I am heartbroken and enraged at the news of the tragic murder of six hostages in Gaza,  Hersh Goldberg-Polin, z”l, Almog Sarusi, z”l, Alex Lobanov, z”l, Carmel Gat, z”l, Eden Yerushalmi, z”l, and Ori Danino, z”l. These precious souls, ranging in age from 23-39 years old, were murdered by Hamas while a deal for their return has been sitting on the table for two months.  Each death in this horrible war is a tragedy, and as a community, this moment is particularly hard to hold. We mourn the loss of people whose names and faces have become so familiar to us, whose stories we have shared for 11 months, who are themselves precious individuals and who have come to represent, for many of us, the pain and tragedy of this war.  

It was only a week ago when many of us listened to Hersh’s parents, Rachel and Jon, speak so powerfully at the Democratic National Convention about the pain and and tragedy brought by this war and about the need for a ceasefire deal that would bring Hersh and the other hostages home.  I was deeply moved as I watched the tears from people across the room as they spoke, knowing that this was, as Jon said: “not a political issue, but a humanitarian one”. 

For more than 330 days, we have prayed for the safe return of all of the hostages. Even as we mourn the loss of these precious souls, we continue to pray for the safe and immediate return of all of the remaining hostages, and we plead with the Israeli government and the international community to do everything in their power to bring them home. . .before it is too late.

For those who are moved to do so, please consider joining me and others across the NY City community for a Vigil with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum to mourn those who have been lost and to speak for those who might yet be saved.  The vigil is today, Sunday, September 1st at 8PM at Columbus Circle.  

These days are so difficult to manage, and the one thing I know is that we should not do this alone. So, please consider joining us on Wednesday morning (7:45AM) for minyan.  We will mark Rosh Chodesh Elul, the first day of the sounding of the Shofar, that broken call that awakens us to the coming of the New Year.  May its shattered call give voice to the pain of this moment in our world.  And may its final extended cry help us hear the possibility of hope and wholeness that seem so far away at this moment. 

May the memories of those we have lost be a blessing.  May comfort come to all who are mourning this day.  And may each of us find strength as we move forward together.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Carie Carter

For the upcoming PSJC-Central American Legal Assistance clinic on April 2, we still need volunteers to help supply snacks and watch children--an important component. If you are interested, please contact Rachel Danzing at rachdanzing@yahoo.com. 

Please register as a CALA volunteer here for those interested in helping prepare asylum applications at future sessions. 

We have enough application volunteers for April 2, but there will be opportunities on May 7 and June 4. CALA will email everyone—old and new volunteers—three weeks before each clinic and arrange for Zoom training for new volunteers.

Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially welcome; if you prefer not to prepare applications, you can serve as an interpreter for another volunteer.

Please contact Laura Wolff at laurarscf@aol.com with any questions.

Criminal Justice Shabbat March 2024

Last month we successfully launched our partnership with Central American Legal Assistance (CALA), a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to asylum seekers in New York.  On March 5th from 9-1:00 PM, we will again host CALA’s monthly pro se asylum clinic. CALA has enough volunteers to prepare applications on this date, but they could use a few more Spanish-speaking interpreters. Volunteer opportunities include: 

1. Application preparation: If you are interested in preparing an asylum application, please register as a CALA volunteer here. You will be added to CALA’s list of volunteers and notified of CALA’s upcoming clinics. You can specify that you are a PSJC community member and would like to participate in the PSJC-CALA clinics. For the March 5 clinic, please fill out the Google form no later than 02/16 if you'd like to be considered to participate. CALA will prioritize PSJC members for PSJC dates but also needs to balance first-time application assistants with more experienced ones and with the need for interpreters. No legal training is necessary and CALA provides a required online training for all new volunteers. You do not need to speak Spanish (interpreters will be available) but it is very welcome if you do. For questions, contact Laura Wolff (laurarscf@aol.com)

2. Food/snacks: To donate snacks or help coordinate this effort, please contact Rachel Danzing at rachdanzing@yahoo.com

3. Childcare: If you can help watch children while their parents work on their asylum applications, please contact Rachel at rachdanzing@yahoo.com. 

In partnership with HIAS, we will dedicate Shabbat learning to expanding our understanding of Jewish insights regarding refugees and the current context.

