A Message from Rabbi Bellows

October 12, 2025 /20 Tishrei 5786

Dear Friends,

As I write this message early Friday morning, October 10, it is with great hope and anticipation that tonight, will be the last night we will recite our prayer for the release of the hostages! With cautious optimism, I join you in hope and prayer for the release of all our hostages very, very soon, (hopefully by the time this note is sent on Sunday morning.)

I found Rabbi Josh Weinberg email about ending the war and this hopeful moment, inspiring and on-point. His message concludes:

As we enter Shabbat and Simchat Torah, let us hope and pray that this deal sticks and that we can all breathe a sigh of relief. And now we can bring back hope and rise together.

כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה ק֣וֹל בְּרָמָ֤ה נִשְׁמָע֙ נְהִי֙ בְּכִ֣י תַמְרוּרִ֔ים

רָחֵ֖ל מְבַכָּ֣ה עַל־בָּנֶ֑יהָ מֵאֲנָ֛ה לְהִנָּחֵ֥ם עַל־בָּנֶ֖יהָ כִּ֥י אֵינֶֽנּוּ׃ (ירמיהו לא:טו)

Thus said GOD:

A cry is heard in Ramah—

Wailing, bitter weeping—

Rachel weeping for her children.

She refuses to be comforted

For her children, who are gone. (Jeremiah 31:15)

May we truly rejoice at this time of Sukkot, Zman Simchatainu, Season of Rejoicing. May we dance with the Torahs in great relief that our hostages are finally, finally home.

Blessings,

Rabbi Bellows