A Purim Message to the World

While Purim is a time for joy and celebration, it is also a time for serious reflection on the reality that there are people in every generation who seek to destroy and tear apart the sense of sacredness that we, people of good faith, see in one another, regardless of race, color, ethnicity or religion.

Hence, it is a difficult time for all people of good faith; people who believe in the fundamental principle of human decency and who acknowledge the many paths to the Eternal Source of all Being who brings forth life.  To see such a horrific response to this fundamental principle in a House of Worship as occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand at the Al Noor Mosque, is perhaps the greatest desecration of God’s name as well as a crime against humanity, if not genocide based on the definition of The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

This most recent tragedy is a continuation of these crimes that occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh (Jewish People), the Emmanuel Episcopal African American Church in Charleston (Black), the Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.  In each instance the perpetrator(s) of these heinous acts appear have expressed their intent to murder these individuals for motives related to either, race, religion, and/or ethnicity. 

Our hearts, our prayers, however inadequate, go out to those families and friends who lost loved ones in these events.

May we resolve to continue our unconditional support and love for a humanity that sees itself as created in the Divine image and likeness.  May all of us be ambassadors of Sinai’s message as expressed by the Prophet Micah:

What is it that God seeks of humankind? Only that we do justice, embrace acts of loving-kindness, and to walk humbly before thy God. 

May God bestow peace and comfort for the families and friends who now mourn the loss of those whom they so deeply love.  

Welcome to Mt Sinai Congregation

Your Jewish Home in the Northwoods

Located in Wausau

Serving the Jewish Community of North Central Wisconsin: Wausau, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Merrill, Wisconsin Rapids, Antigo, Rhinelander, Minocqua, and the Northwoods.