Rabbi’s Update 10/10/2025

Dear Friends:

As of this writing, a ceasefire has taken effect in Gaza and preparations are being made by Israel for the return of the remaining hostages this coming Monday, both the living and the bodies of those who have died.  More on this below, after a few updates for the rest of the holiday period.

Tonight and tomorrow is Shabbat Hol HaMoed Sukkot, meaning the Shabbat which falls during the seven days of Sukkot. Tonight’s service is shorter since we omit the Kabbalat Shabbat psalms and Lecha Dodi. Tomorrow’s service is a bit longer than usual since it includes Hallel. Services will be followed by a Kiddush in the Sukkah. 

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are actually the same holiday, with Simchat Torah being the second day of Shemini Atzeret. Hazzan Komrad will join us for Shemini Atzeret Tuesday morning, when Yizkor is recited, and for Simchat Torah that evening at 7 pm (please note that the time for this service was accidentally omitted from the Weekly Announcements). Because this will probably be the last time we observe Simchat Torah in our Sanctuary, we are hoping you will join us to sing and dance and enjoy some light refreshments after. If everything goes off without a hitch, the hostages should be released by then, which will be another reason for joy. Services Wednesday morning will be on Zoom only.

As the ceasefire goes into effect and preparations are made for the return of the last Israeli hostages, I am cautiously optimistic. The agreement between Israel and Hamas differs from previous deals which facilitated return of the majority of the hostages in that it is intended to be an end to the conflict and not merely a ceasefire. But long-term success depends on a lot of factors, key among them Hamas not only agreeing to give up its weapons but actually doing so. A new Gaza police force is supposed to be created with soldiers from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and a new Palestinian government is to be created consisting of apolitical Palestinian technocrats. Beyond that, negotiations are supposed to lead to a two-state solution with a Palestinian state living peacefully beside Israel. Whether the extremists on both sides will allow such a solution to go into effect is open to question.

I said Tuesday morning that the Jewish people have developed an expertise in celebrating while simultaneously mourning. This will be particularly true in the coming days. Simchat Torah is simultaneously a day of simcha, of joy, and the yahrzeit of those murdered on October 7, 2023. Additionally, while the people of Israel are preparing to joyfully greet the returning hostages, we also know that there will be more bodies returned than living hostages. Rabbi Danny Gordis in his Israel from the Inside column this morning, shared a translation of a social media post from earlier today by Iris Haim. Iris Haim is the mother of Yotam Haim, one of the three hostages who escaped from their captivity in December 2023, only to be mistakenly shot and killed by the IDF.

She writes:

Today, when you rejoice,rejoice reservedly,rejoice quietly,rejoice with a trembling voice.Yes, it is right to rejoice, to release a sigh of relief, to ask forgiveness.Yes, it is right, at the same time, to remember — in every moment — those who were not granted to embrace again,those who were starved and did not return,those who ran and would never again receive the laughter of their fair-haired child.

Rejoice within your homes,not in the city squares.Rejoice in your sukkah.I give thanks for this moment that is coming — yet there is no joy in my heart.At this moment, I yearn, like everyone, to see them home.Still, the heart is torn again by the feeling of despair — mine is not coming.

We can only take hope in the promise of Psalm 126:5:

הַזֹּרְעִ֥ים בְּדִמְעָ֗ה בְּרִנָּ֥ה יִקְצֹֽרוּ׃

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy

As a reminder, I am having drop-in hours on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4 at the shul. For my drop-in hours, you do not need to make an appointment -- that would negate the whole point of drop-in hours -- but I’d urge you to check and make sure I am there regardless as sometimes there are unavoidable pastoral or other emergencies which might take me away from the building. 

Additionally, if you know of a Kehilat Shalom congregant or another member of our Jewish community who could use a phone call, please let me know.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Charles L. Arian