Rabbi's Message

“Help us, God, to lie down in peace, and awaken us again, our Sovereign, to life.” 

Each night, as we say these words as part of the Hashkiveinu prayer, we entrust ourselves to God’s protection—against enemies, sorrow, and shadowy forces that threaten our peace. Since the beginning of “Operation Rising Lion” last Thursday, these words have become even more powerful. We remain concerned for our sisters and brothers in Israel who have spent long days and sleepless nights shuttling into and out of bomb shelters, seeking safety from Iran’s continued response directed towards the Israeli civilian population. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the ongoing violence and conflict. We admire our Israeli brothers and sisters for their resolve. And we continue to pray for safety, healing, and peace with the hope that these challenging times ultimately lead to a safer and more secure  Israel and world. 

Our hearts are in the East, but we find ourselves in the West. As such, we can sometimes feel helpless. What can we do from so far away?  

First, we must continue to come together and draw strength from one another and from our TBS community.

Second, we can reach out to family and friends in Israel to send our love and support; to tell them that they are most certainly not alone.

And third, we must do what we can to help from abroad through advocacy, education, and tzedakah. On our We Stand With Israel page of our TBS website, you will find recommendations for educators and journalists we suggest following, as well as advocacy action items that we encourage everyone to take to support Israel. Finally, tzedakah makes a difference. Please donate to our Am Yisrael Hai Fund so we can continue supporting organizations and tzedakot in Israel, including those listed on the website. 

In uncertain times like these, we return to the words of Hashkiveinu, seeking peace even in the shadow of fear. We ask God to “spread over us a shelter of peace” and to “guard our going and coming, for life and for peace, now and forever.” May these words, offered nightly with hope, be fulfilled soon in our day. 

Am Yisrael Hai. 

B’shalom, 

Rabbi Peltz 
Rabbi Wexler 
Cantor Cohen 
Rabbi Lindemann