Rabbi's Blog

Shalom,

I’m sure you join me in concern over the incursion of Russia into Ukraine. In addition to the general Ukrainian population, there are Jewish communities across Ukraine that are either hunkering down or fleeing for their safety. They are living in fear and many are trying to flee to the west of the country. Empty cash machines and gas stations with no gas are making this a difficult task. We can only imagine what it is like to have to endure this and we offer our support, including our prayers for peace and safety.

Yesterday afternoon, I joined a “Prayer for Peace for Ukraine” event that was coordinated by Masorti Olami (the world wide Conservative Movement) and The Schechter Institutes (which includes the Conservative rabbinical school in Israel). Among other sponsors were the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Rabbinical Assembly and Mercaz. You can view the program by clicking here.

Shared below is one of several specific prayers for peace that have been authored in response to the war in Ukraine.

While we may feel unable to do anything about this horrible situation, there are a number of outlets for us to provide assistance to the Ukraine community.

Some of these include:
The Schechter Institutes Ukraine Campaign

Masorti Olami Emergency Campaign for Masorti/Conservative Communities in Ukraine

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington - Ukraine Emergency Fund

The Ukrainian Red Cross Emergency Appeal
(I love that, when you switch the currency to dollars, on a Ukranian website, two of the donation levels are $18 and $36.)

In addition to helping in whatever limited way we can, I can’t help but keep in mind those in Ukraine who are putting their lives on the line to defend their country. Yes, their military is in action but so are many not in the military who are doing what they can against the overwhelming attack by Russia. There are also many in Russia who are risking their personal freedoms by voicing opposition to the war. Thousands have taken to the streets of Moscow to protest Putin's attack on Ukraine. They were chanting "No to war" in central Moscow.  By doing so, they face serious repercussions in a country where political opposition leaders have been jailed and poisoned. Already over 1,300 people have been "detained" for protesting the invasion into Ukraine. Their actions strengthen the call for us to speak up and speak out against this and all inhumane acts of violence. We need to even have the courage to do so in the face of putting our own liberties at risk.

We prepare to enter Shabbat and a day of peace while at the same time know that those in Ukraine will have anything but a day of peace as they deal with great uncertainty and threat. We pray that they soon experience peace as well.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Werbow