Supporting Israel

Shalom Ramah New England Families,

The pain, sadness and despair that all of us feel upon witnessing the horrible terror attacks in Israel are hard to describe in words. Whether you are part of our DC or Boston day camps, our overnight camp, staff, alumni, family or friends, our connections to Israel and to the Israeli people run deep. So many of our campers, camper families and staff are Israeli. I am afraid that very few of us will not be personally touched by the unfolding tragedies.

We know that many of our mishlachat, Israeli staff and their families, and our Ramah alumni who made Aliyah are either in active duty or reserves and are being called to the front lines. We pray for their safety and that they return safely to their loved ones. We want them to know that all of us at Ramah are thinking of them, praying for them and care deeply about them.

We know that some of our friends and/or their family members are missing or have been killed. May we find strength to comfort and support those who have lost so much through these terrible times.

I wish I could say something that would bring some solace or help with the terrible pain. Everyone on our year-round staff is available to campers, staff and our families if you want or need someone to talk to. Please just reach out to us.

I find I miss being together as a Ramah community in these times. During the summer I take mental pictures of meaningful moments at camp. For me, seudah shlishit singing is the time I feel most connected and supported by our community. One of my favorite songs, Al Kol Eleh by Naomi Shemer, is particularly poignant and I have been thinking a lot about it over the last couple of days.

Every bee that brings the honey
Needs a sting to be complete
And we all must learn to taste the bitter with the sweet.

Keep, oh Lord, the fire burning
Through the night and through the day
For the man who is returning
from so far away.

Chorus:
Don’t uproot what has been planted
So our bounty may increase
Let our dearest wish be granted:
Bring us peace, oh bring us peace.

For the sake of all these things, Lord,
Let your mercy be complete
Bless the sting and bless the honey
Bless the bitter and the sweet.

Save the houses that we live in
The small fences and the wall
From the sudden war-like thunder
May you save them all.

Guard what little I’ve been given
Guard the hill my child might climb
Let the fruit that’s yet to ripen
Not be plucked before its time.
Chorus:

As the wind makes rustling night sounds
And a star falls in its arc
All my dreams and my desires
Form crystal shapes out of the dark.

Guard for me, oh Lord, these treasures
All my friends keep safe and strong,
Guard the stillness, guard the weeping,
And above all, guard this song.

Chorus:
For the sake of all these things, Lord,
Let your mercy be complete
Bless the sting and bless the honey
Bless the bitter and the sweet.

Bless the sting and bless the honey
Bless the bitter and the sweet.

May God grant us success and protect our people and speedily bring the peace and security we yearn for.

Kol tuv,

Rabbi Ed Gelb (he/his), CEO
Ramah New England