“My heart’s in the East” because this is a time of uncertainty and the world has changed in the last 24 hours as Israel has made a pre-emptive strike, not unlike June 5, 1967 that triggered the Six Day War ensuring the survival of the fledgling Jewish State, against the threat of a nuclear-armed terrorist state that seeks the eradication of the USA and Israel and with its proxies has left destruction and devastation across the region. Iran backed Assad’s wars that killed over 600,000 Muslins and empowered Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and has imprisoned its own people. Today, history echoes. The Iranian regime seeks to destroy Israel while Israel seeks to defend itself.

This is not a strike against the Iranian people. Israel has just struck Iran’s nuclear facilities, taking decisive action to protect its people. In the coming days, we shall learn more, but this was an act with profound consequences. I am heartbroken that it had to come to this. We pray for a world where children don’t have to wake up to air raid sirens, but this is our world. This day, June 13 – 6/13 carries significant symbolism: 613 commandments in the Torah, a number of meaning, mission and moral clarity. Today, 6/13, we stand with Israel, as we hope you will, with all our hearts, our soul, and our very beings.

The sirens that shrieked across Israel at 3am weren’t for an incoming attack but for what might yet happen and put 100% of the country on alert for a potential retaliation. No one should live under the threat of annihilation. While we abhor war and the loss of life, this strike was precise, strategic, and necessary. This is a tragic reminder of the world’s failure to build something better; people deserve more that to be trapped between terror and retaliation. Unfortunately, the Jewish people and the Jewish State have learned the harshest lessons from history.

While Israel is far from perfect and there are profound internal divisions, like here in US, we stand with Israel’s right to defend itself. We pray for the millions of people (Jews, Christians, Muslim, Druze, and more) who are in harm’s way. Let us stand with Israel and with those who are her courageous defenders, pilots and personnel, and others making agonizing choices. 

Let us stand in solidarity and aspirations of hope for peace, with our brothers and sisters in Israel, huddled in fright this Shabbat and with all who fear for their safety and security. Adonai oz le-amo yiten – Give us strength, give us strength!

Am Yisrael Chai - the People of Israel Lives! 

Shabbat Shalom with love,

Rabbi David Gelfand & Cantor Irena Altshul

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