‘It’s about showing up for Israel’ say rabbis

Progressive Rabbis in Israel[Missing Credit]

They visited Kibbitz Nir Oz, where 20 residents were murdered and 80 were taken hostage by Hamas and saw death notices and missing posters amongst burnt-out buildings, debris and bullet holes from the attack. They also visited the memorials at the Nova Festival in Re’im, where 364 people were murdered, many more were injured and 40 were taken hostage.

Rabbi Goldstein said that “showing up” also meant supporting their colleagues, Israeli Reform rabbis, who, on some days, “officiated or attended 10 funerals, who were supporting the bereaved and traumatised, whilst themselves being traumatised and bereft and trying to be ‘normal’ for their children”.

Rabbi Shulamit leads memorial prayer[Missing Credit]

Rabbi Shulamit Ambalu from Sha’arei Tsedek North London Reform Synagogue recited the memorial prayer during the trip, revised by Israeli clergy to include victims of October 7.

She said: “The magnitude of the terror inflicted on Israel on October 7 is matched only by the depth and the power of the people’s response.

“Sitting together with rabbis, teachers, human rights activists and students, all of them active in Israel; participating in tefillah - prayer that is gentle, inclusive, musical and deep - I did not expect prayer that is so powerful in this shattering moment.”

The clergy on the trip were Rabbis Aaron Goldstein, Alexandra Wright, Daniel Lichman, Danny Rich, Gershon Silins, Jordan Helfman, Lea Mühlstein, Mark Goldsmith, Nathan Godleman, Rachel Benjamin, Shulamit Ambalu, Thomas Salamon and Warren Elf.