These past few days have been the most difficult for the Jewish people in the last fifty years. It was the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. On Saturday morning, Oct. 7, over a thousand people were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and thousands more were injured. After the Holocaust, we vowed, “Never Again.” Yet, since the Holocaust, we have never lost so many in a single day. And still, the danger continues: the war lies ahead.
The mass terror attack was carried out by barbaric evil forces seeking nothing but to torture and kill Jewish men, women and children and sow terror among Jews everywhere.
Starting with a barrage of thousands of rockets into Israel, raining down on cities as far north as Tel Aviv, terrorists then entered Israel and began the pillage, going from house to house, seeking out civilians and torturing and murdering families, men, women and children. No one was spared, even the elderly and frail were tortured, executed and taken hostage back to the terrorist’s controlled Gaza.
Their intent was to kill Jews. The shock, hurt and grief we feel as a community knowing that across the ocean, our brothers and sisters are being brutally murdered because of nothing more than their being Jewish, is heartbreaking. Americans from across society stand with Israel, stand in solidarity with those in Israel and are coming together in a show of unity. Our city of Coral Gables leadership led by our Mayor, have indicated their unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish community. As a symbolic gesture, the City Hall is being illuminated in blue and white lights in solidarity with Israel.
This attack transcends religious and cultural differences, it is a clear fight between the forces of hatred and evil and those of good and light. The eradication of this evil necessitates society to come together, Jews and non-Jews and fight it.
“Coral Gables stands united with our brothers and sisters in Israel during this harrowing time,” says Rabbi Avraham Stolik, director of Chabad Jewish center in Coral Gables. “We must remember that by illuminating our own corner of the world with acts of goodness and kindness, we can impact events on the other side of the world.”
During past conflicts in the Land of Israel, when things seemed bleak, and during times of danger for the Jewish people, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, the most influential rabbi in modern history, suggested that we increase in acts of goodness and kindness to elicit G d’s protection.
In this vein, Chabad Coral Gables is spearheading a Mitzvah – Good Deed campaign. This initiative aims to combat hatred and violence with acts of goodness and kindness.
We at Chabad in Coral Gables call upon community members to dedicate positive deeds in memory of those who perished, and to increase in acts of goodness and kindness in the merit of the recovery of those injured, for the safe return of the hostages and for the success of the IDF in protecting the land of Israel and eradicating the evil in its midst.
Recommendations include coming together in unity for prayer, extra charity, lending a helping hand, offering a smile to a neighbor etc. When you do these good deeds, dedicate them to the safety of the citizens in Israel.
Additionally, the Israel Emergency Relief Fund has been established by Chabad-Lubavitch to provide critical support to those affected in Israel. The website is ChabadGables.com/helpisrael. Donations will assist in the humanitarian efforts being carried out by Chabad centers throughout Israel that serve in many places as shelters and crisis centers. Donations can also be made directly to the Israel Defense Forces at fidf.org/IsraelUnderAttack.
“The positive resolutions we undertake must be proportionate to the evil of the terror attack,” adds Rabbi Stolik. “Just as the hate and destruction was so immense, equally, the magnitude of the response to do positive deeds must be that massive.”
For more information about this initiative, please contact Chabad at 305-490-7572 or [email protected]
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About Chabad in Coral Gables: Chabad offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations and was established by emissaries of the Rebbe in 2013.
Rabbi Avraham Stolik
Chabad in the Gables
(305) 490-7572
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“The positive resolutions we undertake must be proportionate to the evil of the terror attack,” adds Rabbi Stolik. “Just as the hate and destruction was so immense, equally, the magnitude of the response to do positive deeds must be that massive.”
If only the Israeli Government and the United states Government believed those words.
I tried posting a larger response, apparently it was struck down by an editor of the website. But I will try again.
