Posted on July 25, 2025 by Rabbi Noah Diamondstein
Dear Temple Beth-El,
Yesterday, after many hours of testimony, the New Jersey General Assembly State and Local Government Committee voted in favor of advancing A3558—a bill adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. If the bill is ultimately signed into law New Jersey will become the 38th* (*a correction from my previous message) state in the U.S. to adopt this definition. Its passage is critical for helping lawmakers, law enforcement, and public schools to accurately identify antisemitism and ultimately address it properly and effectively. This is a victory worth celebrating! I was in favor of the bill and gave testimony in support of it. You can read my full written remarks here.
While I somewhat expected it, I was shocked to see the behavior in the room yesterday, from both the opposition to the bill and its proponents. Some of the most vile antisemitism I have heard in a long time, and some of the most callous immorality and even racism, was given voice in that space by Jews and non-Jews alike. My heart broke again and again.
I wanted to share with you an article entitled “Matot, Morality, and the Madness of War” written by Rabbi Josh Weinberg, the Executive Director of ARZA, the URJ’s Israel Arm. In this important and wise piece, Rabbi Weinberg reminds us that the Torah is not always here as a source of comfort. Sometimes, Torah is a powerful reminder of what is broken in the world and what is at stake in times of violence, hate, and war. Reflecting on a violent episode recorded in Parasat Matot, he writes:
“If these ancient Torah verses disturb us — as they should — perhaps their message should be about confronting the moral and human costs of warfare and violence. Moses is not modeling an ideal; he is laying bare the tormenting decisions that arise when ideology meets war. We must do the same when we speak about the unspeakable starvation and senseless killing that is happening in Gaza. Grieve the deaths. Question the policies. Demand restraint, accountability, and ultimately end the war. But do not reach for metaphors that erase nuance and obscure absolute, human horror on all sides.”
Read Rabbi Weinberg’s full article here.
Av is a month that brings us our most painful day: Tisha B’Av, a fast day reminding us of the baseless hatred between us that contributed to the ultimate downfall and destruction of our people. This Shabbat and always, may we live up to the highest ideals of our people, rather than sinking to our lowest common denominators. Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Noah Diamondstein
