Standing Together in Grief and Solidarity

Today is a day of immense pain for the Lifshitz family, and, though we await news, in all likelihood for the Bibas family as well. And it is a day of the greatest possible sorrow for the entire Jewish people. We are today one soul, one heart, and one family.  

Like generations before us, we have seen the face of evil. The images we have witnessed today and in recent weeks will be remembered for all eternity and will forever more be part of our collective history. 

At moments like this, we know you are communicating with your communities. Please let us know how we can be helpful in your efforts. We have shared this language for your use, which we will update as the necessary steps in Israel are taken to confirm these terrible deaths.

As we prepare for Shabbat this week, those who wish to gather in a moment of communal prayer and reflection with colleagues from across the Federation system will do so tomorrow at noon eastern time. Please register here for security purposes only.

This afternoon at 5 pm, the Jewish Federations of North America and the JCRC of Greater Washington will host a gathering to be held at the Jewish Federations of North America office at 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue. We expect representation from the Hill and the Israeli Embassy. If you know of people working in the Capitol or in the downtown DC area, please feel free to let them know. Registration is requested, again for security reasons.

In our tradition we turn to the Book of Psalms at times of great distress. Psalm 130 begins:

יַשִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֑וֹת מִמַּעֲמַקִּ֖ים קְרָאתִ֣יךָ יְהֹוָֽה׃

A song of ascents.

Out of the depths I call You, O LORD.

אֲדֹנָי֮ שִׁמְעָ֢ה בְק֫וֹלִ֥י תִּהְיֶ֣ינָה אׇ֭זְנֶיךָ קַשֻּׁב֑וֹת לְ֝ק֗וֹל תַּחֲנוּנָֽי׃

O Lord, listen to my cry;
let Your ears be attentive
to my plea for mercy.

May the families of the lost be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and the world.

Julie Platt, Chair
Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO