Dear Friends:
My “Facebook Memories” remind me that ten years ago today I was in Tel Aviv during a prior Israel - Hamas war on a Rabbinical Assembly solidarity trip. Among the people we met that morning was IDF Maj. Gen. (Res.) Danny Yatom, who had served as the head of the Mossad, the Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor, and later as a member of the Knesset.
One of the things he told our group that morning was: “We (Israel) are strong, and we can take risks, or there will never be peace.”
Human beings by our nature tend to be risk averse. There are evolutionary reasons for this. We are descendants of the early humans who fled from the saber tooth tigers, rather than those who said “what a cute kitty, let’s go pet it.”
But in the current situation between Israel and Hamas, there is no course of action which is risk-free. It is understandable that Israel desires not to cede strategic positions or allow the possibility of Hamas rearming. But prolonging the war also carries risks: to Israel’s international position -- and to Israel’s support among Diaspora Jews. To the hostages. To Israel’s economy. And to whatever is left of Israel’s internal cohesion; earlier this morning I heard a relative of one of the hostages say on the radio that according to recent surveys, 63 percent of Israelis want Prime Minister Netanyahu to agree to the US-Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal and bring the hostages home.
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.
As always, if I can do anything for you or you need to talk, please contact me at rabbi@kehilatshalom.org or 301-977-0768 rather than through the synagogue office. I am happy to meet you at the synagogue by appointment; if you want to speak with me it’s best to make an appointment rather than assuming I will be there when you stop by.
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
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