This has been a difficult summer in Israel for so many reasons. Though casualties and hardships weigh heavily, Israelis are strong and resilient. We want to share some personal reflections on the situation from our dear friend, Rabbi Yael Katz, who was with us in November and March as a visiting fellow from the Reform Movement in Israel.
Dear Clergy, Leadership, Staff, and All My Dear TBS Friends and Family,
Greetings and longing from a beloved country.
I am writing to you as our global and Israeli reality once again changes at unimaginable speed.
Just three months ago, I was privileged to be with you and to be hosted by your amazing congregation. I deeply treasure the experiences we shared and the plans we began to form for the future. Though only a short time has passed, we know how precious every second is – for the 50 hostages still held captive, and for all those suffering the consequences of this ongoing war.
My family and I carry constant concern for our son, Ori, who has served as a tank commander since the beginning of the war – in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and now, once again, in Gaza.
Last Thursday night, we Israelis awoke to alarms that ushered in a new, alarming reality: another front in the war, this time against Iran. The sirens pierced the night and sent us seeking shelter once more. The strange reality of the past two years has been turned upside down again.
We prepared emergency rooms and shelters; schools closed, exams were canceled, and end-of-year celebrations were halted as civilians huddled in their homes, anxiously awaiting what would come next.
As a family, we are fortunate to have a secure room (MaMad) inside our home. We are aware that many must run outside their homes to reach shelter—an even greater and more dangerous challenge. My partner, Chen, who works at HaEmek Hospital in Afula, near our kibbutz, went out that same night to help shift the hospital into emergency mode, ready to protect and treat anyone in need.
Despite this difficult reality, our community has been a source of strength. On the kibbutz, we divide into neighborhood groups and check in on one another after every alarm. This web of care and responsibility is a reminder of the resilience and compassion that sustain us.
My congregation as well as all IMPJ congregations have been a spiritual anchor, hosting Kabbalat Shabbat, Shacharit, Havdalah, daily study sessions, and community conversations – all via Zoom – to help us breathe in a world filled with fear and uncertainty.
The Reform movement has created a network of hosts and guests, welcoming members who need more secure shelter. It is a profound privilege to be part of this national and global family, where one always finds open doors, warm hugs, and hearts full of care.
Our Shnat Sherut participants (volunteer year) are leading Zoom activities for children and teens, while the education department organizes programs for toddlers, and congregations generously share study and prayer opportunities. Partnership, mutual concern, and open-heartedness give us strength in these challenging days.
As a family, we’ve found solace in a small tradition: completing 1,000-piece puzzles together. It’s become a kind of therapy, a moment of quiet unity.
In the midst of this upside-down reality, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. We are safe. We can help. We serve – in the hospital, in the army, in our communities, in networks of care and response, and most of all, in our commitment to one another.
The family we were born into, the family we chose, and the family we built together – near and far – are our sources of strength. Your love and messages across the ocean are part of that sacred circle of connection.
– Rabbi Yael Katz