On Shabbat, February 10 at PSJC:

• During Shabbat morning services, our Rabbinic Fellow Talia Kaplan will give a d'var Torah in which she will frame issues of refugee resettlement through the lens of the week's Torah portion, Mishpatim.

• At 1:00 PM, Merrill Zack, HIAS Vice-President for Community Engagement and Executive Director of HIAS NY will join us in-person to provide an update on the

• evolving landscape for refugees and asylum seekers, current advocacy priorities, and how PSJC members can help advance these priorities and the wellbeing of migrants in our community and beyond.

• We will also be joined by Rebecca Press, Senior Counsel at Central American Legal Assistance and Co-Founder of Co-Counsel NYC. Rebecca has worked with NYC's immigrant communities for over two decades and will be able to answer questions about the situation of migrants in New York City and legal service providers' responses to their legal needs.

This event is open to the community; please invite friends and neighbors interested in immigration and refugee issues. Contact Laura Wolff (laurarscf@aol.com) and

Rachel Danzing (rachdanzing@yahoo.com) with any questions.

1. Application preparation: If you are interested in preparing an asylum application, please register as a CALA volunteer here. Please specify on the form that you are a PSJC community member and would like to participate in the PSJC-CALA clinics. No legal training is necessary and CALA provides a required online training in advance of the clinic for all new volunteers. CALA will send info re: the training at least one week in advance. You do not need to speak Spanish but it is very welcome if you do.  

2. Food/snacks: We plan to provide snacks on the day of the clinic. If you are interested in donating or helping to coordinate this effort, please contact Rachel Danzing at rachdanzing@yahoo.com

3. Childcare: Children are often present during the clinics and it can be hard for their parents to concentrate on their asylum applications. If you are interested in helping to watch over little ones, please contact Rachel at rachdanzing@yahoo.com. We will know one week in advance if children will be coming and this service is needed.

We hope to continue this project on a monthly basis. Please reach out to Laura Wolff at laurarscf@aol.com or Rachel at rachdanzing@yahoo.com with any questions or ideas about other ways you’d like to support this effort now or at future clinic sessions.   

Just one day before, a former Brooklyn shinshinit, Aviv, called me to share the story of one of these hostages, a young girl named Emily Hand who turns nine today, far from her family, likely in a tunnel somewhere in Gaza. Please join with me in remembering Emily and all of her fellow hostages and in lifting up her story. I want to add one other request: When you light your shabbat candles tonight, please add a birthday candle, to honor Emily and to remember the hostages, and to pray for light to overcome the dark. If you can take a photo (before the bracha) and share it to broaden the message, all the better.

May this first Shabbat of the month of Kislev help us find the light in the midst of these very dark days, and may it bring a time of peace closer, for Israelis, Palestinians, and for us all.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Carie Carter

Here’s what you can do:

• Take action: urge Congress to hold the administration accountable for processing applications for protection in a timely manner and addressing backlogs.

• Amplify on social media: You can use our graphics and sample posts as a guide.

After three incredibly intense, challenging and inspiring days, I and my colleagues have returned from a whirlwind mission of support to Israel, organized by UJA-Federation of NY. While skeptical at first, unsure of the value of American rabbis showing up in Israel during this time of war, I soon realized the critical importance of our presence, a reminder of the bond between the Jewish diaspora and Israel and its people. I was amazed at the expressions of deep appreciation from Israeli after Israeli who received our efforts with hugs and tears. In the midst of these horrible days, we were able to show them that they were not alone. We sat with refugees, families of hostages, people who have lost loved ones, soldiers and their families, and people stepping forward in every way possible to help Israel and to help those who have already lost so much. The pain and the resilience of this society was palpable. Being in Israel this week was, in so many ways, both horrifying and deeply inspiring, and I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you about this experience, on Friday with Lena at Lev Tahor and on Wednesday evening at 5:00PM.

As you may know, we are about to reach the shloshim (the 30-day mark) since the horrific attack on October 7th. I hope you will join us in what has become a series of moments to gather and mark this moment—to honor those who lost their lives in this most brutal of ways. We do this by coming together, as a Brooklyn community, as a city, as the Jewish people world-wide, to remember and to mourn and to honor their memories. If I learned one thing this week in Israel, it was that we desperately need one another, and that our presence truly does bring comfort to those who mourn and those who are frightened. May we each take advantage of these opportunities to come together, to support one another here, and to show our support for those across the sea who need us now.

