This Year, Stop Kvetching and Start Kvelling

I attended services at Chabad of North Fulton again this year and Rabbi Minkowicz never ceases to inspire me. This year, he began by explaining to us that as he spoke to others about this year’s sermon, he was floored by the concern and negativity, Oy. Antisemitism is rampant, the war Hamas started on Oct. 7 is now beginning its third year, hostages still remain, hate, hate crimes and vandalism are all markedly up and the antipathy for Israel does not seem to stop growing. A tremendous amount of fuel for this year’s dialogue (more Oy).

But, my rabbi thought, this is not what I want to pontificate about when I have my once-a-year opportunity to speak more closely with the largest part of my congregation. This is not the message I want to proliferate; this is not what this past year represented to me and this is not what I believe G-d wants me to focus upon. So, with new eyes, my rabbi looked at the last year and saw something very different.

What Rabbi Minkowicz saw was a resurgence of Jewish pride, a resurgence of support for Israel, a strengthening of the bonds within our community and with Jewish organizations that support our community and Israel. Rabbi Minkowicz suggested we add a little Judaism to our Oy and this year, make it Joy. Stop kvetching for what has happened and start kvelling about our response. Look at what Israel has accomplished under duress. Look at our response to the wave of antisemitic behavior. Look at how we, as Jews, are closer today and more proud of our heritage today than we were a year ago. Look at how much more we are doing to stand up for what we believe as others feel the need to increasingly berate us.

I left the synagogue a very proud Jew. I left with a new perspective. Yes, we must report on the atrocities that are occurring around the world and within our community. But we must also see the heroism in those that stand up to this blind hatred. We must see the heroism in ourselves and the pride that is growing within ourselves and the community. I am not denying that there is more Oy today than last year, but there is Joy, too, let’s make it more Joy this year than last year.

One last thought my rabbi offered. Oct. 7 occurred on Simchas Torah in 2023. This is one of the happiest celebrations on the Jewish calendar. We celebrate a gift rather than acknowledging something solemn. Hamas may have had many reasons for choosing this date, but one thing is now clear. Simchas Torah has a wound on it, a stain. Let’s clean this wound and remove this stain. Let’s celebrate even more this year and show the world that terrorism will not win, not today. I do not always take part in Simchas Torah celebrations, but I am going to this year. I am going to let my Jewish pride get the best of me and celebrate being Jewish with my community. I want Hamas and all the terrorists in the world to know they have not dampened my spirit and pride, and they to should consider more celebrating and less killing.