A Message from Dan Puchalla
Dear friends,
This new war between Israel and Hamas erupted shockingly into our lives on Saturday. These events wound our hearts and souls, not only because of the horrific images and reports on the news, but also because we at St. Gregory’s are inextricably tied to the large and vibrant Jewish community in Deerfield and the North Shore. Many of us are only a step or two away from family, friends, coworkers, and classmates who are directly affected by the violence and terror of this conflict.
I have written to express prayers and sympathies to Rabbi Philip Sherman at BJBE, Rabbi Jeremy Fine at Bnai Tikvah, Rabbi Jodi Kornfeld at Beth Chaverim (which has classes in our building on Sundays), as well as to Imam Hazim Fazlic at the Islamic Cultural Center of Greater Chicago. In moments like these, when the forces of sin would tear us apart, we must remember all the more that God has called us to a common mission of peace, shalom, salaam for all peoples. I encourage you likewise to reach out to those you know whose loved ones are caught in the war zone.
I also encourage you to tend to your own feelings of anger, fear, sadness, and desperation. These are all appropriate to these trying times. If you or anyone in your household is impacted by this war, to whatever degree, please know that I am here for you. I especially invite parents to check-in with their children, and to lean on me for any support in dealing with this crisis.
Please email or call me to set up a time to talk:
[email protected] | (847) 929-9986.
This Sunday, we will pray for peace in the Middle East, for the victims of violence in Israel and Gaza, and for wisdom and justice to prevail in this seemingly endless conflict. Prayer is what we do when we don’t know what else we can do. Prayer is a small step forward into the shadows, asking and trusting that God will illumine the next step.
With gratitude and blessings,
Dan Puchalla
Priest-in-Charge