How are you feeling? How is your family? How are the kids?

We were all asking these questions this past week.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. We are all in this together. Reach out to a friend, spiritual leader, or a professional, and get the help and support that you need.

King Solomon in his wisdom says: “A worry in a person’s heart, speak about it with others.”

The simple meaning is, that when a person articulates a problem, the speaker, may gain a clearer mental assessment of the situation. There is something deeper here as well, that the benefit of discussing the worrisome matter with another is not (only) to gain insight or advice. But more than that, the very fact of speaking to someone who feels your pain and shares your burden, can itself lift some of the weight off your shoulders and loosen the grip of the worry on your consciousness. This highlights how friends, family, and community are so crucial to our emotional wellness.

But how do we win over these evil doers and haters?
We will win by continuing to live Jewishly, bold and unapologetic. What they really want, is for us to be scared, that’s their goal.
We wont let them have the victory. They will fail miserably in the face of our contiued Jewish pride and expression.

In response to the hatred and antisemtisim, my dear cousin and beloved Rabbi, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, taught us how to fight antisemitism and this hatred.

He shared a powerful message on social media, a year ago, reminding the community that antisemitism is not fought through fear, but through pride. In his post, he shows himself placing a Chanukah Menorah on his car, before dancing in the streets of Bondi, openly,  celebrating his Jewish identity. With joy, confidence, and visibility, Rabbi Eli demonstrated that living proudly and unapologetically Jewish, is itself a response to hate.
Here some action items we can do in the memory of these holy souls.

From the 15 lives that were tragically lost, I will mention 3 that I knew well and a mitzvah that can be done in their memory.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was very passionate about educating others about putting on Tefilin.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, spent most of his time organising Mezuzot for the Sydney Jewish community.

Reuvain Morrison, a successful business man, was an example of what it means to give charity, support his Shule and the Jewish community.

Tefilin, Mezuzah, Tzedaka.

Let’s honour their memory and march forward with pride

Shabbat Shalom