Since October 7, the Jewish people have united time and time again in heartbreak. Today we again mourn lives cruelly taken. We grieve with the Bibas and Lifshitz families as they endure the confirmation of the loss of Oded, Kfir, and Ariel. We are also outraged that the fate of Shiri Bibas remains unresolved, cruelly prolonging the anguish of the Bibas family.
Dear Colleagues,
This morning, the Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) joined 25 other regional and national Jewish and Christian organizations in filing a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over new rules allowing immigration raids and arrests at houses of worship.
Our Approach To The New US Administration
The events of the past week—from the ceasefire in Israel to President Trump’s first actions in office—highlight the essential role our Rabbinical Assembly must play in offering support for the new administration when appropriate while speaking out loudly as needed over the next four years.
The Rabbinical Assembly is grateful and elated to learn that some of the surviving Israeli hostages may soon return home and reunite with their families after more than 467 long days in captivity.
The American people have spoken and elected former President Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Our prayers are with him and the entire nation.
We mourn the tragic loss and brutal murders of Israeli hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alex Lobanov, and Ori Danino.
Hersh and his family have deep, multi-generational ties to the Conservative/Masorti Movement. We offer our prayers, comfort, and strength to Rachel, Jon, their family, and to the families of all those whose lives were taken and those still being held hostage by Hamas.
Our Rabbinical Assembly expresses our relief that former President Trump was not seriously injured in the shooting at his rally and our deep grief at the death of one of the attendees.
Said Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, Great is peace for all the blessings are included in it. (Psalms 29:11): “May God grant strength to God’s people; may God grant God’s people peace.” [Leviticus Rabbah 9:9]