The Adams Street Shul

(Rabbi Weinberg sent us the following article while he was in Israel for the celebration of his grandson’s Bar Mitzvah)

It is Thursday, May 1 – Yom Hashoah. A short while ago, I stood at the Kotel with my daughter. At exactly 10:00 A.M., sirens sounded throughout Israel. No one moved – not a sound was heard. Cars stopped on the streets. People in buses stood.

For two minutes, the martyrs of the Holocaust were remembered. The souls of our six million brothers and sisters stood next to us. I considered it to be a great and meaningful privilege to be sanding at this sacred spot at this moment.

The previous night, the huge auditorium in Efrat, Israel was filled to capacity as a somber program unfolded. Testimony was given by survivors, the memorial prayer was chanted and Kaddish was recited. As the program ended with the singing of Hatikvah, it meant a great deal to me that I was among my family. My grandson, Yair, was standing next to me. In his role of being responsible for the security of his neighborhood, he must wear his rifle at all times. He is a gentle and loving person. However, I would strongly advise anyone intent on harming our people not to be on the wrong side of his gun.

Next Wednesday will be Yom Hazikaron – Memorial Day for the soldiers of the Israel Defense forces who made the supreme sacrifice to defend our land from its hostile neighbors. Israeli flags are waving everywhere and smaller flags are flapping from the windows of cars. All Efrat will gather on a huge field on the eve of Independence Day. As the sun will set and darkness will descend, a magic moment will overtake the country. All the flags at half-mast will be hoisted and the Hatikvah will be heard throughout the land. Music, dancing, prayers and joy will mingle with hope and faith for a safe and secure future.

“Am Yisrael Chai!”

Rabbi Norbert Weinberg

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