The following message was shared with the congregation on October 7, 2023.

Dear Central Family,

We are devastated by the news from Israel this Shabbat and Simchat Torah morning. Exactly 50 years and a day from the surprise attack of the Yom Kippur War, Israel was once again taken by surprise by a wide scale attack by Hamas and possibly other terrorist forces. Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog and the major opposition leaders have declared Israel “at war.” Hamas has fired over 5,000 rockets into Southern Israel, reaching as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. They have breached border walls and civilians have been deliberately, horrifically targeted, including children — some kidnapped, some killed. As of this writing, there are reports of 40 dead and over 900 wounded in just hours as well as several hostages both in Israel and Gaza.  

As Jews, we value life above all, and we pray for this violence to end quickly.  As proud Zionists we believe in the right of Israel’s citizens to live safely and securely within its borders, and to self-defense when under attack. Central Synagogue is making an initial donation to the Jewish Agency, which is on the ground bringing immediate assistance to the hundreds of victims of terror in this latest attack.  

Whether you are in synagogue today or in your homes, we hope that you will pray for the peace of Israel and our family under dire threat. Our righteous impulse to support the other half of the Jewish community of the world is itself an act of solidarity and love. They need all of us now. Cantor Mutlu recorded this sung prayer, Acheinu (Our Brothers and Sisters) this morning, with Israel in his heart.  

ACHEINU

Acheinu
kol beit yisrael,
han'nutunim b'tzarah
uvashivyah,
ha'omdim bein bayam
uvein bayabasha.

Hamakom Y'racheim Aleihem
v'yotziem
mitzra lirvacha
um'afaila l'orah
umishiabud lig'ulah,
hashta ba'agalah
uvizman kariv.

V'nomar: Amen
 

OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Our brothers and sisters
the whole house of Israel,
who are in distress
and captivity
who wander over sea
and over land —

may God have mercy on them,
and bring them
from distress to comfort,
from darkness to light,
from slavery to redemption,
now, swiftly,
and soon.

And let us say: Amen.
 

May we pray for peace in Israel.

Your Central Synagogue Clergy