The loss of thousands of lives in the war between Israel and Palestine and the resulting increase of antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world weigh heavily on Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein, who leads Elgin’s Congregation Kneseth Israel.
It’s especially difficult as Tisha B’av, a day of mourning in the Jewish faith, approaches, she says.
“Often I wonder what meaning Tisha B’av has in the modern world,” Klein said. “Every year something happens that reminds me it is still relevant. Painfully. Sadly. This year, more than most, is no exception.”
Tisha B’av is a day of fasting and communal mourning over the destruction of the first and second Jewish temples 2,000 years ago, she said. Both were the result of senseless hatred, she said.
The congregation will do a traditional reading and chanting of the book of Lamentations at 8 p.m. Monday in person and on Zoom. The chanting describes the siege and destruction of the holy temples.
With the holy day continuing Tuesday, Klein is asking congregation families to use it as a day of service. Any simple act — tending the congregation’s community garden, picking up litter, packing school supplies, delivering food to shut-ins or visiting someone in the hospital — makes the world a better place, she said.
“They are acts of ‘ahavat chinam,’ acts of senseless love. They are acts of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world,” she said.
This year, there is a deeper sense of mourning over everything that is happening in the world, Klein said. The rise in antisemitism has caused members to worry about safety and security has been increased. Things continue to get worse as more innocent people die on both sides, she said.
The war reminds her of a sandbox, she said.
“If I hit you, you’re going to hit me. Then I’m going to hit you harder. Then I’m going to get mama and you’re going to get daddy and soon the whole sandbox is fighting. What is the end game?”
Longtime congregation member Risa Cohen said she will answer Klein’s call to action by joining others at the synagogue in writing write postcards that encourage people to vote and helping withother projects.
“I do these kinds of stuff all the time but having a day devoted as a day of service is great,” Cohen said.
It’s impossible to control everything that’s happening in the world, she said. “All you can do is try to influence them,” she said. “For me, being part of the community is an influence for good.”
Klein said one member is giving blood, another is donating goods and services, and others are packing school supplies being donated to the Community Crisis Center.
“This is a scary time,” Klein said. “I don’t like being powerless. … We are not going to make the whole world better in one day. But we’re not going to ignore the obligation to try.”
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
