B"H

Monday, Nissan 28, 5784 / May 6, 2024 (13th day of the Omer)

 

Today in Israel has been designated as Yom HaShoa - Holocaust Remembrance Day.

 

Today we remember our 6,000,000 brothers and sisters, men, women and children, who were brutally murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators close to eighty years ago.

 

Yom HaShoa, this year, is not like every other year. Today it has more significance than any other year. “Yom HaShoah” carries greater importance today, after the massacre on October 7, when 1,200 innocent Israelis were murdered and over 200 taken hostage - The worst loss of Jewish life in one day since the Holocaust!

 

Today we again witness open antisemitism so rampant all over the world. From Ivy League colleges and university campuses to the streets of major cities around the world where antisemitism and anti-Israel demonstrations has become the new norm. The chants, “From the River to the Sea,” which literally means the annihilation of ALL Jews living in Israel, G-d forbid, is chanted in public without any shame.      

 

At the Pesach Seder, which we celebrated last week, we raised our cup of wine and recited the, "Vehi She’amda" in which we are reminded that, "In every generation there are those who want to annihilate us, but G-d saves us from their hands." It had so much more meaning and hit closer to home this year than in previous years.

 

The slogan“NEVER AGAIN” has much more meaning today than ever. However, in today’s antisemitic atmosphere it sounds more like a prayer than a statement…

 

A friend of mine told me the following story of his little grandson. When the child heard that Israel was at war with the Hamas, he exclaimed to his mother, “For sure Israel will win.”

 

“But how do you now?” His mother asked him. He innocently replied, “Because G-d is on OUR side!”

 

Yes, G-d IS on OUR side and will save and protect us, as He did during the past 3,000 years.

 

We pray that G-d grant victory to the soldiers of the I.D.F. who are risking their lives on the front lines of battle.  May G-d protect them, their families and all who live in Israel. May G-d send a Refuah Shleimah – a complete healing to all the wounded. May ALL the hostages be reunited with their loved ones immediately.

 

Our greatest tribute to the victims of the “Shoah” is being proud with our Jewish heritage and tradition. Doing whatever we can to assure Jewish education and Jewish continuity.

 

May we merit the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days. Amen.

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY

 

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.