TBI Stands with Israel

Pictured: Rabbis holding Sefer Torahs left to right; Rabbi Zeplowitz (Community), Rabbi Paltiel (Chabad), Rabbi Siff (RSNS), Rabbi Mendelson (PJC), Rabbi Perlman (TBI), Rabbi Chizner (Judea), Rabbi Mishkin (TBI), Rabbi Rothman (Community), Cantor Franco (Community)

October 8, 2024

Shalom, Friends,
Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israel. Some 1,200 of our Brothers and Sisters in Israel were murdered that day, and 251 Israeli residents (Jew and non-Jew, with varying nationalities) were taken captive in Gaza. It is unconscionable that 101 Israeli captives – alive and dead – are still being held in Gaza; today is Day 368. 

Compounding our pain over the past year has been the insensitivity and callousness of so many people in the U.S. and in Western capitals around the world, who have, at best, remained neutral in response to this terror attack, or worse, sided with the forces of terror and evil.  

Here in Port Washington, to commemorate the massacre in Israel, over 800 people filled The Community Synagogue last night for a beautiful and moving ceremony. We heard heartfelt testimonies from our Long Island Israeli delegation – three young women, Lior Pinchas, Ella Yanir, and Shaked Zazon, who was supposed to have been at the Nova Festival. All the Torahs were removed from the ark, the shofar was sounded, and everyone joined together in the singing of “Hatikvah.” We are blessed to live in a community where all the synagogues are united in their support for one another, and for Israel. 

We must never forget what happened in Israel.
We must never forget the victims of the attack.

And we must do everything in our power to keep the plight of the hostages in the forefront of people’s minds, and reconfirm our commitment to speak up for them.

We are sharing the links to two very important articles:
“The End of the Post-Holocaust Era,” by Yossi Klein Halevi
Oct. 7^th shattered Israelis’ faith that the state would protect them and shook American Jewry’s sense of full social acceptance – but there is a way forward.

“The Year American Jews Woke Up,” by Bret Stephens
American Jews were aware, before the pogrom of Oct. 7, that antisemitism was once again a problem in our collective life.

May God grant Israel, the Jewish world, and all people of good will a year of health, meaning, and peace.  

B’vracha/With Blessings,

Rabbi Michael Mishkin
Rabbi Sharyn Perlman
Cantor David Childs
Jack Mishan, President

A Prayer for the Redemption of Captives

A Prayer for Israel at War

A Prayer for the Soldiars of the IDF