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From Joy to Terror: A Postcard from Jerusalem
Israeli police officers evacuate a family from a site hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon in southern Israel. (Tsafrir Abayov via AP)
We began the day singing in our synagogue. It ended with my son being called to war.
By Daniel Gordis
10.07.23 — International
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We gathered outside the local community center at 7:00 this morning to celebrate the last day of the High Holiday season. It’s a little known holiday called Shemini Atzeret, when we pray for rain, thank God for our bounty, and dance with Torah scrolls. 

The air had a touch of Jerusalem’s fall chill, so we were, perhaps, singing with a bit more gusto than…

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Daniel Gordis
Daniel Gordis is Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College & author of 13 books including the award-winning Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn. He blogs and podcasts at “Israel from the Inside” on Substack.
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