Dreaming Big to Overcome Hate

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you from Tel Aviv-Jaffa where the rain has thankfully arrived. Over the past two weeks, we watched in a daze as fires burned and spread across the country, destroying countless homes and Israel’s precious forests.

We also witnessed the flames of hatred directed at our Reform Jewish leaders through attacks at the Kotel and the slanderous graffiti and hate messages we awoke to at our Ra’anana congregation.

Reform Jews have always been dreamers; people who were troubled by reality and dreamed to change it. We have never been afraid to overcome challenges and bring about positive change.

The Daniel Centers are filled with dreamers who have taken the initiative to create social change.

I distinctly remember the hate crimes that were committed at Beit Daniel during the inauguration of our synagogue 25 years ago. We were not deterred by these acts. Rather we chose to answer through love and hard work, which has made us today one the leading communities in Tel Aviv. Today, thousands enter our doors weekly. This is our answer to  hate. When we opened our first preschool in Tel Aviv, Orthodox criminals crudely vandalized the building. Our answer was to open an additional 19 preschools that are now flourishing and provide progressive Jewish education to hundreds of kids each day.

I reflect on Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakai when he saw the Temple set on fire and watched the destruction happening in Jerusalem. He decided to take action and renew Judaism, to rebuild the nation from its ashes. This is the lesson that each one of us should hold close to our hearts. When we face difficulties, we must strive to build a better reality.

We recently entered into the month of Hanukkah, the holiday filled with light, spirit and positive energy. Let us continue to hold close this message and bring it with us into the year to come. We are so thankful to have you as our partners in answering hate with love and light. Let it be.

B’bracha,