Скачать или смотреть In the Face of Antisemitism - Rabbi Paul Kipnes & Congregation Or Ami - December 27 2019

Dear Or Ami Family,

When we look back at 2019, we will remember how the bright lights of Chanukah wrestled for prominence with the shadows emanating from hate and intolerance. As the video shows, Congregation Or Ami concluded our joyous Chanukah celebration with a reminder that in the darkest times, we Jews strive always to be lamplighters, shining hope into the present and future.

Yet it is hard to be hopeful when confronted by the epidemic of violent antisemitic attacks, especially in the New York area—in Brooklyn, in Jersey City, and now in Monsey. We grieve for those who were murdered and pray that the mourners be consoled. We pray for healing for all who have been injured. We hold close the members of the synagogues in Beverly Hills, Poway, and throughout California, and in Washington DC, Chicago, New York and Massachusetts that were vandalized and burned this year. We pray, too, for the safety of our people in the New York region, across the country, and around the world.

We know that antisemitism is as old as the Jewish people, but its rise in the last three years is especially alarming. Antisemitism, now as always, is perpetrated by those who hold a wide variety of hateful, extremist ideologies. Tragically, these extreme ideologies have once again seeped into the mainstream today.

Along with our colleagues at the Central Conference of American Rabbis, “We note that the victims of violent antisemitism in this most recent wave in the New York area have primarily been ultra-Orthodox Jews and those who live and work in proximity to them. Regardless of one’s choices about Jewish observance, all Jews should be free to practice their religion and traditions fully and without fear. When any Jew is targeted we are all targeted; we all share the pain of baseless hatred.

“Reform clergy are grateful to government officials, law enforcement officials, and prosecutors who have placed a high priority on protecting Jewish, and particularly ultra-Orthodox, communities in the current environment and we encourage others to follow their example. Perpetrators of hatred and each of these crimes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

We endorse Rabbi Rachel Bearman’s suggestion for tonight’s Chanukiah lighting:

On this last night of Hanukkah, take a moment to read the following prayer before lighting the shamash candle. The shamash is the leader or helper, the candle that lights all the others. Tonight, let the shamash also be a Candle of Hope, reminding us as lamplighters to work for an end of antisemitism and all other forms of hatred that are increasingly entering the public conversation.

Candle of Hope, Light of Convergence
By Ariel Neshama Lee
At this darkest time of the year, we light this Candle of Hope.
Let us say a prayer of hope for our world;
Hope for more light in a world where there is too much darkness;
Hope for understanding between all people of the world;
Hope for unity in a world of divisiveness;
Hope for comfort and healing in a world with too much pain and suffering;
Hope for warmth in a world that is becoming ever colder;
Hope for peace - peace in our hearts, peace in our world.

Let us illuminate the dark places, filling them with light - candle by candle.

Finally, we pray for the day that every American Jew – and all people – “may sit under their vines and fig trees, with none to make them afraid” (Micah 4:4).

Rabbi Paul Kipnes
Cantor Doug Cotler
Rabbi Julia Weisz

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