Every election brings results that include outcomes we desired as well as those we hadn’t hoped for. I know, having already heard from members of our community, that this is the case for many of you. Some in our congregation are celebrating, while others are in mourning—sometimes even within the same household or extended family.
As a diverse community, our challenge in such moments is to find paths towards unity. Over the past year, as Am Yisrael has faced challenge after challenge, we have remained united in our love for Israel, our tradition, and one another.
My prayer for all of us is that we stay committed to the value of אחדות (achdut), unity and oneness, even when we disagree on important issues. May we always give each other the benefit of the doubt, remembering that each of our fellow community members—our friends, family, and loved ones—voted their conscience, inspired by what they believe to be best for our country and the Jewish People.
As we pray every Shabbat, may our newly elected leaders—each and every one—be guided by wisdom and patience so that they may govern us all with justice and compassion. And may we remain united always in our love for Torah, the values that guide us, and our love for one another.
—Rabbi Yoshi