STLRCA asks for community’s support
As we near the celebration of Passover, we thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you and for helping our community thrive.
The St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association (STLRCA) is the only clergy organization in the greater St. Louis area open to rabbis and cantors from all branches of Judaism. STLRCA members are Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and non-denominational, and we serve our community in congregations, organizations, hospitals, universities and more.
As examples of our community support, we:
• Provide a weekly D’var Torah in the St. Louis Jewish Light.
• Teach at Jewish community educational and cultural events.
• Create community dialogue on critical issues including religious freedom, equal rights and Israel.
• Participate in interfaith and interracial dialogue, representing the Jewish community to the broader community throughout the region.
• Offer a forum for clergy to discuss and act on community issues.
• Support our clergy by offering a place for collegiality and professional development.
The STLRCA is also actively involved in tzedakah throughout the community. Each year during Passover we recall our own people’s experiences of hardship and servitude in Egypt. The Exodus story calls us to remember others in our own midst who suffer and to work for their redemption as well. With the lessons of Pesach in mind, the STLRCA is proud to be a co-sponsor of the Rabbi Robert P. Jacobs Jewish Fund for Human Needs (JFHN).
JFHN supports small St. Louis area non-profits that provide direct services to those in need of food, housing, health care, education, employment, and other essential human needs. Along with our co-sponsor, the Jewish Community Relations Council, we care for our neighbors and affirm the Jewish community’s commitment to providing for the basic needs of our neighbors.
The St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association is vital to the ongoing health and vibrancy of the St. Louis Jewish community. We ask for your support for the important work of the STLRCA and, through us, the JFHN, to keep us and our community strong and thriving!
To make a tax-deductible gift, you can contribute securely online via Paypal at www.paypal.com/givenow (enter STLRCA in the search box) or send a check made out to “STLRCA” to St. Louis Rabbinical & Cantorial Association, P.O. Box 410792, St. Louis, Mo. 63141.
On behalf of the entire STLRCA, best wishes for a Sweet Passover and thank you for your continued generosity.
The Rabbis and Cantors of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association
Responding to recent letter
In a March 20 letter to the editor, Roger Lewis states that Israel must “end aerial bombing and use of large-scale weaponry in Gaza while encouraging the flow of food and medicine into Gaza.” Unfortunately, Israel must use bombs, but their damage is limited through computer modeling and dive-bombing. By altering the angle and the depth that the bomb explodes, bombs can be more precise. However, no matter how careful Israel tries to be, civilians will be killed and wounded in a war. To minimize this, Israel warns civilians of impending attacks. This sacrifices the element of surprise. Safe zones and maps are also used to help civilians avoid danger.
Israel has also supplied food, water, and medicine to Gazans. To my knowledge, an army has never done this for an enemy’s civilian population. The truth is that Israel takes better care of Gazan civilians than Hamas does. There are reports of Hamas and armed civilians seizing aid meant for civilians as well as reports of terrorists killing civilians attempting to evacuate danger zones.
Mostly, Israel’s conduct during this war has been good. During a war, mistakes will be made. This terrible war could end immediately with the release of the hostages and the surrender of Hamas. It is sad that this will not happen. Releasing the hostages without Israel releasing highly dangerous terrorists is not likely to happen, nor will Hamas surrender those responsible for Oct. 7.
David Goldmeier
St. Louis
No easy answers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a very difficult decision to make. He can agree to a cease-fire with Hamas in the hope that the remaining hostages be freed, or continue his relentless fight to annihilate every last member of the Palestinian terrorist group.
Netanyahu must also consider the thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children, who have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, together with the tens of thousands of civilians who are starving because of the lack of humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, Israel’s actions may be contributing to the ever-increasing wave of antisemitism and anti-Israeli attitudes that are permeating the world’s stage.
I can sympathize with Netanyahu’s plight, and whatever decision he makes is certain to be met with criticism from both sides.
I’m a staunch supporter of the prime minister, but feel he is in the proverbial position of “being between a rock and a hard place.” That said, the world is waiting with bated breath for Netanyahu to make his all-important decision.
Gene Carton
St. Louis County
