As Shabbat approaches - Shabbat HaGadol, the Sabbath before Pesach - we want to make sure that we are all aware of the latest information regarding our beloved State of Israel and our own domestic security.

As you have likely seen, there are reports of Israeli attacks on certain Iranian military installations in response to Iran’s massive attack on Israel last Shabbat. Israel does not officially claim responsibility for these attacks, but others, including the United States, have confirmed the source of the attacks. At this early stage, it does appear that Israel has accomplished the very difficult challenge of responding to the unprecedented attack from Iran without further escalating the conflict. Indications from senior Iranian officials also suggest that the Islamic Republic considers the incident over and will refrain from further retaliations. We pray for the safety of the Israeli Defense Forces and all our brothers and sisters in Israel.

As always, we are in constant contact with our security partners. All are closely tracking the events, and will of course provide updated information as the day goes on. For now, our colleagues at the Secure Community Network are continuing to recommend that organizations maintain the levels of security they have implemented, absent any specific direction provided to them otherwise. NY-CSI is noting the attack but is similarly not raising the threat levels to the very large Jewish community it serves, and our friends at ADL, who are tracking the internet closely, agree with this posture. We are grateful for the increasingly close collaboration among these expert agencies and the very prompt sharing of information. 

On Shabbat Hagadol, we read the famous words of the prophet Malachi:
 

הִנֵּ֤ה אָנֹכִי֙ שֹׁלֵ֣חַ לָכֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אֵלִיָּ֣ה הַנָּבִ֑יא לִפְנֵ֗י בּ֚וֹא י֣וֹם יְהֹוָ֔ה הַגָּד֖וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָֽא׃

וְהֵשִׁ֤יב לֵב־אָבוֹת֙ עַל־בָּנִ֔ים וְלֵ֥ב בָּנִ֖ים עַל־אֲבוֹתָ֑ם פֶּן־אָב֕וֹא וְהִכֵּיתִ֥י אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ חֵֽרֶם׃

Behold, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before the coming of the awesome, fearful day of GOD.

He shall reconcile parents with children and children with their parents. 

May this prophecy come true in our day!

Shabbat shalom