July 4th: Remembering Entebbe
Dear Friends:
On this 4th of July weekend we have much to be grateful for as American Jews. The decisions made at the Continental Congress of 1776 changed the world and has had a deep and powerful effect on the Jewish People. Each time I walk into our sanctuary I marvel at the stained glass windows which celebrate the American experience. The thought of displaying the images of non-Jewish leaders in a synagogue would have been unthinkable in any other age. But here, those windows make a statement about the promise of America and the haven that it has represented to our people.
On this July 4th weekend we are also mindful of events in Israel and we mourn. Again, murder and mayhem have visited the streets of Jerusalem. A Palestinian man living in East Jerusalem, used heavy machinery as a weapon to kill people in his path. As a result, three people are dead: Goren-Friedman, 54, and Jean Raloy, 68 and Bat-Sheva Unterman 33. It should be noted that Bat-Sheva Unterman had recently had a baby after undergoing fertility treatments and was just returning from a pediatricians office. By standers pulled the baby from the car before she was killed with her mother!
On this July 4th weekend Israel prepares for an prisoner exchange with Hezbollah. Amongst those that Israel will release is a terrorist that murdered a family in cold blood. Israel is preparing to receive soldiers that were kidnapped from the border. Families who have waited for two years will find out this week if their loved ones, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev are still alive since the captors have refused to let them know their condition! The family of Ron Arad, an Israeli pilot captured a number of years ago, are also due to find out his fate. We pray that God will give the families the strength to face this difficult moment. We are also mindful that Gilad Schalit continues to be held by Hamas and hope for his release as well.
On this July 4th weekend we also remember Entebbe. A remarkable event where Israel acted in a daring raid and saved the passengers of a jetliner taken hostage in Uganda. This event is something that should not be forgotten. I have enclose a link to a remarkable retelling of the event as seen in the office of the Prime Minister by an eyewitness. I hope that you will be as moved and inspired by it as I was. May we remember Yoni Netanyahu and Dora Bloch and other heroic and innocent victims of that terrorist hijacking
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Michael S. Siegel