Hineini: I am Here, as a proud Jew
Baruch ata Adonai eloheinu melech ha’olam shechecheyanu v’kiymanu, vhigiyanu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, Holy One, who kept us alive, who sustained Rabbi Charlie and the other hostages, and brought them to the rest of their lives.
We are grateful to God, and to the police and FBI who played a powerful role in ending the hostage situation. I am grateful to our community for coming together to support each other and pray for my friend, Rabbi Charlie and the other hostages, and to bring comfort and strength to each other. Like you, I am grateful that the terrorist attack ended without the death of the Jews, but saddened that anyone had to die. As God said, when the Egyptian enemies were drowning in the Reed Sea, ‘My children are dying,’
At the same time, I, like you, am tired of enemies, antisemites, attacking us, in word or action. I am angry that the lives and well-being of Jews seems to be inconsequential to the general society. Myths, fears, prejudices, assumptions and hatred toward Jews still thrives in this country and around the world.
What is our response to this reality? Look back at our past to learn the key to our future. Antisemitism is the teacher for all other forms of baseless hatred. It is ancient, pervasive and has been present for centuries. But we have consistently overcome it. As a community, we have never let go of our Judaism or our dedication to our people. We build new shuls wherever we move; create new innovations in every era, in the face of each new threat; and Judaism flourishes in every country. We contribute to all the societies in which we settled. Resiliency and creativity is in our DNA. We also draw strength from our ancient texts, as if it were lifesaving water, and they nourish our faith.
It is ironic that this week, the week of the antisemitic attack in Texas, our parasha is Yitro, in which God gives the Israelites the moral foundation for all humanity–the Ten Commandments. The sacred Torah of the Jewish people provides the ethical principles upon which other religions rest. The contributions of our texts to civilizations are incalculable.
Not only does this sedra help others–we also find within it the words that give us our resiliency and everflowing hope. We read: ‘The God of my father was my help, and God delivered me from the sword of my enemy….And [the people] rejoiced when God delivered them.’ (Ex.18:4, 18:9) Our freedom from slavery and God’s covenant with us at Sinai brings us courage, hope and trust in every age.
The attack last Shabbat occured in shul. The attack in Pittsburgh, also in shul. Our enemies know where we gather but they cannot take away the holy powerful spaces that define and strengthen us.
How do we respond to antisemitism? We show up. We say Hineini–I am here.
Please join me tonight and tomorrow, as we too gather in our ‘zoom shul’ to honor our past, our people, and our vibrant Jewish future. We will drink from the sweet waters of our Psalms, and our Kaddishes. We are Jews, proud and strong. We are Jews who say ‘Hineini’ I am here– for my people and my tradition. Tonight and tomorrow, pray, sing,and show gratitude with me…and say Hineini with me. I am here…for you, for Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, for the generations who came before me and those yet to be.
On Shabbat morning, we will welcome two Christian clergy who are coming to say ‘Hineinu’ to us–they want to stand with us, and offer words of support. Reverend Diane Seaborne, and Chelsea Piedre will join us toward the beginning of the service.
May this Shabbat fill you with pride. May you have a Shabbat full of healing and comfort.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Plumb
