Dear all,
Our Torah teaches that Moses, the great leader of the Israelites, was reluctant when God first called upon him to free the Hebrew slaves. “Who am I to go to Pharaoh?” (Ex. 3:11).
But Moses, along with his brother, Aaron, eventually set in motion the cataclysmic message, “Let my people go!” (Ex. 5:1).
This past weekend, the Confirmation Class of Temple Akiba journeyed to Washington D.C. where we joined with 200 Reform Jewish teens from all over the United States. We studied important issues facing our country, and we learned that each of us has the responsibility to be a Moses and an Aaron, raising our voices, speaking truth to power. We then lobbied before our elected officials (Senators and Congress members).
Our 10th graders spoke about Israel, Gun Violence, and Immigration. They shared personal stories as well as Jewish text. They researched where their officials stood on the issues. And they asked the officials to consider co-signing bills.
This was their moment in time to learn that just as Moses was empowered to go before the leader of his day, we do the same in our day. No matter the administration. No matter the political party. Our voices matter, and we should never allow indifference to stand in the way of truth.
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
