Crisis in Israel/Palestine
As an independent Jewish congregation that is home to people with many different perspectives on Israel and Palestine, we stand together in profound grief and heartbreak for all who have been killed, kidnapped, injured, displaced, or traumatized by the horrific and escalating violence in Israel/Palestine–now threatening to spread across the Middle East. We grieve with the families in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, and across the world whose lives have been devastated. Continued violence jeopardizes all hope for peace in the region and does not help keep Israelis and Palestinians, or Jews and Muslims anywhere in the world, more safe. We add ours to the voices calling for an immediate ceasefire, a return of all those taken hostage, and an increase in humanitarian assistance commensurate with the overwhelming need.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive and growing list of communications and signed statements from Kolot Leadership. In line with Kolot’s Policy Regarding Staff, Clergy, and Board Members’ Public Positions on Israel/Palestine, these statements are not necessarily representative of the whole community or indeed of leadership as a whole.
Communications from Kolot’s leadership on the crisis:
Jewish Leaders Letter to President Biden and Sen. Schumer [signed by Rabbis Sami Barth and Ellen Lippmann, and Cantor Lisa B. Segal] [March 22, 2024]
Kolot co-sponsors Rabbis4Ceasefire's “Shabbat For Ceasefire” [January 17, 2024]
Kolot’s Israel/Palestine Task Force launch [November 13, 2023]
T’ruah Open Letter from North American Rabbis and Cantors Responding to the Crisis in Israel and Gaza [signed by Rabbis Sami Barth and Ellen Lippmann, and Cantor Lisa B. Segal]
Pastoral letter from Rabbi Sami and Cantor Lisa [October 27, 2023]
Pastoral letter from Rabbi Sami Barth [October 20, 2023]
Synagogues Rising Statement [signed by Kolot] [October 13, 2023]
Words on Kolot’s Open Tent from Rabbi Emerita Ellen Lippmann [October 13, 2023]
Resources from Cantor Lisa B. Segal [October 11, 2023]
Messages from Kolot’s clergy and invitation to gather in prayer, community, and grief [October 9, 2023]
As always, Kolot’s clergy can be reached here for support:
Rabbi Sami Barth: InterimRabbiSami@kolotchayeinu.org
Rabbi Emerita Ellen Lippmann: RabbiEmerita@kolotchayeinu.org
Cantor Lisa B. Segal: Cantor@kolotchayeinu.org
**This page will continue to be updated with additional messages and resources.**