THIS PASSOVER IS DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER PASSOVERS

​

The war in Israel and Gaza and the continued captivity of the 133 hostages forces us to re-think how we are observing Passover, Judaism’s holiday of freedom and redemption.  Below are a number of resources that we hope will be helpful as you consider how most meaningfully to be together during seder.

​

Hagaddah Supplement Materials in the Aftermath of October 7th:
The Reform Movement’s Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) has created Hagaddah supplement materials that may be found here.

The Shalom Hartman Institute Hagaddah supplement may be found here.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis’ Hagaddah Supplement may be found here.

​

Wisdom for Meaningful and Healthy Seder Conversation:
Margie Bogdanow is a member of our TBS community and has been leading a wonderful group for grandparents at TBS over the past few months.  She is a licensed social worker, coach and consultant whose professional work focuses on impacting adults to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them.  She recently wrote an excellent article entitled: Telling Our Stories Around the Seder Table.  In it she notes how - during this time of conflict - we may have the most meaningful and healthy conversations around our seder tables this year as possible.  The article was published by the Times of Israel and may be found here.

​

Proudly, Margie and her husband, Michael are the loving parents of Alyssa and Andrew Arens and grandparents of Ellie and Cece, who, joyfully, are also part of our TBS community.

​

Setting a Place at Your Seder Table for a Hostage:
As a way of remembering the hostages, you may choose to set an empty place at your seder table. To see names and photos of the Israeli hostages, you may click here.  For information about the person that you select, you may do your own online search and then share that information to introduce the person to those gathered around your table and then recite a prayer that they be redeemed soon.

 

REGARDING INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTING IN THE HAGUE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ISRAEL

 

We vehemently object to the charges of genocide that have been raised against Israel by the government of South Africa.  One helpful article may be found here.

Amongst the many resources that we have recommended to our TBS community is work from the scholars at the Shalom Hartman Institute.  (For their website, please click here.)  Dr. Tal Becker is a senior research fellow of the Kogod Research Center at the Hartman Institute and serves as the Legal Advisor of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  (For a more comprehensive bio, please click here.)  Dr. Becker is currently serving as part of the team representing Israel at the ICJ.  He delivered a powerful opening address in defense of allegations of genocide brought by South Africa.  The text of Dr. Becker’s presentation may be found here.  A video of Dr. Becker’s address may be found here.

Also, the New York Time published an opinion piece by Brett Stephens in this morning's New York Times.  It is entitled: "The Charges Against Israel Are a Moral Obscenity” and may be found here. 

​

BEARING WITNESS

 

Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation has launched a project to document the barbarity of the Hamas attacks against Israelis on October 7th.  (To learn more about this initiative, please click here.) To listen to a number of the testimonies that have been recorded, please click here.

​

RESOURCES FROM AN ISRAELI FRIEND OF TBS

 

Among the Israelis (who are members of Congregation Mevasseret Zion) with whom our TBS members are meeting as part of our Panim el Panim (“Face to Face”) program is Maurit Beeri.  Maurit is the Director-General of ALYN Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation Center.  Her thoughtful insights in our small group discussions have been enlightening and helpful.  She has written a number of articles that have been published in the Jerusalem Post.  To read them, please click here.

​

TBS EDUCATOR SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL ISRAEL MISSION

We are delighted that Sara Berk, TBS Director of K-12 Learning and Inclusion, has been selected to participate in a special mission to Israel in April as part of a Mishlach Areyvut (Delegation of Responsibility) sponsored by The Jewish Education Project, the iCenter for Israel Education, and The Jewish Agency. These groups are sending Jewish educators to Israel in order to bear witness to the events of October 7th and its aftermath – particularly, to meet with Israelis who have been directly impacted by these events, and to begin discussions about the future of Jewish education in the post October 7th world. As shared on the TJEP website, "As the Jewish world grapples with the aftermath of October 7th, Jewish educators are adapting to new realities in all educational settings. While Israel education has always been an evolving field, the events of October 7th and the subsequent consequences and implications, are so dramatic and foundationally shifting that we believe Jewish educators need to experience the Israel of today firsthand in order to better understand this new reality." Educators who participate in the trip are expected to participate in ongoing professional networks to learn/reflect on new pedagogies related to Israel education, share educational resources that they develop, and share their experiences and teach other educators within their networks about the new realities in Israel today. We look forward to learning from/with Sara when she returns!