With prayers of peace for Israelis, Palestinians, and for us all,

Rabbi Carie Carter Park Slope Jewish Center

Rabbinic Reflections: Join us for a conversation featuring Brooklyn rabbis who were on our UJA Solidarity mission in Israel. Friday, November 3, 2023 | 1:00PM on Zoom Closed captioning available The rabbis, who represent our diverse Jewish community, are lending support and solidarity to the people of Israel during these immensely challenging times. They’ll share with us their experiences being on the ground, and we will hear how we can support Israel even if we can’t physically be there. Rabbi Carie Carter, Park Slope Jewish Center Rabbi Michelle Dardashti, Kane Street Synagogue Rabbi Serge Lippe, Brooklyn Heights Synagogue REGISTER NOW

Sharing Thoughts about the Current Situation in Israel and Anti-Semitism in America Speaker Lena Katsnelson, along with Rabbi Carie Friday, November 3 | 6:30 PM at PSJC and on Zoom Come join Lev Tahor, PSJC's all-sung, lay-led Kabbalat Shabbat service. Do what Jews do in times of celebration and times of confusion: sing, shmooze, have something to eat, and join a lively conversation with friends familiar and new. Lev Tahor services include a dairy/pareve pot luck; all voices warmly welcome. Many at PSJC know Lena as an active member and community leader (not to mention, challah baker extraordinaire). Many may not know that in her non-PSJC life, Lena is the Director of both the Lawyers Division and the Russian Division at UJA-Federation, giving her a unique vantage point to share with us as we mark another week since October 7. She will be joined by Rabbi Carie Carter, who just returned from a UJA Solidarity Mission to Israel and will reflect on her experiences on the trip.

International Memorial Ceremony Sunday, November 5 | 12:00 PM at PSJC Please join us at PSJC for an international memorial service for the 1400 people who were killed in the October 7th terrorist attack. The main ceremony will be held in Jerusalem and live streamed on Facebook; we will display the ceremony on the screen in the PSJC Sanctuary. During the ceremony they will also live stream communities taking part in the ceremony from all around the world, including PSJC. *Hebrew School parents who plan to be in attendance should let Aileen know and can plan to pick their child up from downstairs following the ceremony or ask to have their child join them.

Marking 30 Days Since October 7th Monday, November 6 | 5:30 PM (gates open at 4:00PM) Central Park West from 83rd-85th On October 7, the worldwide Jewish community changed forever as a result of the terror wrought by Hamas. One month later, we come together to mark this moment, united in heartbreak and solidarity as we stand as one for Israel.

Marking 30 Days Since October 7th Monday, November 6 | 7PM Kane Street Synagogue November 6th is the 22 of Heshvan, exactly one month on the Jewish calendar since Hamas attacked southern Israel. We will come together with friends from PSJC, Flatbush Jewish Center, Kane Street, Lab/Shul, and more to observe shloshim (30 days) since the tragic losses incurred that day and since. We will join in music, community, and comfort. RSVP link to follow soon.

That's How The Light Gets In: A Tribute Concert To Leonard Cohen Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 PM Union Temple House of CBE - 17 Eastern Parkway An evening to honor the life and music of the iconic modern-day prophet Leonard Cohen, whose timeless body of work as a songwriter, performer, and poet spans more than 50 years and explores religion, politics, isolation, love, and mortality. To commemorate his 7th yahrzeit, as well as 30 days since the outbreak of war in Israel and Gaza, cantors and ritual artists from across Brooklyn join guitarist Dan Nadel, vocalist Shira Averbuch, and an ensemble of world-class musicians. Together they lift up Cohen's most timely and relevant melodies alongside classic Israeli songs of comfort, resilience and hope. This event is sponsored by the Center for New Jewish Culture in partnership with Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, Brooklyn Jews, Congregation Beth Elohim, Kolot Chayeinu/Voices Of Our Lives, East Midwood Jewish Center, Park Slope Jewish Center, Romemu Brooklyn, and Kane Street Synagogue. Tickets / More Information A portion of proceeds will aid the community of K’far Aza.

Reflections from Israel with Rabbi Carie Wednesday, November 8th | 5:00PM (PSJC and Zoom) Join Rabbi Carter for a chance to hear her reflections on her time in Israel as part of a UJA Solidarity mission to Israel. *Hebrew School parents who plan to attend should let Aileen know and we will bring those students to the sanctuary at dismissal.

