Temple
tebh.org
Topics WINTER 2025
Am Yisrael Chai: Coming Together to Pray Rabbi Jonathan Aaron
During the High Holy Days, I quoted the Hasidic master Nahman of Breslov, “The world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is, do not make yourself afraid.” Here in Los Angeles, that rickety bridge feels even more narrow. The flames that have engulfed our city, our neighborhoods, our friends’ homes, and our own homes, is still burning. It is nearly contained, but not quite (as of this writing), and the healing and repair will last for a long time. The outpouring of love and food and clothing and help that is happening all over the city is a symbol of the resilience of humanity ― the city is on the narrow bridge, but reacts with help, not fear. Our efforts to assist in this crisis will continue, please be on the lookout for ways you can participate. When I first referred to Nahman’s quote and the narrow bridge we cross, I was talking about the worldwide antisemitism that has engulfed our people, spurred on by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s defensive response in the Gaza strip. It has been an excruciating fifteen months, with Israel defending seven fronts, and what feels like an eighth front against Jews living anywhere in the world. January’s announcement of a ceasefire is absolutely a ray of hope piercing the dark flames of hatred that the Jewish State, and Jews all over the world have experienced. Although with only three or four innocent civilians returning to their families each week, and only 33 returning in the first phase of the deal, my heart still cries out for the remaining hostages who must continue to endure unimaginable conditions. I also know that Israel agreed to return convicted prisoners in the exchange, a narrow bridge to some, and a challenge to “not make yourself afraid.” Now that a cessation of arms has been agreed upon by both Hamas and Hezbollah, there is hope and light that Israelis can return to their homes in the North and South, and that Gaza and Lebanon can rebuild and its citizens can flourish. Every day, in synagogue prayer services all over the world, we pray for peace, we pray for safety, we pray for the world to exist in harmony between humanity and nature. And these days, when achieving those goals feels like that narrow bridge over a deep canyon, we continue to move forward, step by step, sandwich after sandwich, sweater after sweater, donation after donation, demonstration after demonstration, phone call after phone call, and mission after mission. Am Yisrael Chai means we come together to pray for a more perfect world, and we come together to make a perfect world, so no one will be afraid.
at tebh.org/Join
300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-288-3737 | tebh.org | info@tebh.org