Day 753 - Bring Home the Bodies of the Hostages

It remains heartbreaking that the bodies of 13 hostages in Gaza have not yet been recovered. The slow return of their remains prolongs the pain for Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, making it harder to move forward and focus on peace. Reports say an Egyptian team with specialist equipment has arrived to assist, using coordinates provided by Israel. Despite knowing the approximate locations, rescue efforts have been hindered by the extreme danger of the tunnels and traps. May we pray this week for all to finally come home.

This week I attended the Bris of baby Shiloh Rabouh - Mazal Tov to parents Daniel and Kessem. Their family is part of our vibrant Israeli community at the synagogue. Israeli involvement in synagogue life is vital; they bring spirit, knowledge, and energy, and their participation enriches our services. For a rabbi, true leadership means walking ahead but ensuring the congregation walks with you - and our Israeli members are very much with us.

Meanwhile, my son Mottle is doing the opposite -traveling to Israel to take part in the World Zionist Congress, bringing the experience and perspective of the Diaspora back to Israel. I’ve invited him to visit Sydney afterwards to share his insights with our community.

This week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, tells of God’s call to Avraham to “go forth” to leave his home and journey to the Land of Canaan. Since that moment, the Jewish people have carried this mission: to wander, to bring light, goodness, and Godliness wherever we go, and to make the world better through our presence.

I continue to celebrate the release of hostages on Simchat Torah, a hard-won victory that reminds us to stay hopeful. The price of victory is high, but it is a price we bear with pride. Let us stand tall and say: We won and we will continue to strive for peace and unity!

As always, L’Chaim.

See you in shul.

Shabbat Shalom.

BRING THEM ALL HOME.