Rabbi's Glick's Letters and Sermons

Dear Friends,
 
Many of us are still in shock at Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine in the past 24 hours. We fear for the Ukrainian people and for the ramifications to the geopolitical realities that we have taken for granted for decades – that we live in a relatively safe world where democratic values and nations have moved us beyond major violent conflicts.

It is easy to feel helpless. What can each one of us do?

Jews have a special connection to the Ukraine. Many of us have family roots there. My own family came from Odessa and Kyiv. There
are holy sites and graves of Jewish sages throughout the Ukraine. There is even a resurgent Jewish community that is now
in need of assistance.

We fear that we are witnessing a new chapter
in our world history being born before our eyes.
For most of us, all that we can do is not allow negativity to enter our minds and hearts, and send prayers of strength and courage to the people of the Ukraine.

I am sure that in the coming days and weeks there will be more concrete ways for us to show our feelings, send resources, and petition leaders for action.

May the Holy One wipe out hatred and fear
from the hearts of all peoples. May we be
worthy to rise above sorrows and struggles
to be an instrument of Hashem’s peace.
May our leaders be filled with strength and
moral clarity.

To read other prayers about the situation in the Ukraine, including one from Temple Har Zion’s very own member Hila Ratzabi, please see  ritualwell.org (Hila is the editor of this website).

May the Shomer Yisrael, the Guardian of Israel, watch over us and protect us and all peoples,
​​​​​​​bringing hope and consolation to those in need everywhere.

Click here for a video of Jewish musician Neshama Carlebach singing Shomer Yisrael.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Glick