Rabbi Arthur Weiner

There is a story about a world-famous musician, riding in a taxi in New York City, telling the driver about his career. The driver said to the musician, “I would give anything to be able to play a musical instrument like you.” To which the musician replied, “would you be willing to give six hours a day?” There are many versions of this story but the message is always the same.   Good intentions don’t achieve goals. Only hard work and constant effort will accomplish them. In the aftermath of the massive National Rally for Israel last week, many have been asking: what’s next? What should we do now to help Israel? Certainly, we need to stay informed, and continue to donate to the many outstanding organizations that are doing such amazing work in Israel. What else can we do? The answer is clear. We must do a better job of connecting regularly with our elected officials, and explaining that we are part of the pro-Israel community and we vote.   They both want and need to he...

I, along with other members of the JCCP/CBT and between 200,000 and 300,000 others gathered in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to participate in the National Rally for Israel. I know that many of those who are reading this Shabbat message have read about the accounts of this massive event. It is being called the largest pro-Israel rally ever. I know that many of you were able to livestream some or all of the rally, and hear the speakers and entertainers. I would like to share with three observations which might not have been evident through a computer, television screen or news reports about this event. 1. Never again.   We are fond of saying "never again" when it comes to standing up to those who would harm us. But "never again" requires organization, logistics, teamwork and cooperation. I was on one of the dozens of buses organized by our local Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. With only about 8 or 9 days to prepare, the Jewish Federations of North A...

There has been a great deal of talk in recent days regarding the need for a “humanitarian pause” or a short-term cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. It’s been in the news each night this week, with accounts of intense negotiations between the United States, Israel, and Qatar (representing Hamas) to achieve some type of temporary cessation of hostilities in exchange for the release of a small number of hostages.     It sounds so reasonable, and so necessary. But it’s a bad idea. It would be a strategic mistake of historic proportions, unless, of course your goal is to prop up Hamas.   Israel is both correct and wise to categorically reject such calls at this time. As I write this Shabbat message, Israel is on the offensive in Gaza. Whatever the military, diplomatic, and intelligence failures that preceded the unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, Israel is now mobilized for war and achieving its short-term objectives. A pause now would only provide H...