From Rabbi Craig Mayers
October/November 2019
Real heroes walk among us every day. These are the folks who run towards the danger instead of away from it. The folks who put the safety and welfare of others before their own with hardly a thought. I’m talking about our military men and women, first responders, and others responsible for our public safety. Jews are, and have always been, well-represented in these groups. And that’s not an accident or coincidence.
Real heroes walk among us every day. These are the folks who run towards the danger instead of away from it. The folks who put the safety and welfare of others before their own with hardly a thought. I’m talking about our military men and women, first responders, and others responsible for our public safety. Jews are, and have always been, well-represented in these groups. And that’s not an accident or coincidence.
For 350 years in America, Jews have given of themselves to protect and fight for our country. Over a million Jews have served in our military from colonial times to the present. They have been in every major skirmish, battle, war and expeditionary force action. In my family I have a brother and nephew who are both active duty in the Navy, and a sister-in-law Army veteran. I couldn’t be prouder of them for their service to our nation.
On the local level, Jews are represented in the arena of First Responders – police, fire, emergency medical and other support services. There are even volunteer Jewish groups like United Hatzolah and Shomrim which provide a faster response time than traditional emergency services can offer. In diverse places like Brooklyn, Australia, Los Angeles and Israel, United Hatzolah volunteers are standing by, and can often be on scene with life-saving equipment and knowledge in as little as 90 seconds! This, too, is no accident or coincidence.
Judaism places ultimate importance on saving lives – Jewish and other. Pikuach Nefesh, literally “saving a soul”, is a guiding principle of our people. Nearly any commandment can be overridden by the need to act to save a life. We are taught that we not only should do this, but that we have an obligation to protect all human life. It’s no wonder, then, that so many Jews are devoted to military service, emergency response and the medical fields as well. It’s in our very nature!
As we approach Veteran’s Day in the USA, I hope you will join me in a special salute to these Real Heroes on a very special night. Friday, November 8 will be our first-ever “Real Heroes Shabbat”, at which we will express our thanks to those in the Jewish community who serve and have served, thereby living the value of Pikuach Nefesh. One of our own congregants will be receiving several prestigious awards as well. Whether you are a veteran, active duty, first responder or someone who supports them, I hope to see you there!
L’shalom,
Rabbi Craig Mayers
L’shalom,
Rabbi Craig Mayers