​

​

TBS COMMUNITY INREACH AND OUTREACH

​

* Each month since October 7th, TBS’s Panim el Panim (“Face to Face”) program has brought together several members of the TBS community and members of Congregation Mevasseret Zion for thoughtful, informative, sensitive, moving and motivational conversations about the current crisis.  We have explored the meanings of various aspects of what has unfolded since the war began from both American and Israeli perspectives.  We are grateful to all those who have participated from both congregations and the deeper relationships that we have fostered over the past several weeks.  Previous participation is not required in order to join the conversations.  See above for information on how to register.
* TBS continues to support children and families from Israel who are learning in our TBS Children’s Center and have become part of our temple community.
* TBS clergy continues to be in contact with and supportive of state, town, local school, and one Boston area university’s officials regarding healthy responses to rising antisemitism and supporting both the Jewish and Muslim communities.
* TBS clergy continues to be in contact with representatives from the Needham Muslim community during this difficult time.
* TBS clergy continues to support meaningful dialogue amongst the Needham Interfaith Clergy Association regarding the crisis in Israel and Gaza.
* Every Friday evening, we continue to share a special prayer for the people of Israel and for safety, security, and peace for Israelis and Palestinians.  Prior to reciting our prayer, we share the names of those in Israel who have relationships with members of our TBS community.  If you wish to add a name to our prayer list or to our Israel Kaddish list, please click here.

​

ADDITIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES:
 

Senator Chuck Schumer Address to Congress:
On November 29th, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered a major address on antisemitism.  His remarks are eloquent, informed, and heartfelt.  You may watch Senator Schumer’s address by clicking here.  To read Senator Schumer’s words, please click here.

​

In Condemnation of Hamas Sexual Assault Against Israelis:
We are horrified by the acts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas and by the profoundly inadequate international response by leaders and organizations. 

Statement by the Women’s Rabbinic Network (WRN):  The Women’s Rabbinic Network of the Reform Movement recently issued a powerful statement decrying the unspeakable sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas.  To read their words, please click here.

Article:  “The World’s Feminists Need to Show Up for Israeli Victims” by Dahlia Lithwick, Mimi Rocah, Tamara Sepper, Jennifer Taub, Joyce White Vance, and Julie Zebrak.  To read the article published by Slate, please click here.
 

Recording - Shai Nahon - “Current Conflict in Context” On November 7th, Shai Nahon - an outstanding Israeli educator, historian, and guide reflected upon the current conflict and the terrorist attack of October 7th.  Special thanks to TBS community members Jeremy Cramer and Jake Grossman for recommending Shai to us.  To view our session please click here.  (The password is 4&CY9B7!)  To see other brief videos that accompany Shai’s presentation, please click here.  (The password is Raz2021)

Shalom Hartman Institute The analysis and commentary from the scholars at the Shalom Hartman Institute are excellent.  To review their resources on the current crisis in Israel, please click here.

Some Helpful Books
Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn - Daniel Gordis
Can We Talk About Israel?  A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted - Daniel Sokatch
   (Excellent for college students and adults)
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth - Noa Tishby
   (Excellent for college students and adults)
Israel: A History - Anita Shapira
For the Love of Israel - Rabbi Steven Lowenstein

* In addition, please review the materials below for college students and their families, as there are excellent resources there that may also be of interest.

INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK:

With so many getting information and commentary from Instagram and TikTok, a number of people have asked for recommendations of accounts to follow.  B’nai Brith has shared the following list for you to consider:

Specific Educational Information
@awiderframe
@adl_national
@ajc.global
@honestreporting
@StandWithUs
@jtanews
@rootsmetals
@telavivinstitute

Active Jewish Voices
@noatishby
@henmazzig
@Hilzfuld
@heyalma
@awesomeseminars
@ncjwinc
@idf
@livinglchaim
@kveller

​

SAFETY & SECURITY

TBS remains in close contact with the Needham Police Department, the security team at CJP, and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that we are keeping our community safe. We want to send a special “thank you!” to the Needham Police Department for their extra support during this most difficult time. Our community has invested in security personnel, technology, and resources.  Your support for these efforts are appreciated.  To donate to our TBS “Safety and Security Fund," please click here. (Select “Safety & Security Fund”)

​

EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

We, your clergy, are here to be helpful to you and your family as we navigate this difficult time.  If we may be supportive of you, please let us know.

If you are in need of professional emotional support, Jewish Family and Children’s Service provides free, confidential referrals and advice from trusted professionals.  For more information, call JF&CS Boston at 781-693-5562, email them at mentalhealth@jfcsboston.org, or click here.