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Statements on Israel


 

STATEMENTS ON ISRAEL & ANTISEMITISM
October 2023
 

Israel in Our Hearts here at the Religious School – October 13, 2023

A Message from The Community Synagogue President – October 12, 2023

Response to Antisemitism in Port Washington – October 12, 2023

Responding to Social Media about Israel – October 11, 2023

How to Show Support for Israel – October 9, 2023

Religious School Update on Current Events in Israel – October 9, 2023

Initial Response on Israel – October 7, 2023

Israel in Our Hearts here at the Religious School
Email – October 13, 2023


Dear Families,

This past week has reminded us of the power of our community here at The Community Synagogue Religious School. It was a hard week for our world, our community, our students and our teachers. And yet, as our students learned and sang Ha-Tivka, it was a incredible reminder of the hope our people have for a better tomorrow. 

We wanted to end the week with some updates about how our school has been addressing the war in Israel thus far and plans we have for the upcoming weeks. 

This Past Week in the Religious School:
At our weekly tefillot sessions for students in Grades 2 through 5, we spoke to the students about our two flags on the bimah, the American & Israeli, and what both flags mean to us. We discussed how one way we can support Israel from afar is to send our prayers and love. We taught and sang our Israeli national anthem, Ha-Tivka, with all students in Grades 2-5. Our 6th grade students joined together for an open discussion about the war. The students had incredible and thoughtful questions, and we know that this is only the beginning of such conversations. Our 7th graders also came together for some prayers in solidarity with Israel. Out 7th graders will be taking part in a much fuller discussion at Torah Study tomorrow morning. 

Some important info for the coming week in the Religious School:

  • We will continue to teach and incorporate the singing of Ha-Tivka into all of our weekly tefillot sessions. 

  • We are adding moments of prayers and songs for Israel to all school-wide and family programming, like our upcoming FLAME Family learning morning this coming Sunday 10/15.

  • Our 7th grade families will be taking part in a focused lesson on the recent events in Israel during their Torah Study session on 10/14.

  • We are planning a Blue & White Day (Yom Kahol & Levan) for Sunday, October 22nd for all Sunday students in Grades K-5. Our morning will be filled with opportunities to send support to Israel through artwork, cards, letters and prayer. More info will be coming soon to Sunday families.

  • Our non-Sunday students will also get the opportunity in the coming weeks to write letters and send cards to Israel and to IDF soldiers.

  • All teens and their parents are invited to an Open Discussion on Antisemitism in our Community and World on Tuesday, October 17 from 7-8pm. Click HERE for more info.

  • On Monday, October 16th at 11am, parents are invited to join a webinar on security in our synagogue building. You should have received an email from our Executive Director, Jeff Rembrandt, earlier this afternoon with details. You can also click HERE to register.

  • Lastly- our partners at the Jewish Education Project are offering a webinar this coming Monday, October 16 at 12pm offering guidance to parents of young children. You can get more info HERE.

Please know that we are here if we can help and support you in any way

May it be a Shabbat of peace,

Shari Isserles
Director of Congregational Education

Orly Danialian
Assistant Director of Education

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A Message from The Community Synagogue President
Email – October 12, 2023


Dear Congregant,
 
I write to you not only as the President of the Synagogue but also as a mother and a community member. We have all been overwhelmed by the horrific situation in Israel and the aftermath of antisemitism felt here at home. The purpose of this letter is to let you know that you are not alone. The Community Synagogue, including our clergy, educational and lay leaders, and entire administration and security staff are working diligently to stay up to date on the latest news and are in contact with local and city law enforcement agencies.  
 
We are keenly aware of the need for heightened security during these challenging times. In the coming days, you may notice additional security measures being taken out of an abundance of caution. We thank you for your understanding and patience. Please know, this situation is fluid, and our Safety and Security Task Force is meeting multiple times daily, to assess our situation and make whatever changes are necessary to keep us safe.
 
If you have specific questions about what is being done for the children at our schools, please contact our Directors: Shari Isserles at 516-883-3144 ext. 318, Jen Schiffer at 516-883-3144 ext. 314, or Jeff Rembrandt at 516-441-0868.
 
All of us are feeling this deeply and are hurting. We are here as a community to support each other. Above all, please remember, our Israeli soldiers are fighting on the front lines so that we may continue to live freely. Please join us in solidarity at Erev Shabbat services on Friday (tomorrow, October 13) at 6:30 pm, either in person or via live stream, as we come together to support one another and to pray for peace.
 
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

עם ישראל חי  Am Yisrael Chai

Mara Silverstein
President

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Response to Antisemitism in Port Washington
Email – October 12, 2023


Dear Congregant,  

We write today in response to a situation of anti-Jewish hate that some teens engaged in locally that took place prior to the horrible recent events in Israel. Undoubtedly, what has happened in Israel in recent days only exacerbates feelings we share about the need to address this and other antisemitic incidents in our town.

