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Chaverim y'karim ~ dear friends,
As we go into Shabbat soon, I want to direct you to a Conservative colleague of mine from Minneapolis. Rabbi Alexander Davis is the senior rabbi at Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park, MN. As someone who is - literally - on the ground there, he has far more to offer in this moment than I could and so I send you to his words from *last* week and invite you to read his sermon from this past Shabbat or listen to the YouTube version. I came upon his sermon a few days ago and wanted to share with you all.
Like you, I am reading articles from various sources and our country is at a critical time in a thousand ways - not the least of which relates to how we treat our neighbors: the native-born or foreigner among us; and at the same time govern and regulate our borders and life within those very borders.
What is happening in Minneapolis is far more complex than any one sermon or article could present, which is why I would like to open the door for a conversation with a friend of my wife and rabbi (another Rabbi Davis, also from Minneapolis).
My wife, Rabbi Amy Wallk, and I have reached out Rabbi Max Davis, with whom she served in Springfield, MA when he was the rabbi for the orthodox congregation there. Max and his wife, Dalia, have agreed to join a conversation to share their insights and experiences and will be available to answer questions you may have. This Zoom meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 pm ET.
Our gathering will not be a time to advocate for particular political positions - or politicians - but rather, an opportunity to hear from a trusted teacher what life is like in his congregation among the synagogue's staff, members, neighbors, and larger community. Few - if any - among us are qualified to structure or implement a successful immigration reform program. But surely all of us are capable of listening to the struggles facing the residents of one of our nation's largest metro areas. Please join us for what we hope to be a meaningful conversation. Rabbi Max Davis was recently featured in an article in The Forward, "Orthodox Jewish Groups have been quiet about ICE. This Minneapolis Rabbi Wasn't."
Topic: Zoom with Rabbi Max Davis
Time: Feb 11, 2026 07:30 PM ET
Meeting ID: 835 7680 5217
Passcode: 515933
There is far more to say - and my mind has been tracking what is happening both in our country here and for our people in Israel as well. To say it has been an emotional week would be a deep understatement.
This week's Torah reading takes us out of Egypt, across the Sea, and into the wandering in the desert. Just as Israel left Egypt with Joseph's bones - making good on an oath sworn upon his deathbed - so too, the State of Israel buried the last of the hostages, Ran Gvili (z"l), making good on its promise to leave no one behind.
Redemption comes in many forms and this moment for us - as Jews and as Americans - is one for us to consider how we can make life full, rich, just, and safe for our people and all who dwell within our borders. May we find the ways to support, strengthen, and guide our neighbors, our leaders, and our people near and far towards blessing and well-being.
Wishing you a shabbat shalom umvorach - a peaceful and blessed Shabbat,
Rabbi Mark Cohn
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