Dear Lab/Shul Family,

What does this terrible war have to do with the biblical flood of Noah, its horrific cost of human life — and the hope that waits at the end of this saga?

Yuval Noah Harrari writes about the horrifying link to the flood story in this important read, published in yesterday’s Washington Post. I want to add another dimension to his grim read — a dimension of  hope.

“Over the Rainbow”, the iconic ballad, was first heard all over the world when The Wizard of Oz premiered in 1939. Created by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg and sung by Judy Garland it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

1939 was of course also the year that saw the beginning of World War II and the Holocaust.

Few knew then or know now but this iconic song was created by two Jewish artists with broken hearts and wild dreams for a better and safer Jewish future – maybe somewhere over the rainbow.

Yip Harburg, born Isidore Hochberg, was born in New York to Yiddish speaking Russian Jewish immigrants. Harold Arlen’s birth name was Hyman Arluck and his parents were originally from Lithuania.

“In composing it, both men reached deep into their consciousness as immigrant Jews framed by the pogroms of the past and wrote an unforgettable melody with almost prophetic words. Read the lyrics in their Jewish context and suddenly the words are no longer about wizards and Oz, but about the survival of the Jews” (read more about this history at Save the Music.)

Why am I writing about this song today? Because in synagogues this Shabbat we will be once again chanting and thinking about Noah’s ark and the fatal flood, witnessing the devastating destruction of civilization — that will be saved by one family, a floating zoo — and the world’s first rainbow. Before it became the beloved symbol of LGBTQ pride, the rainbow was the symbol for all that’s hopeful.

That ancient story and symbol meets today’s frontpage news.

This war between Israel and Hamas is a deluge of destruction, rupturing lives and families, destroying delicately built bridges and bonds between so many of us, threatening to drown out decency and the very dreams of future generations – in Israel, Palestine, and all over the world.

But as President Biden said in his epic speech during his historic visit to Israel two days ago – we must not lose hope of the path toward peace.

As we struggle with what’s going on and support in all the ways we can, we must also not lose sight of the dove on the far horizon flying with an olive branch in its mouth, along with bluebirds, somewhere, over the rainbow.  Come what may these next days and weeks or months of violence and terror – it’s on us to find the path that honors humanity, standing in solidarity with our suffering family and friends, and commit to non-violent resistance to all forms of tyranny and terror. We must hold on to the vision of peace.  As Harari writes, we must “Focus on the future. Let old injuries heal rather than serve as a cause for fresh injuries.”

Please check out the short video below that I posted today – linking the rainbow and Noah to the prophet Jeremiah and to what we need to hold on to hope.

Please also check out NEW NEEDS + VITAL WAYS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE. These are requests for funding that are close to my heart and I thank you on behalf of family and friends for your generosity.

This past week we gathered as a community to learn about how to better protect our bodies and soul at the first of my seven part HEIRLOOMS SERIES  (WATCH HERE), and also to share our thoughts and prayers with each other at our latest online gathering. In addition to these, some of us participated in protests, signed petitions, donated, got engaged in fierce debates and found ways to get informed and be as helpful as possible during this difficult and complicated time.

THANK YOU for showing up in all the ways you do.

To learn more, see more of my posts and videos from Israel (One of them was viewed over 700,000 times!) and donate to important causes that help save lives – please check out our special website HERE.

Please stay tuned for upcoming invitations for more ways to connect, support, hold each other up, and not lose hope.

May this Shabbat bring some solace and rest to all suffering.

May the rockets and bombing stop, the abducted come home safely, all wounded tended to with care and all mourners held with love.

May this flood subside soon so that rainbows can rise.

 

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie
Co-Founder & Spiritual Leader