“וַיִּצְעַק צְעָקָה גְּדֹלָה וּמָרָה עַד מְאֹד” — “Esau cried an exceedingly great and bitter cry.” (Genesis 27:34) Rashi notes: “He cried with three tears — one from each eye and one that hung.” Even Esau’s pain — the anguish of someone who has been wronged — must be acknowledged. The Midrash Tanchuma explains: “Because of that cry, Jacob’s descendants would one day hear the cry of oppression.” Every act of injustice reverberates across generations. And yet, hearing that cry does not mean abandoning moral clarity. It is precisely the courage to listen with compassion — to recognize suffering wherever it occurs — that allows us to bless the future. In our own time, bearing witness demands both justice and empathy: we must honor the pain of victims while standing firmly for what is right. Compassion and moral clarity are not opposites; they are partners in shaping a world where cries for justice are heard and heeded. Mark your calendars: Finish Strong is Back Shabbat mornings after services and after lunch. Finish Strong, our after-services, after-kiddush discussion on “hot topics.” It is a wonderful way for those who want to linger after services (and even those “JFKers” — Just for Kiddush) to engage in lively, open, and respectful discussion about the world around us.
Thanksgiving Interfaith Service Monday, November 24⋅7:00 – 9:00pm (it is important we attend to show we are part of the community of faith) at Aldersgate Church in Dobbs Ferry - 600 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
New Series The Enigma of Isaac: Between Sacrifice and Serenity Wednesdays, December 3–24 at 8:00 PM on Zoom Isaac is the quietest of the patriarchs—and perhaps the most mysterious. Overshadowed by his father Abraham and his son Jacob, Isaac’s story is one of endurance, faith, and the quiet strength that sustains a people between generations. In this four-part course, we’ll explore Isaac’s life from the Binding to his final blessings, uncovering the spiritual power of restraint, the meaning of inherited trauma, and the sacred art of continuity.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
