In sorrow and solidarity

After two years and two days of devastating war, Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire, the return of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and an increase in humanitarian aid in Gaza. Los Angeles Rabbi Sharon Brous shares thoughts on moral integrity and moving forward.

Ha’azinu 5786 / 10.4.2025 As we move from the peak experiences of the High Holy Days into Sukkot, how will we gather in our joy? What practices can we adopt for Sukkot, whether or not we are able to build a Sukkah? And what role does this joy have to play in our experience of Sukkot and beyond?

I turned to King David and the Prophet Natan to learn how to fight fascism. I learned something much deeper and more sustaining for our time. Thumbnail background credit: Painting by Carole Silverstein Detail of “in the incense is tangled a cool moon” 58 x 42.5 inches framed), Acrylic Ink on Mylar, 2024 www.carolesilverstein.com

As we shared on the morning of Rosh Hashanah, Marta Kauffman, our beloved Board Vice Chair, has made a capital campaign gift of $25 million to IKAR. This stunning act of generosity has come at a pivotal moment in our campaign. Thanks to this gift, we are now very close to realizing our vision for our home– a center for Jewish life that is infused with creativity, belonging, and sacred purpose. A space rooted in love, justice, and defiant hope… and a powerful, tangible countertestimony to the divisive and dispiriting tides of our time. Our friend, the visionary Rabbi Uri Herscher, once said of IKAR: “You have written the most beautiful love letter—now you need an envelope to deliver it to the world.” Marta’s transformational gift – together with the generosity of so many of you – will allow us to build that envelope, ensuring that the spirit and values of our remarkable community will endure for generations. We are deeply moved that Marta will dedicate the campus to the memory of her beloved parents, Dorothy and Herman, who cared deeply about the Jewish people and the Jewish future. Marta built her career bringing laughter and joy to millions through storytelling. Her stories are always rooted in love, in friendship, in the possibility and hilarity of ordinary life. The IKAR Center will be imbued with that same humanity and generosity of spirit. In a time of such pain and uncertainty, building our home is a sacred act of resistance: putting a stake in the ground for joy, for community, and for Jewish life that is vibrant, loving, hopeful, and just. We’re gearing up now for the community phase of our campaign which we will begin in earnest next year and we hope to have each and every one of you involved. In the meantime please visit our website to learn more: https://ikar.org/the-ikar-center/. With profound thanks and abundant joy– Rabbi Sharon Brous & Melissa Balaban