1) Sign the 'Faith Leaders for the Right to Shelter' sign-on letter to the Mayor and Governor. Read and sign the letter here. 2) Call Mayor Adams. If the City’s application to remove the guarantee of a shelter bed for anyone who needs one is successful, it would prevent many of the new arrivals and a significant portion of the existing unhoused population from accessing City run shelter. Let Mayor Adams hear that faith communities will not stand for the City turning its back on the most vulnerable among us. Fill out this form or Call 311 to ask the Mayor to do better. 3) Contact the Governor. Some upstate counties are not living up to their obligations under Article 17. Tell Gov. Hochul that in this time of crisis shelters statewide should be more--not less--accessible to people who need them. Call the Governor at 1-518-474-8390 or fill out this online form

Kveller.com Here's How to Talk to Your Kids About the Violence in Israel and Gaza Resources from PJ Library General information about Israel How to talk to kids about scary situations How to talk to children about antisemitism

My colleague Beverly Lerner from Makom Community provides some useful guidance in how you may choose to talk to your children about Israel in the coming days and weeks. Use fewer words. No really, fewer. It could be as simple as sharing, “You might hear about there being a war happening in Israel. Let me know if you have any questions.” Choose those words carefully. It’s okay not to say “kidnapped” or “rockets” when you’re talking with younger kids. They may not need details on the Iron Dome or where the rockets came from, unless they ask about it. When kids ask questions, answer the question they asked as literally as possible. When my 5 year old kiddo asked me, “What’s a war?” I told them, “It’s when people hurt each other because they think it will solve problems.” Both my kids reflected on how absurd that sounded! ...It’s powerful to share with kids that we’re having feelings, and it’s also worthwhile to remind them that the feelings of adults are never their responsibility to address. That could sound like this:I’m worried about friends I know in Israel living through a war. And I will still always be your safe grownup to talk to about anything. My feelings are never your job to fix. Sit in the quiet. After you share something like “There is war happening in Israel.” Wait for them to respond with feelings or questions. Or just follow the kids’ lead when they are ready to go back to watching TV or working on their art projects. They’ll come back to you with questions as they are ready over the days and weeks ahead. Parents of middle school students: You may want to additionally ask them what they’re hearing at school and offer to validate their feelings or help form responses if they want to. That could sound like this: Are you hearing anything at school from kids or teachers about the war in Israel? [They share.] Oh. That sounds tricky. How is that sitting with you? Did you respond? Do you want to if it comes up again? I’m always here to chat with you about whatever is on your mind.

From Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal, Central Synagogue Teens: Give them the facts, as much as you can, but more importantly, help them to find sources of news that they can trust, and teach them to ask questions about everything they see, especially on social media but in traditional media as well (true about Israel, but also always true). There are some horrible images and videos out there, so make sure you are on top of what your kids are seeing and monitor their mental health around what they are seeing and hearing. Remind your kids that you can help them process what they are seeing, and ask them to tell you or another trusted adult if they see or hear things that are difficult or that they don’t understand. Teens don’t always want to communicate, but this is a moment to keep checking in. Middle and Elementary School: Your kids likely know what is going on or they will hear about it in school or online. It is better if you are the one to tell them, so that you can give them a foundation for what they are hearing around them. Answer questions honestly, but don’t give more details than they need. Do not let them scroll social media unattended. There are a lot of terrible images and videos out there, and your kids will need context and support for what they are seeing. If you have family or friends in Israel and they are safe, reassure your child. If they are not, be honest about that too, with the right level of detail for your child. Lying about hard things makes it much worse when the truth comes out. Assure your children that they are safe. Early Childhood: Your kids likely know something is up, especially if you are upset. Be careful with news, podcasts, phone calls, etc and try, as much as you can, to keep things normal for your kids. If they ask questions, take a deep breath before you answer and try to answer with only the most necessary and straightforward language you can. Do not lie, but you do not need to give all the details. Assure them that they are safe. Parents: Give yourself some grace. This is a constantly changing, extremely traumatic situation. The best you can do is good. You are the expert on your children and your students and you will know what they need. This is hard.

Sukkot was a beautiful, joyful time at PSJC. After a very rainy start, the sukkah

was filled with wonderful, well-attended gatherings for people of all ages.

