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A week of grief

04/09/2024 09:00:25 AM

Sep4

When 21 of us visited Israel this past May on a solidarity mission, one of the most moving experiences was hearing Rachel Goldberg-Polin. She addressed our group and some others at the Ramah Israel Institute, which had organized our mission. At that time, Rachel, a mother concerned about the plight of her son Hersh, was inspiring us with her hope, faith, and optimism.

Now, less than a week ago, she, her family, and the Jewish people had her positive ideals transformed into grief, pain, and sadness, as Hersh and five others (names posted in yesterday's blog) were brutally slain by pure evil after hopes had been high for their return just a couple of days prior to their deaths.

In her amazing eulogetic tribute about her son, Rachel was thankful for the privilege of being Hersh's mom. She exclaimed that he was the perfect son for her. She prayed that her son's soul needs to help herself, her family, and the Jewish people to be strong and to survive.

Rachel's ability to speak with raw emotion, combined with authentic passion and words of inspiration, will be something I will always remember. Over the past eleven months, she and her son, now of blessed memory, stood as symbols of the entire hostage community and the will of the Jewish people. 

As six families mourn the loss of loved ones, they are joined by the entire people of Israel. We pray that the deaths and the grief will not have been in vain. We continue to pray and aspire for the day when the now 101 hostages are returned home, and the evil of Hamas will be eradicated.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison

Mon, 16 December 2024 15 Kislev 5785