Rabbi’s Message: September 1, 2025

Years ago, when we were living in Israel and our Bigs and the Littles were no more than a dream, there were a series of rockets from Gaza. Every day, at some point between breakfast and naps, a siren would wind up its chilling call and I would snatch my children from their play and sprint to our re-enforced saferoom or, if we were out at the park or the grocery store or buying a pizza for dinner, then the closest bomb shelter. We would tuck ourselves in, my arms wrapped around my squirming two (and, years later, four), singing songs or telling stories or getting to know the neighbors as we waited for the “booms” to subside. 

At the time, I was asked why we weren’t planning on moving back to the States.

It was the same year as Sandy Hook. And I thought a terrible thing to myself: well, at least when we are attacked here, there is a saferoom where we can go. 

This year, after dropping my children off for their first day of school, I opened up the news to read about the tragedy in Minnesota on August 27th. To see the picture of a mom, holding a shoe in each hand - shoes that I recognize from my own closet - as she sprinted into danger, on the chance that she would be able to wrap her arms around her babies and sing comforting songs to them, too… it reminded me of how painful the reality of this world can be.

It is approaching 13 years since Sandy Hook and the war I first experienced with Hamas. There is still no peace in Israel. There are still shootings in our schools here in the United States. In the context of these tragedies, I am devastated to realize: we are still here. In the tender reaching for hope, I can summon the courage to say: we are still here. 

Everyone - every human being - should have the privilege of physical safety. No one should need to be this brave. But we are here, nonetheless. We are here to hold the tender hope that peace is possible, that safety is possible, in every corner of this world. 

If you are interested in donating to our security fund - particularly in advance of these High Holy Days - please contact Holly at holly@tbytahoe.org. If you would like to get involved with our security committees, please contact Heidi at hdoyle55@gmail.com.