be released much nearer the time, and you can register interest here - https://bod.org.uk/october-7-commemorative-weekend/.

On the night of 7th October itself, we will commemorate this past year as a community, in person at New London. There will be readings and prayer and it will be a quieter opportunity for us to come together in pain, in confusion and in hope. We will share more about this evening shortly.

 

In the Jewish calendar, the 7^th October 2023, was Shmini Atzeret – a Yom Tov featuring Yizkor and a day which, I fear, will now forever be associated with the attacks of last year. We will certainly acknowledge the anniversary on Shimini Atzeret.

 

Tefilah

We have, since October, been praying for the immediate release of the captives with this remarkable prayer written by my colleagues Rabbis Ofer and Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi. We are, as of this week, adding new language; calling for leaders of the State to redeem the captives with fortitude and compassion as our traditions calls. The calculus that faces the Israel’s political leaders is, of course, desperately complex, but it has felt increasingly important for us to include this element in our prayers for freedom for the captives.

 

Tzedakah

For sixty years, New London Synagogue has partnered with the UJIA (and formerly the JIA).  We’ve supported communities across the country with pride and tremendous generosity. This year are calling, in our Kol Nidrei Appeal, for support which will allow the UJIA to support Israel in this time of great need. More information will be in the mailing members will receive nearer to Rosh Hashanah. Or see www.ujia.org.

 

Religion and Politics

There are two reasonable cases to be made for New London, and I as its religious leader, to limit our engagement with these desperately complex, and often divisive issues. It’s reasonable to claim that New London, especially over the High Holydays, should be a place of sanctuary from the sirens and shrieks that have so often accompanied this past year. It’s also reasonable to claim that religion should keep its nose out of politics, and diaspora religious leaders especially should be humble before the decisions of Israelis. But Israel is more than ‘mere’ politics for us as British Jews. And New London has never closed its heart or its mind to the world in which we live. As your Rabbi I will, as ever, be attempting to balance on a narrow bridge. I hope for your compassion even as – for I am sure it will be ‘as’ rather than ‘if’ - I fail to articulate the perfect balanced response to these unprecedented pressures.

 

May the captives be released. May peace come.

Shannah Tovah