Israel Update 2024

A note from Rabbi Bolton:

I am calling the attack on our family in Israel The Simhat Torah Massacre. We are now at war. The death toll is grim. The number of injured who need our prayers and medical attention sickens the heart. We are praying for the safe return of hostages.

We must be resolved to stand strong, unite with our People and support the State of Israel the ways we can from our shores.

Our family has been attacked. Our mishpakha is in mourning. Fifty years after the Yom Kippur War we have just experienced murderous violence.

We mourn with those burying their loved ones, victims of brutal attacks. Our morning minyan services (7:15am) at Or Zarua will include prayers for Israel and the IDF. We will pray for an end to bloodshed and for terrorists to be brought to justice. We will sit in vigil for the safe return of hostages who were kidnapped – Israelis, Americans, and other internationals among them.

In the name of the Five Books of Moses, the Torah of Life that we love and teach, to counter the culture of death to Jews that these terrorists teach, let’s commit to five ways to respond together:

1. SUPPORT EACH OTHER – We, as a community, have family and friends living all over Israel including several young adults who made aliyah just this summer. Rabbi Wechsler is in Jerusalem. Let your loved ones and friends know our entire community is with them and keeping them in thought and prayer; it makes a difference.
2. GIVE – Contribute tzedakah. The UJA-FEDERATION has started an Israel Emergency Fund, and we will contribute as a community. DONATE to Or Zarua with ISRAEL in the note. We’ll also find other organizations doing essential lifesaving and rebuilding work to contribute tzedakah.
3. UPDATE – Stay up on the news; share it. The Times of Israel is a free English source online. Let’s keep each other posted. Send me word about your family and loved ones in Israel. Let me text or call to let them know our community is with them.
   Write me an email, rabbibolton@orzarua.org, with their contact information.
4. UNIFY – Put politics aside and decry terrorist murder and brutality. This is a brutal, murderous deadly attack by barbarian killers with no regard for life. Pray that the enemies of Israel are thwarted and brought to justice. Make this a time to raise our collective connection to Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael; let’s unify and hope the government does as well.
5. PRAY – Let’s pray together in person at morning minyan, Sunday (at 8;45 am), Monday, Wednesday – Friday (7:15 am) and on Shabbat (9:00 am). Tuesday is on ZOOM. Recite the Prayer for the State of Israel, the Prayer for the Israel Defense Forces, Psalms 129 and 142, and a Mi She’Beirakh for the Captives along with my videos below, or listen to me recite them and then say “Amen.”

Terrorists shattered our sukkah of peace and bloodied our Torah. May justice and ultimately peace prevail.

With a heavy, yet determined heart…

Am Yisrael Chai