From the President’s Desk
The events over the weekend in Israel are truly heartbreaking and terrifying. Kidnapping, killing, and injuring civilians, all in the name of hate and retaliation, is entirely beneath us.
From our Jewish board member, Carol Loew:
“Just let me say that this is a tragedy for Israel and Palestinian civilians alike. This is a war that started with terrorists and like all situations of this nature, the general population suffers the damage. We have watched it helplessly going on in Ukraine with no resolution, and we are about to have a devastating storm take place in the Middle East.
As supporters of interfaith practices, allow me to share the call to action that I was given this morning. The bottom line message was to exercise patience as the days go on, and we do not know what we will have to witness. It will be worse before it is better. Newspapers, TV stations, and all media can sensationalize information and cause severe stress levels. This is how rumors are spread, and enemies are made.
There are no winners in this situation. We can only pray for peace, not demonize any group of people, and do not lose sight of the fact that we are all brothers and sisters. By stressing prayer, hope, and love to our friends and neighbors as they struggle with this injustice, give them encouragement to be patient and keep calm as we struggle through the dissension taking place worldwide.”
She is right. There are no winners on either side, just more killing, more destruction, and more hate.
Let us turn our thoughts towards peace, hope, and calm. Mothers and children will be killed on both sides, and the injured and killed will be civilians on both sides. Pray for peace, pray for understanding, pray for unity, pray for calm, and talk about these things with your friends and family.
Serene Erby
President