Dear Temple Emanuel members, 

Our hearts are broken today as we learn of the violence taking place on this holiday in Israel. As we watch the news unfold, we join united in condemning the Hamas terrorists who target civilians indiscriminately and who have murdered more than 100 innocent souls. 

Simchat Torah offers us the joy of a new beginning as we recall the creation of the world. Today we are reminded of our human capacity for destruction as well. We mourn the loss of innocent life that has taken place on this holiday, and we mourn the losses that will inevitably follow as Israel and her government appropriately defend her citizens and residents alike. 

In times of joy and times of sorrow, our people sing. Tonight we will join in song in our Sukkah in the Goldstein Pavilion at Temple, starting at 8:00 p.m. We will make havdalah, separating from Shabbat and this festival, and separating from the pain of this most recent violence so we can get busy creating a world of justice and love this new year. 

Please join us. 

With sadness and hope,

Rabbi Max Chaiken

Dana Katz, President