But Zman Simchateinu—The Season of our Joy—was crushed early Saturday

morning when we heard of the horrific and ongoing attack on Israel by Hamas

terrorists. The exuberance of Simchat Torah was replaced by deep sadness,

grief and shock. . .

Many of us came together on Shabbat morning, grateful for the gift of community,

supporting one another, offering prayers for the state of Israel, the soldiers of Israel,

the people of Israel, adding those who had been killed only hours prior to our Yizkor

emembrance.

With heavy hearts, as this war began, we gathered on Saturday night and again on

Sunday for subdued but emotional Simchat Torah observances which focused our

hearts and our prayers even more on Israel and the hope for safety and peace,

reminding us all that we continue to be steadfast in our commitment to Israel.

Prayer is one way we can express that commitment, but there are actions that are

needed as well. Please consider making a donation to organizations such as those

below that you know to be reliable partners:

UJA-Federation of NY Israel Emergency Fund

https://www.ujafedny.org/israel-emergency-fund

American Friends of Magen David Adom

https://secure.afmda.org/

Friends of Samson Assuta Ashdod Hospital. (Near the Gaza Border).

These donations will help cover a variety of medical emergency equipment.

www.AssutaAshdodFriends.org

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

https://www.fidf.org/

Hundreds of thousands of Israel’s reservists have been mobilized to the front line,

but they are fitted with outdated gear from the ‘80s. A donation for the best

protective gear out there—a Ceramaic vest + helmet—is $690. If you have the

means, please donate to help provide this life-saving equipment:

https://www.brothersisrael.org/form/Emergency-Israel-Fund-.html

Housing

Many Israelis are stuck in New York with no flights back home.

If you can offer temporary housing, please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeoIEjjyF2AhRhSm3zY2tHuyTGEryWA3pF5JLWxptfACyv_Q/viewform

Showing up

The UJA and JCRC will be setting up a large vigil and rally on Israel’s behalf on

Tuesday at 5:00PM at a MidtownEast Manhattan. We will send out more details

as they become available. I will be leaving from PSJC at 4:15PM if anyone

would like to go with me from there.

Learn more

Elad, our Shaliach, has organized a zoom with Neil Lazarus on Tuesday,

October 10 | 12PM EST He will speak about the relationship of Israel and Hamas,

Gaza Strip, and will give an update from Israel about the situation "on the ground."

We will have the zoom link available on our website.

Processing Together

The pain of these days is immense, and we know that many in our community are

affected quite personally, fearing for friends and family alike. We at PSJC are here

to support one another. To that end, Nir Sadovnik and I will be holding an

open-circle for people who would simply like to process together.

This gathering will be Wednesday, October 11th, from 5:15-6:45PM in the

PSJC tent. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you would like to talk during

these challenging days.

Showing our support for Israel—as a PSJC community—and as a broader Jewish

community—is particularly important right now. As we learn of communal gatherings

in New York, we will be sure to share it with you.

Prayer alone is not enough in moments like this. But perhaps it can give help us

center ourselves. Perhaps it can help us work our way through the mix of emotions

that is flooding our hearts and our minds as the reality of this horrific time comes

forward. Perhaps it can be a place to start as we go about the work of connection

and support so needed at this time. And so, I will close with a simple prayer:

Y’hi Shalom b’heilech—Shalvah b’armenotaiyich—May there be peace within your

walls, (O Israel)—serenity within your homes. May the rockets and the violence

come to an end. May all who have been captured, be returned safely.

May the people of Israel regain a sense of security and wholeness.

And may we help them know that they are not alone.

As we sang repeatedly this weekend: Adonai Oz L’amo Yiten, Adonai Y’varech

et Amav Ba-Shalom. May God give strength to God’s people,

and may God bless God's peoples with peace..

L'shalom!

Rabbi Carie Carter

As the crisis in Israel continues, we continue to create and share opportunities to come together, both as a wider community on zoom and city-wide, and also at PSJC. Here are some of those opportunities for the next few days:

Tuesday, October 10 | 12:00PM on Zoom UJA Federation with Naftali Bennett Join Naftali Bennett, former Prime Minister of Israel, for a briefing from Israel. He will provide the latest information, insight, and analysis in real time, as events unfold. Tuesday, October 10 | 1:30PM EST on Zoom Israel in a War: A Conversation With Neil Lazarus About Israel, Hamas and Gaza Join our Shaliach, Elad, on a special Zoom with Neil Lazarus who will speak about the relationship of Israel and Hamas, the Gaza Strip, and will give an an update from Israel about the situation “on the ground.” Tuesday, October 10 | 5:00PM at Dag-Hammarskjold Plaza New York Stands With Israel Rally Rabbi Carie will be leaving from PSJC at 4:15PM if anyone would like to go from there. Note: no backpacks allowed.