Yesterday, the clergy below representing all of the synagogues in the Port Washington school district met with the Port Washington School District Superintendent, Dr. Michael Hynes, and Schreiber High School principal, Dr. Kathryn Behr, to express the anxiety and fear that many Jewish families feel about the antisemitic incident that occurred last week and the horrific, barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel in recent days. 

We are grateful to Dr. Hynes and the Port Washington School District for recent communications about both the local incident and what is happening in Israel. However, we felt that there is much more that can and should be done. To that end, we agreed to the following:

  1. To communicate that there are significant consequences for the young people involved in the incident last week (the details of which cannot be shared because the offenders are minors). We expressed the importance of helping the young people involved in this incident learn that what they did was wrong and hurtful, and guiding them to make amends and engage in teshuvah (true repentance). 

  2. To set up another meeting in early December between the school administration and Port Washington’s Jewish clergy about shared concerns regarding antisemitism, and ways we can collaboratively address it with our young people.

  3. To reach out to other local multi-faith clergy in order to set up regular meetings with  the school administration to further discussion on fostering dignity and respect for all in our community.

  4. To collaborate on strategies for working with parents and other local community organizations, with the purpose of creating avenues to celebrate moral development in our children, in addition to academic excellence and athletic accomplishments.


Each one of us is committed to working together as a team on behalf of our collective Jewish community and the larger Port Washington community with Dr. Hynes and the school district. 


Sincerely,
Cantor Claire Franco, The Community Synagogue
Rabbi Alysa Mendelson, Port Jewish Center
Rabbi Michael Mishkin, Temple Beth Israel
Rabbi Shalom Paltiel, Chabad of Port Washington
Rabbi Lyle Rothman, The Community Synagogue
Rabbi Jodie Siff, Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore
Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz, The Community Synagogue

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Responding to Social Media about Israel
Email – October 11, 2023


Dear members of The Community Synagogue,  

This is URGENT and will be the first of additional letters you will receive from us in the next day or two about what is happening in Israel and the rise of antisemitism locally.  We know many of you may be anxious and even afraid at this time, but hope you can - for yourself and your children - find courage within and use the information below to know how to respond. As we wrote to you two days ago, as Jews we are heirs of a tradition of  faith, resilience, courage and, above all, hope.

The news and images out of Israel these past few days have left many of us scared and concerned. Among our most cherished Jewish values is the imperative for preserving or “choosing life” (ובחרת בחיים u’vacharta b’chaim) and maintaining health (פיקוח נפש pikuach nefesh). We want to share some difficult information and offer a recommendation based on this value. 

Recent reports out of Israel offer a warning to parents of the potential dangers of social media. Specifically, we are horrified that Hamas may begin showing hostage videos on these platforms – specifically TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. In fact, Hamas has threatened to execute Israeli hostages on video. 

Given that, we urge our parents to have their children and teens remove some social media apps with live-streaming capability from their devices to protect them from such traumatic images. We recognize that we cannot (and do not intend to) control all of what our children consume on the internet, but think it is important to protect our young people from that which can create emotional or psychological harm.

In discussing the war in Israel with your children and teens, here are some resources we have found helpful:

At this time of uncertainty and anguish, our hearts are with you and your family. The medieval Jewish poet, Yehuda HaLevi, said ליבי במזרח libi b’mizrach “my heart is in the east.” We join in that sentiment. Our collective hearts are in the East. The Community Synagogue stands with Israel. 

At this difficult time, all of us are struggling. But we will get through this together כל ישראל ערבים זה בזה kol Yisrael arevim zeh la zeh – “all Jews are responsible for one another.” We encourage you to join us in a service of solidarity on Erev Shabbat, this Friday at 6:30 pm.

We pray for the safety and comfort of the victims of this tragedy and peace for all.

שַׁ֭אֲלוּ שְׁל֣וֹם יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם יִ֝שְׁלָ֗יוּ אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ  “Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem, may all who love her prosper.”


Irwin Zeplowitz, Jade Sank Ross, Lyle Rothman
Rabbis
 		 Claire Franco, Ella Gladstone Martin
Cantors
Shari Isserles
Director of Congregational Education
 		 Jen Schiffer
Director of L’dor VaDor ECC
 
Jeff Rembrandt
Executive Director		 Mara Silverstein
President

 

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How to Show Support for Israel
Email – October 9, 2023

Less than a day after the heinous attacks of Hamas terrorists this past Shmini-Atzeret and Shabbat, Israeli soldiers gathered to respond in defense of their nation and fellow citizens. They sang, with defiance, Am Yisrael Chai – “the people of Israel live”. Time and again, in every generation, enemies have risen to destroy us. However, we Jews refuse to allow the hate of others to define us. We look to the future not with despair and defeat, but with hope. We support one another. We refuse to be beaten into submission, to abandon our faith or one another. As Jews, we choose blessing over curse. We affirm life, even in the face of death. 

