November 9, 2023: May we all rededicate ourselves to bring more lovingkindness into the world

Thursday, November 9, 2023

May we all rededicate ourselves to bring more lovingkindness into the world, more dialogue, more compassion, and more human decency.

We received this heartfelt letter from our brother and sister faith leaders in the Jewish Community who express tremendous sadness but incredible hope.

Statement from the Sonoma County Jewish Community Leadership regarding the War in Israel and Gaza

We write this letter as rabbis and leaders of congregations and organizations serving the Jewish community of Sonoma County. We are outraged by the massacre perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, and by the fact that they continue to hold more than 200 hostages from more than 30 countries. Our hearts are filled with grief, sadness and deep concern as we all grieve the loss of lives of so many Israelis and Palestinians. At this time of war and conflict, we stand united with each other as we work, pray and hope for a lasting peace and for justice for all in the region.

To achieve this peace, we call on Hamas to immediately return all of the hostages to their homes. We urge the US administration to work with the Israeli government to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza in every possible manner, and for continued humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinian population in Gaza. As we ask for restraint, we acknowledge that too many lives have already been lost on both sides. Let peaceful coexistence be the goal for all of the leaders of the nations and peoples who live in the Middle East.

It is clear that the status quo in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unjust and untenable. This is time for creativity and vigor to find a solution that takes into account the security needs of Israel and Palestinians. We call on all the relevant governments, and our own, to rapidly move to the implementation of a comprehensive negotiated two state solution.

Perhaps most importantly, we call on peace-loving Jews and Palestinians, our Muslim and Christian neighbors, and people of faith and people of conscience, not to give up hope. May we all rededicate ourselves to bring more lovingkindness into the world, more dialogue, more compassion, and more human decency. May we all live to see the day when “they shall turn their swords into plows, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4) and “the cry ‘violence!’ will no more be heard in your land. . .” (Isaiah 60:18). May that day come soon, sooner than we think possible, and may it last.

(Organizational Names for Identification Purposes Only)

Rabbi George GIttleman

Congregation Shomrei Torah

Rabbi Shalom Bochner

B’nai Israel Jewish Center

Rabbi Irwin Keller

Congregation Ner Shalom

Rabbi Mordecai Miller

Congregation Beth Ami

Rabbi Zelig Golden

Wilderness Torah

Eli Weinzveg

President, Congregation Shomrei Torah

Amy Gray

President, Congregation Ner Shalom

Barbara McGee

President, Congregation Beth Ami

Katie Evenbeck

Executive Director, Congregation Shomrei Torah

Elaine Leeder

Chair, Tzedek Social Action, Congregation Ner Shalom

Holocaust Story Project

Peter Krohn

Co-chair, Sonoma County Yom HaShoah Planning Committee

Christyne Davidian

Co-President, Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide at Sonoma State University

Yehoyada Mbangukira

Co-President, Alliance for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide at Sonoma State University

Barbara Lesch McCaffry

Member, Sonoma County Yom HaShoah Planning Committee

Dean, Congregation Ner Shalom Lifelong Jewish Learning

Melissa Sherman

Managing Director, Jewish Community Center Sonoma County

Beth Goodman

Board Member, Jewish Community Center Sonoma County

Sandy Andresen

Program Director, Jewish Community Center of Sonoma County Friendship Circle