Rally for Israel-Philadelphia Style

Today, at Love Park in Center City Philadelphia, the Jewish Community gathered to show our support for the State of Israel. The event was attended by approximately 2,500 people and speakers included Senator Arlen Specter, among others. Senator Specter stated that, "Israel's recent incursion into Gaza was justified because the country "has every right under international law to defend itself against rocket fire from Hamas." There were signs that echoed the same sentiment, saying, "How would you like rockets thrown at your home."

Early this morning, before the rally, I received an email from Rabbi Edgar Nof, the rabbi of Congregation Or Chadash in Haifa, Israel. He stated that, "As you may already know, the North woke up this morning to find that for the first time during this war, 5 rockets were thrown onto the North of Israel from Southern Lebanon, reaching the coastal city of Nahariyah and the Western Galilee. There, regrettably, a nursing home was hit, but no one was hurt as the residents were at that time eating their breakfast in another part of the home. The IDF retaliated by sending mortar fire into the sites from where they believe that the rockets were launched. As of now, the citizens of Israel do not know yet whether the North will become a new front in this war, therefore deeming the next 24 hours very crucial in determining this.

While, it remains quiet for the time being in Haifa, this has brought flashbacks of 2006 back to reality, and has brought the North into a newly heightened state of preparedness and worry. Luckily at Or Hadash, we are very prepared for such an attack, and have learned a lesson from the last war, when we had to renovate our shelter amidst the rocket barrages. Now, thanks to our friends and donors from abroad, (including the URJ, WUPJ, ARZA, and the AJC) have one of the best equipped bomb shelters that will protect us against the most horrifying of scenarios."

Let us all hope and pray that Haifa, and the rest of Israel, will soon be blessed with God's greatest gift, the gift of Shalom, of peace.

Lessons Learned from the Fall of Bernie Madoff

Bernie Madoff will be in the news for months if not years to come. Investors, as well as recipients, of the 50 Billion dollars invested with Madoff have already felt the consequences. Jewish institutions, as well as secular institutions, have lost a substantial source of funding and are being forced to look internally at their budgets.

The Jewish community is not only feeling the hit financially, but also emotionally. Not only here in the United States, but also internationally, the press makes sure to mention that Madoff is a Jew. Many have commented on the potential impact of this.

The best article I have seen is
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/nyregion/23yeshiva.html). It is well worth the read.

Let us all think about, especially as 2009 is upon us, how we begin to trust in humanity, and ourselves, once again.

All my best for a happy, healthy, and sweet 2009!