Our thoughts and solidarity are with our Israeli brothers and sisters as we awake today, on this Shabbat and Simchat Torah, to news that Hamas has launch an unprecedented terror attack on Israel by land, air and sea. While details are still coming in, many scores of innocent Israeli civilians have been killed, and some have reportedly been
kidnapped and brought into Gaza as hostages. At a time when Israel is particularly vulnerable, and almost exactly 50 years since the Yom Kippur War, Israel is at war again.
The images coming out of Israel are shocking, and Jews around the world feel the pain and horror of seeing our siblings executed in their homes. What is meant to be a day of joy, a celebration of the end of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, the most festive holiday on the Jewish calendar, has become a day of horror, bomb shelters, and mourning.
Israel has the absolute right to defend itself against the invasion by the Iranian-backed Hamas terror organization. Hamas’s actions are no less than war crimes as they deliberately target civilians, and there is no excuse for such brutality by terrorists who besiege Israel.
We pray for the safety and success of Israel's soldiers and police who are fighting to defend the Jewish homeland, and for the peace of all Israel and all the world.
May God give strength to our people, may God bless our people with peace.
B'shalom, Niles
Congregation Beth Shalom Napa Valley 1455 Elm Street Napa, CA 94559
