Cautiously Hopeful: A New Ceasefire Deal

Dear Congregation Beth Emeth,

We are grateful for the news today that Israel reached a ceasefire deal with Hamas that includes the release of hostages abducted into Gaza for 467 days. With bated breath we all wait for the questions of our hearts to be answered: 

How many hostages will be released and who? In what conditions will families reunite and how will families support and embrace their loved ones through this terrible trauma? Will they release Naama Levi, our “adopted” hostage?

At this moment, we might all ask the same or different questions, we might all feel elated or relieved or worried, however I believe we all can appreciate this step forward for Israel and for the hostages. I offer up the following prayer for this occasion:

Rachamim, we pray
Compassion for the captives
Refuah shleimah, we pray
Healing and wholeness
Of body and mind
Am Israel Chai, we cry
To a new kind of endless night
For the hostages still left in Gaza alive
With no end in sight
And I call on our mother, Hannah
As it is written:
“And Hannah prayed:
My heart rejoices in Adonai; 
my cries are exalted through Adonai. 
My mouth widens over my enemies, 
because I rejoice in Your salvation”*

With so much still yet unknown, we move forward with this news with renewed hope, strength, and dedication to a safe return of all of the hostages.

May this ceasefire continue and may the people of Israel and civilians in Gaza find long term peace.

Am Yisrael Chai,

Rabbi Greg D. Weitzman

*Poem and translations contributed by Andrea McNellis