This Friday afternoon, we gathered with our beloved Kveller community to grieve Ariel and Kfir Bibas and Oded Lifshitz and pray for the return of Shiri Bibas and the rest of the hostages still in Gaza. It was a touching and intimate moment of solidarity and community, where we got to share our feelings, pray and sing along with the wonderful Rabbi Sari Laufer of LA’s Temple Stephen Wise.
Most of those present shared that they were feeling devastated and heartbroken, grieving, furious, stunned and hopeless. Some at the gathering shared that they had no words to describe their pain — “ein milim,” Rabbi Laufer translated into the common Hebrew saying.
We read Psalm 121 for Shiri. We read two poems: “The Making of a Jewish Mother” by Rabbi Karen Perolman and “Cleared for Publication” by Dael Rodrigues Garcia, based on the two words “ushar le’pirsum,” which precede every piece of devastating news in Israel. We chanted El Maleh Rachamim and the Mourner’s Kaddish.
And then, in an effort to give ourselves the energy and hope to get through Shabbat and the rest of the weekend, we talked about the ways to bring light in. Many spoke about lighting candles, and Rabbi Laufer suggested even lighting an extra candle this Shabbat to bring in more light. Others talked about being in community, of performing mitzvot and acts of lovingkindness. Many spoke of the Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world.
One reader suggested wearing orange, and another suggested inviting non-Jews to your Shabbat table, to share the joy of the Jewish holiday with others. One reader shared something that many of the families of the hostages often remind us in press appearances: not to take our loved ones for granted and hold them tight.
The ceremony ended with the beautiful and affirming song “Oseh Shalom,” whose moving melody we can thank Israeli songwriter Nurit Hirsch for. It was beautiful to see everyone’s mouths moving along with the Hebrew words.
It was so special and vital to be in community after such a devastating week, and we are so grateful to everyone who joined us. Our Jewish tradition has so many gifts to help us deal with even the most incomprehensible of moments. If you couldn’t be there, you can watch the video below:
