Senior Rabbi of B'nai Jeshrun, Felicia Sol, shared the vision of "what God wants from us," invoking the concepts of Moses Maimonides. "Everyone can stand up for justice, doing what is right and good," she said. Addressing Netanyahu's ongoing strategy, she declared, "Enough of Bibi's warmongering. There's no time to waste. Bring them home now. Wednesday evening, say goodbye to 5784; good riddance. We want to welcome in the New Year with hope." As a final benediction, she added, "Let this year and its curses come to an end."
Former Israeli fighter pilot and a veteran of the Six Day War, Dr. Kobi Richter, announced flatly, "Bibi does not represent me. He is sacrificing Israel for his own career." He also called for Netanyahu's resignation.
Gili Getz, photojournalist and Israeli American activist, gave an impassioned speech. Instrumental in numerous organizations. Getz laid out his frustrations unambiguously.
"Tomorrow at the U.N., Bibi will lie and use bullshit terms like Total Victory. He's a dictator wannabe. He's helping Trump, which will put our [American] freedoms at risk. Israel is being sacrificed. All he cares about is keeping his government." Getz specifically articulated Netanyahu's agenda of cementing "violent exclusivity over the land and turning the police into a militia." He asked, "Where does it come from?" Without missing a beat, he declared the truth that many Jews in the United States still don't want to recognize. "A system of occupation." Getz implored the crowd, "They must be stopped. Bring peace and prosperity to all Israelis and Palestinians on behalf of Israelis for peace."
Josh Drill, born in America, moved to Israel because he saw it as his "spiritual home. A leader in the pro-Democracy movement, he delineated the attack within the [Israeli] nation as a "slaughter of Israel's soul." His top takeaways, while allowing the path forward wasn't easy, was: "There are Palestinian partners for peace." He told listeners, "Each and everyone here today can ignite [action] in your social circles."
In a brief moment of humor, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum suggested that if Netanyahu "really" cared about the people of Israel, he would trade himself for all the hostages. She related how, in the 1970s and 1980s, there was already a distinct understanding that the "Occupation would destroy the soul of Israel."
Kleinbaum pulled in a worldview when she underscored, "We need to get rid of Bibiism and Trumpism. There is a tsunami of hate we are facing." Listing the countries experiencing a rightward political shift, Kleinbaum said, "It's happening all over the world. We must link arms and reject the politics of hate."
I particularly appreciated her discussion of Rosh Hashanah, the sixth day of Creation, and the Biblical thoughts on darkness, chaos, and the Hidden Light. The symbolism of that Hidden Light resides in God telling the human race: "Look for it."
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