Wednesday, October 11 | 5:15-6:45PM in the PSJC Tent Processing Together The pain of these days is immense, and we know that many in our community are affected quite personally, fearing for friends and family alike. We at PSJC are here to support one another. Please join Nir Sadovnik and Rabbi Carie Carter for an open-circle for people who would simply like to process together. Wednesday, October 11 | 7:30PM at PSJC Israel on Social Media— with Former Brooklyn Shinshin, Aviv Kurnas So much is being said about Israel on social media today, particularly since this war began. Come learn with Aviv, a political science and communications student and an Israeli Air Force reserve soldier, about what is out there and how to best express yourself around Israel, especially in the world of social media, which is not known as a platform for nuance. This is particularly important in this moment, when so much false information is being spread across the internet. This program is open to all, and it might be particularly meaningful to teens and young adults. Email Aviv at AVIV@ISRAEL-IS.ORG for more information. For those who are attending both Wednesday evening events, we will have some light dinner fare available. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you would like to talk during these challenging days.

Adonai Oz L’Amo Yiten, Adonai Y’varech et Amav B’shalom

May God grant God’s people strength, May God bless all of God’s people with Peace.

-Rabbi Carie Carter

Please click here to send an email asking your members of Congress to support the Afghan Adjustment Act.

Thousands of Afghans evacuated to the United States following the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan are still living in a precarious status of legal limbo that makes their lives in a new country exceptionally difficult, with no clear pathway to permanent residency. Please act today to urge your member of Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act to allow these Afghans currently on temporary humanitarian parole to apply for legal permanent residence, giving them the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

Thank you!

CLEAN SLATE UPDATE

The Clean Slate Act has passed in both the Assembly and the Senate!

Now, we need to make sure Governor Hochul signs Clean Slate into law.

Please call her at 518-474-8390 or tweet at her @GovKathyHochul to demand she sign Clean Slate now. After advocacy by many PSJC members and others affiliated with the New York Jewish Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform, along with the critical work of our partner community advocacy organizations, the Clean Slate Act has passed both legislative houses. Your help is needed to ensure that the Governor signs Clean Slate into law. Thank you all for your contributions to this incredible and historic campaign.

In response to the Israeli government’s suspension of legislative consideration of judicial reform measures, Conservative/Masorti movement organizations issued the following statement: "We commend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his decision to temporarily suspend his coalition's controversial judicial reform proposals. We are pleased that this policy has been postponed until at least after Passover, giving time for reflection on the potential ramifications of such an extreme overhaul. We salute the hundreds of thousands who filled the streets of Israel rallying for democracy. We also salute those within the coalition who listened to concerned voices in Israel and abroad and who have pushed for a government responsive to its citizens. The Conservative/Masorti movement is committed to promoting the values of justice, equality, and democracy in Israel and around the world. We believe that the suspension of this proposal is a step in the right direction, and we call on all parties to work together to ensure that the rights and freedoms of all citizens are protected. This is the time to strengthen the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state as established in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. We believe ardently that the proposed judicial reform is fraught with danger and goes against the principles of democracy. Democracy exists to protect the rights of minority parties against subjugation by a majority, or even a super-majority. The proposed legislation would have undermined the independence of the judiciary and jeopardized the democratic fabric of Israeli society. The firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following his call to pause this legislative push is also deeply concerning. Gallant's comments about security vulnerabilities raised by these divisions cannot be ignored. We expect the government to prioritize compromise and work towards a more cohesive and united Israel that ensures the safety and security of all citizens. On the eve of celebrating Israel’s 75 years of independence, we aspire to a State of Israel which continues to build a future of stability and prosperity as a Jewish and democratic state.” Signed, Rabbinical Assembly USCJ Cantors Assembly Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs Jewish Educators Assembly Masorti Olami MERCAZ Olami MERCAZ USA The North American Association of Synagogue Executives Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano Women's League for Conservative Judaism