Our hearts are filled with gratitude that the living hostages are finally home from Gaza after two long, terrible years. The road to recovery and healing will be long. We grieve for all those whose loved ones were brutally murdered, those whose families have no closure, whose loved ones’ remains have not yet been returned. Despite the pain and the uncertainty, Judaism teaches us that we must move forward with life because we ourselves are alive.
I am so fortunate to be born in a country that is not constantly on alert for war or missiles, and not in a place like Gaza where I could not freely express my thoughts or opinions. As I reflect on this moment in time, I am deeply aware of the blessing of living in a place where I have the freedom to speak up and speak out. I cherish the ability to make my voice heard, to advocate for what I believe in, and to participate openly in shaping the moral and ethical direction of our communities. These freedoms of speech, conscience, and assembly are not to be taken for granted. They are privileges denied to far too many throughout the world.
We are living in profoundly difficult days. The government shutdown has shaken lives across our nation, stopping small business loans, halting inspections, delaying federal paychecks, and endangering food and housing assistance for those who depend on it most. Once again, ICE enforcement has intensified, sowing fear among immigrants and refugees who came seeking safety and hope. Disturbingly, even those who are here legally with proper visas, Green Cards, and even American citizenship, are being targeted. Houses of worship, once considered sanctuaries of safety and refuge, are no longer legally protected as such. The freedoms of speech, the press, and peaceful assembly, which are cornerstones of our democracy, are being tested daily.
For those of us for whom these issues resonate, whether economic justice, immigration reform, climate policy, or religious freedom, we feel the profound call of our tradition to repair what is broken and to pursue justice in this time of perceived crisis. As the Torah teaches, “Tzedek, tzedek, tirdof - Justice, justice shall you pursue.” (Deuteronomy 16:20). Our elected officials are accountable to us. They are entrusted to reflect our values and uphold our shared vision for this nation. When we write, call, or meet with them, our voices matter. Each note, each conversation, each expression of concern becomes an act of faith and of citizenship. In doing so, we fulfill our sacred obligation to partner with God in the ongoing work of creation, strengthening our democracy and bringing us closer to the just and compassionate world we seek.
So what can we do? Vote in the upcoming November elections, because every election matters, no matter how small. Write to your local, state, and federal representatives. Speak up and speak out when you hear the government doing something that you know in your heart, mind, and kishkes (Yiddish for ‘gut’) is unjust and contrary to the values our Jewish tradition holds dear. Gather with like-minded individuals to form an action plan. Organize, engage, and teach others.
It is fitting that as we consider how to bring our values to life through action, we begin reading the Torah anew. This Shabbat, we return to the very beginning of the Torah with Parshat Breishit, the Book of Genesis: “In the beginning.” Beginnings are full of possibility, potential, and discovery. In Genesis 3:6, we read:
“When the woman saw that the tree was good for eating and a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable as a source of wisdom, she took of its fruit and ate; she also gave some to her husband, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened.” (Genesis 3:6–7)
God’s prohibition was a challenge, an obstacle to human growth. Perhaps God was not yet ready to contend with thinking, feeling human beings, creatures with intellect, curiosity, and choice. Eve’s act of courage and curiosity transformed humanity. Her quest for knowledge elevated Adam and Eve from mere beings of instinct to moral agents, who were partners with God in the ongoing work of shaping and creating the world.
Parshat Breishit calls upon each of us to reach for that same “forbidden fruit,” to seek knowledge, to question convention, and to act with courage and conviction. Judaism does not call us to complacency. Rather, we are called to engagement, to informed action, and to the pursuit of justice.
Our Reform Movement has long understood this sacred responsibility. Through our Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (the RAC) in Washington, D.C., we advocate for justice on the national stage. The RAC’s Director Emeritus, Rabbi David Saperstein, served as the U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom and has advised every administration for decades. Its current director, Rabbi Jonah Pesner, continues to bring the prophetic voice of our movement to the halls of power.
Through the RAC, our movement offers powerful opportunities for learning and advocacy, including The Consultation on Conscience, a premier social justice conference for adults, and L’taken, a transformative experience for teens. Both programs bring Jewish values to bear on issues of civil rights, economic and environmental justice, and human dignity. I highly encourage participation in these programs. They are among the most inspiring expressions of Jewish engagement you will ever encounter.
As we read Parshat Breishit this week and reflect on the power of new beginnings, may we remember that we, too, are partners with God in shaping creation. Let us use our knowledge, our voices, and our courage to help build a world rooted in compassion, justice, and hope.
May the breath of life that God breathed into humanity at the dawn of creation continue to animate us to act boldly, to live fully, and to repair our world. “Ani v’atah n’shaneh et ha-olam - together, you and I can change the world.”
Click here to hear Zamir Chorale of Boston sing a beautiful rendition of Ani V'atah N'shaneh Et Ha-Olam
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel
Interim Rabbi
Temple Beth Or
rabbisobel@tboraleigh.org
