Weekly Words of Torah

Are you a Jewish leader who has an opportunity to teach and inspire based on the weekly Torah portion? Shabbat is a time for reflection, learning and inspiration. How might Torah and the Jewish weekly time cycle help you keep the issue of hostages in the forefront of your community’s agenda? Each week, come here to download the Parsha Page which provides access points and action items connected to this week’s Parsha. Use this as a foundation and inspiration for writing and delivering your own personalized Dvar Torah.
These materials were developed in partnership with the students and faculty of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.

Taking Responsibility for Others in Times of Crisis

We are not alone in this world. Each of us belongs to a specific cultural or religious community and, at the same time, we are part of the human race. What is my responsibility towards others? How do I balance my self-interests with my obligation to care for others? Standing up for others requires staying power, courage, determination and faith in our leaders’ abilities to support us in our mission. The hostage crisis in Gaza affects not only the Jewish people, but all people throughout the world. How should we advocate on behalf of the hostages? What is the message we should convey to our political leaders? How do we remain hopeful and vigilant even with the passage of time?

Women Who Spark Change: Then and Now

March is the month when we celebrate women as change-makers, both on International Women’s Day and on Ta’anit Esther and Purim. Esther and Henrietta Szold are two examples of female figures in our communal history who sparked important change for the Jewish people. How might we draw inspiration from Esther and Henrietta Szold’s actions to spark change in our communities today and do our part to bring the hostages home?

Counting Each Person: The Mitzvah of Donating Half a Shekel

There is a commandment in the Torah which calls on every person over the age of 20 to contribute a half-shekel to the community. This commandment is read in synagogues today during the regular Torah reading cycle, with an additional reading that highlights this commandment on the Shabbat leading into the month of Adar (or Adar Bet during a leap year). How can we use the values behind this mitzvah to illustrate the importance that each and every person contribute to bringing the hostages home?

Mishloach Manot: Gift Giving as a Form of Advocacy

Purim is the only Jewish Holiday where the story fully occurred outside of Israel. Where can we, as Jews who live in and outside of Israel, get inspiration from the story of Purim to motivate us to advocate for the Jewish people? What is the connection between giving and receiving gifts and celebration? How does the act of Mishloach Manot build community?

Bring Home the Hostages Tu B’Shvat Seder

The Tu B’Shvat seder, modeled after the Passover seder, traditionally includes eating a variety of fruits and nuts and drinking four cups of wine of various colors and is an opportunity to celebrate the species that are unique to the land of Israel.The seder has kabbalistic roots and was first mentioned in the book Pri Etz Hadar, written in the 18th century. There is room for much creativity when planning a Tu B’shvat seder, including the choice of foods, readings, and discussions.
This year, the people of Israel cannot properly celebrate the bounty of the Land of Israel, as they are both grieving for those that have fallen on and since October 7th, as well as pained by the fact that so many are being held hostage still in Gaza.
This Tu B’shvat Seder has been specially adapted and dedicated to raising awareness about the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza and to move participants to advocate on their behalf.
As we engage in this Seder, let us pledge to do what we can to spread its messages and do what we can to free our hostages.

Holding Innocent People

Why have the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other humanitarian agencies been unable to fulfill their own charters to take care of the Israeli hostages of October 7? Why does the ICRC continue its presence in Gaza while ignoring its continued impotence regarding the Israeli hostages? How does this embody neutrality, impartiality and independence? How can it justify its historic lack of neutrality and partiality? Where is the accountability for the ICRC and other EU-recognized organizations for their inability/inaction in helping the hostages and yet helping all other peoples?

The Interconnectedness of Human Beings

The topic of the interconnectedness between human beings was apparently on the mind of 23 year old Hersh Goldberg Polin before he was taken captive by Hamas on October 7th. Hersh was in the middle of reading “The Art of Happiness” by Howard C. Cutler and the Dalai Lama. His bookmark is at Chapter Six, awaiting his return. Rather than emphasizing the differences between people, the interconnectedness approach allows us to see the similarity within humanity. Knowing we are all connected can spark a new level of empathy and commitment to the well-being of the other.
How might this approach be helpful to us in advocating for the release of the hostages?

Every Human has a Story: A Story a Day

Every human being has a story. It deserves to be told and heard. Every time one tells a story it is a bit different based on where they are in the world that day and who they are telling it to. Stories are what people remember and repeat. They have the power to change opinions and create new realities. Stories are the foundation of memory.At this moment in time, one of the greatest tools we have to help the hostages is our ability to share their stories. Every single hostage has a story that needs to be told. And heard.

‘Our Hands Did Not Shed this Blood’: Leadership at a Time of Community Crisis

The issues of leadership and responsibility are naturally front and center in the story of redeeming the captives. Who is responsible in this case? Have our official leaders taken the necessary course of action? Have we, as individuals and as a community, taken responsibility for those suffering within us?