At the same time, our traditions understand that there are real enemies that we not only have a right to oppose, but which we are obligated to stand against. If the last century taught us anything as a people it is that while power corrupts, powerlessness corrupts even more. “Never again” is a moral demand that we must defend ourselves. We not only condemn the acts of Hamas terrorists, but those who find ways to excuse their acts - in any way - as a response to Israeli “provocation” or “occupation.”

At this moment of anguish, we pray that you find ways to show our family in Israel that we are with them. As we prayed for the Holy One to show compassion on us during the Days of Awe, we yearn for the wisdom to allow our compassion to support those in pain, to seek justice and not revenge, and to not condemn all Palestinians but continue to work with who seek to find ways to plant seeds of hope and future peace.

We are Jews – “prisoners of hope”. We Jews choose life.

שׁ֚וּבוּ לְבִצָּר֔וֹן אֲסִירֵ֖י הַתִּקְוָ֑ה גַּם־הַיּ֕וֹם מַגִּ֥יד מִשְׁנֶ֖ה אָשִׁ֥יב לָֽךְ
“Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.”  –  Zechariah 9:12
 

Irwin Zeplowitz, Jade Sank Ross, Lyle Rothman
Rabbis
 		 Claire Franco, Ella Gladstone Martin
Cantors
 
Mara Silverstein
President

 

Here are ways, even from afar, that we can help offer immediate and needed support to Israelis.

The Community Synagogue endorses financial support to the:

Israel Emergency Fund
UJA-Federation of New York

Partners of UJA-Federation of New York on the ground have mobilized to provide urgent support but needs are mounting rapidly. By making a gift, you can strengthen critical efforts to support Israelis at this difficult time. You can give to the synagogue through the Rabbis' Discretionary Fund, in the tzedakah box in the synagogue lobby through December, or donate directly to the Israel Emergency Fund.


There are a number of additional ways you can offer support in the coming days:

Call on all elected officials in the United States to condemn the actions of Hamas, and to act in ways to support Israel in our nation and in international forums,

Remain up to date and informed about what is happening

Speak up and respond on social media. Do not underestimate the important role you can play by speaking out about why Israel has both a right and obligation to respond as it does. Here is one resource for responding to media bias. 

Publicly show support – such as at these vigils in the coming days:

  • Nassau County Rally in Support of Israel – Tuesday, Oct 10 at 6:00 PM at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater, Eisenhower Park (Field 6/6A)

  • New York Stands with Israel Vigil and Rally – Tuesday, Oct 10 at 5:00 PM at Dag-Hammarsjold Plaza (Enter in 2nd Avenue and 47th Street)

Offer prayers – including at this coming Erev Shabbat services in solidarity with Israel at The Community Synagogue on Friday, Oct 13 at 6:30 PM.
 

שַׁ֭אֲלוּ שְׁל֣וֹם יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם יִ֝שְׁלָ֗יוּ אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ  “Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem”

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Religious School Update on Current Events in Israel
Email – October 9, 2023

Dear Families,

I awoke Saturday morning to news of war in Israel and to the horrific images of Israel’s current reality. Like many of you, I have spent the past two days in a bit of a state of shock as I comprehend what is happening and what it means for our homeland and us as a Jewish people. And, as I struggle to understand what I am seeing and hearing, I know that our children and students will be faced with information that is simply beyond their understanding.

As we look to the coming days and weeks in our Religious School, I wanted to reach out with some information and resources. Let me begin with an update on our staff, the vast majority of whom are Israeli. I have been in touch with our teachers, spoken to many and heard their stories. They are in shock and scared for their families and friends, and we will continue to support them in every way that we can. 

Tefillot (Prayers)

This week in our school, we will hold special tefillot sessions for our students in Grades 2-7. The clergy and I will remind students that we as Jews we have two homelands; we hurt when either hurts, and Israel is hurting right now. We will say prayers for the State of Israel and offer our support and solidarity. 

Elementary (Grades K-5)

These students will not actively engage in discussions about the war in Israel. We respect that each family will make their own decisions about how to approach this with their children, and there are resources below to help with this. Children will come to us with questions, and our staff will do our best to support each child. 

Middle School & High School

We are planning some discussion time, with our clergy, for our students in Grades 6 and above. We want to provide a safe space in which our older students can question and discuss the many things that they are seeing, hearing and feeling.


If you're struggling with how to talk with your kids about such unspeakable moments or even how to process them yourselves, I am including some resources below which I have found to be helpful. While most of these resources are not about the current situation, they all address the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and how to support and teach our children. Please know that you can always reach out to me as well.

Safety & security continues to be a priority to our synagogue; please make sure to see the letter that went out to our congregation earlier this afternoon with details about security in our building.

I pray for a better tomorrow for Israel and for the Jewish people.

B’Shalom,
Shari Isserles
Director of Congregational Education

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Initial Response on Israel
Text Message – October 7, 2023


In Israel, Shabbat morning was shattered by attack. Like democracy, missiles do not distinguish between people. We stand with Israel that protects its citizens.

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Thu, May 9 2024 1 Iyar 5784