Look at the crimes of Hamas, but also at the crimes of Israel. So many Israeli citizens, including family members of those murdered during the Hamas attack, have called for a ceasefire and an end to this conflict. Watch news that challenge you, not an endless cycle of renforcing ideas. Listen to Israeli dissidents like Gideon Levy and Ilan Pappe.
I beg to differ that the IDF has kept Israel safe. They utterly failed in stopping Hama’s attack, even after warnings by Egyptian intelligence (confirmed by the United States). The IDF even moved resources from the South of Israel to the West Bank before the attack on Israel. The IDF has categorically denied that they had previous intelligence. We now know they are lying.
And no, Hamas intent was not to kill Jews. Their intent was to respond to the situation in Gaza imposed by the Israeli Government on the people of Gaza with vicious violence against citizens of Israel, they did not purposely looked for Jewish people only. This is a talking point only Israel has thrown out there.
“The positive resolutions we undertake must be proportionate to the evil of the terror attack,” adds Rabbi Stolik. “Just as the hate and destruction was so immense, equally, the magnitude of the response to do positive deeds must be that massive.” The Israeli Governments and military are responding with more viciousness. The United States just vetoed a resolution to call for humanitarian pause in the War. Unfortunately we are not following the words of the Rabbi, or the words of Israeli dissidents like Iliam Pappe and Gideon Levy.
As for Hamas, this organization has proven what has been told about them for years. A terrorist and murderous clan, who have failed the people of Gaza with vile acts against the Israeli people.
Humanity has failed the people of Israel and Gaza/West Bank.
Thank you for these words – the war lies ahead, in Israel-Gaza and in our very own community. Just last week, Mayor Lago’s anti-semite colors shined brightly from his position on the dais. May we push back on this ideology here and everywhere.
Lago’s attack on Billy Corben in video here
https://communitynewspapers.com/coral-gables-news/mayor-lago-wrong-week-to-be-an-anti-semite/
You can denounce Hamas’s attacks on civilians while simultaneously denouncing the ongoing war crimes and human rights violations committed by the Israeli occupation for decades. The two are not mutually exclusive. But if you dismiss the suffering of the Palestinian community, then what does that say about our values?
… and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He [Jesus] said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
— Matthew 22:35–40
Delighted wise Jewish people like Rabbi Stolik share same core Christian belief.
Sad many professed Christian & Jewish don’t subscribe to the Great Commandment. They prefer an eye for an eye. As Gandhi said “An eye for an eye, makes the whole world blind.”
Sad there are more and more Israeli settlements, against International (UN) Law which provoke the Palestinians. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians can not return to their ancestral homes for the security of Israel. I do understand why. Spain fought the Muslims from 711-1492. Almost 800 years. The Spanish Christians also had settlements along the border of Muslim occupied lands. However, these towns were fortified, many on hilltops.
Israelis should learn from the Spanish or Spanish history, even though many Jewish people despise the Spanish for expelling them.
Sad there is so much profit in war. The warmongers stifle peace.
I appreciate the Gables Insider for being a platform to educate our community on this issue that has been largely misunderstood by many. Very well-said, Rabbi Stolik.
THANK YOU RABBI STOLIK.
You are right. NOW is the time for US aid of All types to nbe rushed to Israel.
Thank you for bringing this home, SIR.
Sincerely,
Jackson Rip Holmes
Very heartening to see Gables Insider provide its platform to the Gables Rabbi to explain the extremely difficult and dangerous situation that Israel is in. Israel’s citizens and its very existence are at stake and they need the support and prayers of all righteous people. No other true democracy has ever been the target of elimination as a country and the extinction of its citizens. Over the past 20 years Israel has done all in its power to help Gaza join the civilized world, but Gaza has been hijacked by a vile terrorist organization. Pray for Israel’s victory over this evil.
Coral Gables stands with you all!
God bless the holy land of Israel. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Evil must be eradicated!
Please donate!
Thank You, Javier. this is very helpful. great to see Gables Insider go well beyond the usual petty politics and B.S. that dominate Commission politics.
Thank you