Dear Friends
The Israel Reform Movement categorically condemns all instances of violence, bodily injury and vandalism of property of Arab citizens and residents that have taken place over the last two days. Even though there is no final determination from the investigation of the tragic murder of 16 year old Machmud Abu Hadir from Jerusalem, the tens of instances of vandalism throughout Israel against the Arabs and the cries for revenge in the social media should be enough to shock all of us into speaking up and acting.
Juxtaposed with the Kiddush HaShem (sanctification of G-ds name) exhibited by the three families of the murdered youth in their faith, restraint, and nobility the acts of violence and injury- are a terrible "Hillul HaShem"- (desecration of G-ds name) which slanders the memory of the murdered youth and the face of Israeli society.
Throughout the past years the Israel Reform Movement together with our many partners has warned against the rise of racism in words and actions in Israel, and against the apathy and indifference of those responsible for education and law enforcement. We have spoken out passionately against the use of the Torah of our people to justify a racist world view and against the fact that Rabbis serving in the public sector are protected when their Torah sermons are of hate and incitement.
In honor and in memory of the three murdered youth: Gil-Ad, Eyal, and Naftali of Blessed Memory, in honor of their families, and in the name of Jewish tradition and values- we call upon the leaders of Israeli society to do everything possible to end the racist incitement and acts of violence and to not be satisfied only by words of condemnation. We call on the heads of our system of education to deal immediately and courageously with the manifestations of incitement that are especially found in communities of youngsters during the summer vacation and above all- we call on Rabbis and community leaders of all the streams to stand together as a fortified barrier in word and deed against the desecration of G-ds name and our common humanity.
This week's Torah portion, "Balak" teaches about the prophet Bilam who came to curse the people of Israel and in the end delivered a blessing. The murderers of the three young boys cursed them, their families, and all of us with the curse of death, but their terrible curse was transformed from the despicable melodies of the terrorist's hearts to a blessing, by virtue of the special acts of mutual responsibility, support, and the feeling of strength and solidarity gained from standing by and supporting the families. Bilam's blessing on the people of Israel is marked by: "The people shall dwell alone and not be reckoned among the nations of the earth" (Numbers 23,9).
We pray that we stand firm enough to prevent the inciters of racism to turn this blessing into a terrible curse for all of us. We consider G-ds blessing to Abraham: "..And I will bless them and bless you ... and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Genises 12,3).
We pray in memory of the murdered youth and that we all remember Jew and Arab alike the lesson of the prophet Isiah: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of G-d as the waters cover the sea." (Isiah 11,9)
We express our solidarity with the residents of the settlements near the border with Gaza and pray that they will have a quiet and peaceful Shabbat. We pray for the soldiers of the IDF and defense forces.
We add to this the prayer for peace found in our "Prayer of the Heart" siddur of the Israel Reform Movement.
Shabbat Shalom and Blessings for Ramadan for Israel's Muslim Citizens.
Israel Reform Movement
