‘A Voice Says: Cry Out! And I Say:
What Shall I Cry?’ (Isaiah 40:6)

With the discovery of the bodies of the three kidnapped and murdered students, Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach, we are left numb. Grief, anger, sadness, disappointment and hopelessness have all converged in our hearts and souls.

We, their extended family in the House of Israel, mourn their loss.

How filled with anger we are at the realization that these tragic deaths came at the hands of those who would do anything to impede the forces of peace. The murderers’ hands are bloodied, not just with the blood of these innocent young men, but with the shattered hopes of those in Israel and the Palestinian community who wish only for peace to reign throughout the land.

The World Union for Progressive Judaism joins all of Israel and those who seek peace within her borders and with her neighbors, in offering prayers of comfort to the grieving families of Gilad, Naftali and Eyal.

We vow to continue to support the efforts of all those who are working for peace.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that we have been called upon to bring comfort:
נחמו נחמו עמי
“Comfort My people, Comfort them.” (Isaiah 40:1)
And so, we hold the memories of these three young men in our warm embrace, and resolve that we will not allow the terrorists to achieve their goal of destroying the dream that will, speedily and soon, lead to peace in the land.

Rabbi Daniel H Freelander                               Michael Grabiner
President-Elect                                                    Chairman