Please join us on Zoom for "Faith Under Fire: Inspiration and updates from Rabbi Shalom in Israel." -- From History to Headlines. Prophets once whispered what we now witness. Join Rabbi Shalom live from Israel to uncover the truth of our times.
Please RSVP (link at the bottom of this email) ZOOM INFO: Topic: Faith under Fire: Inspiration and updates from Rabbi Shalom in Israel Time: Jun 23, 2025 09:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86872611698?pwd=WeTL49nRdaRXvMbD8AVaXnwxM933AE.1
I’m writing to you from the Holy Land, with so much love and strength pulsing through my heart and out to each of you. Despite the fire and sirens, despite the rockets overhead, there is deep emunah (faith) stirring within. In the shelters, we are singing. In the moments of tension, we are dancing. The Jewish spirit isn't breaking—it's burning brighter.
To walk this land again is such a blessing. To dip in its springs, to breathe the air of Tzfat, to wander the ancient alleys and sun-kissed hills—it is a taste of eternity. There is a magic here, a radiant goodness that this land is waiting for us to acknowledge, to speak about, to love and love out loud.
This week’s Parsha, Shelach, reminds us of a grave mistake that is more relevant than ever—the sin of the spies. The twelve spies were sent to scout the Land of Israel before our ancestors entered it. Ten of them saw only obstacles. They saw giants and danger. They return terrified. "We were like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and in theirs." Armed with a rational analysis, but no faith. They saw giants and forgot the Giant within. They saw walls and forgot the One who breaks them. They called it realism, but it was a betrayal of hope. They saw themselves as grasshoppers, and the world mirrored their view.
We must not repeat this.
Let us be like Yehoshua and Kalev—those who held the secret of inner vision. They didn’t just look—they felt. They sensed the holiness, the purpose, the divine invitation embedded in the stones of this land. They remembered who we are.
We must believein ourselves, in our people, in the mighty light of Am Yisrael. We must speak positively about our land. Highlight her beauty. Praise her righteousness. Tell of the sunrise over Masada, of the waterfalls of Ein Gedi, of magical Jerusalem nights. Tell of her waters and olive groves, her ancient stories and modern miracles. Tell of her wisdom, her kindness, her holiness.
Let us rise🦁 in these epic times.
Let us speak words that awaken light. Let us see through eyes that remember truth. Let us love this land, our people, and our purpose with unwavering joy.
L’chayim to vision. L’chayim to goodness. L’chayim to redemption unfolding.
With an overflowing heart, Rabbi Shalom From Eretz Yisrael, with love 💫
From Rabbi Chaitovsky: Following Israel's pre-emptive strike against Iran, I reached out to our new Rabbi for Youth and Family Engagement, Reb Shalom, who flew to Israel with his family on Monday night. They're all safe and sound but like everyone else in Israel, are on pins and needles. He wrote the following which he asked me to share with everyone. Sha'alu sh'lom Yerushalayim. Let us all pray for peace in Jerusalem, in Tel Aviv, in Haifa...in ALL of Israel! Here are Reb Shalom's words:
Dear family,
Shalom here. Standing on the banks of the kinneret, feeling the holiness of this land, and the sadness that there are those that seek to destroy it.
Tonight we celebrated the wedding of my dear cousin by the waters of the Galilee. What joy, what prayer and depth. What a TRIBE!
Then the siren blared across the early morning air, as remnants of the wedding were still singing around the fire and dipping in the water. The people with a calm resolve arose and began their unfortunately too well-known ritual. Check on family, gather supplies, get ready for the message to go to the shelter, perhaps try to get some shuteye before.
Yet in the space between the joy of union and the sad reality of war, there is a deep truth.
The bride and groom believe in a beautiful world. A beautiful future. We all came to celebrate it. We all believe in it. We trust and know that we are in the best hands. Hashem loves us and will protect his Holy Nation. The eternal people believe that the eternal God will bring a time of eternal good.
This is a battle between the forces of light and life and those that are consumed with darkness and death. The smallest candle lights the whole room. Our radiant people will light up the whole world. Darkness flees before the light.
It is significant that today's date is 6/13. Try to strengthen one of the 613 mitzvot. Welcoming guests, honoring shabbat, giving more charity. Let's show Hashem we care about our relationship with him. Let's take our place as the nation who brings the light and might of Hashem to the world.
Pray that our forces cut off the head of the snake. Pray that the true Persians will arise and reclaim their country from the evil dictatorship of today.
Pray for the safety of our Am Yisrael. Pray that days of peace shine bright and soon.
Going to bed with hope for a day off revealed blessings and miracles.
Bnei Yisrael Chai Chazak chazak Reb Shalom
BMH-BJ Congregation 560 S. Monaco Pkwy Denver, CO 80224
