Jewish professor blocked from entry at Columbia. Jewish students harassed at UCLA. Rabbi murdered in Dubai. Arson at Casa Grande Synagogue. Shooting at Jewish school in Toronto. Synagogue burned to the ground in Melbourne. Jewish student beaten in Dublin. Staten Island 7th grader knocked to the ground while antisemitic epithets spewed. Israeli soccer fans hunted through the streets of Amsterdam. Jewish backpacker assaulted in Chile. Candace Owens, Jackson Hinkle, Briahna Joy Gray and Medi Hassan, with millions of “followers”, are sharing blood libel after blood libel with very little pushback.

It seems like a scary, hateful, world.

Especially for the Jew.

Yet, today is Purim, a joyous day that reminds us that no matter what Haman plans, no matter how wicked the king and his advisors are, even when the antisemites think they have it in the bag and their “Jewish problem” is going away, the King of Kings orchestrates the Jewish people’s survival. It’s in those moments of uncertainty, that G-d asks us if we are going to be an Esther who enters the royal chambers unannounced despite the risk of execution, will we be a Mordechai who doesn’t bow or kneel to wicked Haman, and will we be like the Jews of that time, who -while at first were pretty assimilated and partying with the “Persians”- joined Mordechai and Esther in prayer and fasting, bringing about salvation.

But it’s not just Jews. There was Charvona.

When the king heard from Esther that Haman is the culprit trying to annihilate her people, it was Charvona, a gentile advisor to the king, who told the king about the gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordechai and recommended that the king use them to hang Haman. He had a “moment”, a choice to make, do I stand with the evil antisemites, or do I do my part to support the Jews when they are under attack. Today I am grateful to Van Jones, Douglas Murray, Erin Molan, Meghan McCain and Bill Maher for standing with the Jewish people in their time of distress.

We didn’t forget Charvona and we won’t forget you.‍

A Freilichen Purim!‍

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

It happened twice this week, I was requested to interact with individuals struggling with severe mental health challenges. It’s never easy; It’s so hard to see fellow human beings suffering, to see them question life itself, hoping and praying that their medical team finds a healing resource or some temporary relief. While mental/emotional health isn’t taboo anymore, it’s so important to recognize the magnitude of how it can affect a person’s functionality in their day to day. Our role isn’t to judge, but rather to be a healthy voice of appropriate guidance, a warm shoulder to lean on, and a place where they can be honest about their reality.

In this week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh, we read about the garments of the High Priest and how exquisite he looked in his royal garb. We tend to focus a lot on his merits, his special honors in Jewish life, but his designation came with immense responsibilities. More than the particulars of his service in the Holy Temple, he was tasked with representing all of Jewry, meaning that he had to feel the people, see the people, and acknowledge the people. The religious and secular, holy and unholy, stable and unstable, the easy going and the tough cookies; he represented them all. Leadership has some perks, no doubt, but as the Talmud says “Do you imagine that I am granting you authority? I am granting you servitude”. Being a leader means dealing daily with human fragility and so much pain.

I am inspired by doctors who lead departments in hospitals. I am amazed by EMT’s who show up so many times each week to help people in their hardest moments. I am grateful to the researchers who spend their lives devoted to finding understanding, and cures, for so many of the challenges. And yes, I am in awe of my fellow religious leaders who carry the burden of so many people in their most vulnerable moments. Yet, amid the painful times, I have a deep recognition that it’s a blessing to help alleviate someone else’s pain, even just a little, even just temporarily. It’s a Bracha to guide people to calmer seas and to have clarity for them when they can’t find their inner focus. I think about the High Priest a lot, I think about his immense role and the internal challenges he may have faced, and I am reminded that it’s always an honor to serve.

There is no holier experience than being there for a fellow in their time of need!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!