There is a sign on the lawn of a synagogue that isn’t going to be seen by nearly enough Jewish people.
On the front lawn of the old Shaarei Tfiloh Synagogue adjacent to Druid Hill Park sits the sign, “Pray for the children of Ashelon and Sderot, Israel who are bombarded daily by terrorists.”
The sign was the idea of Rabbi David Herman.
While we rightly celebrate the notion of a sister city arrangement between Baltimore and Ashkelon, we need as Jews to take seriously the day-go-day terror the citizens of these towns face. Indeed, a Baltimore contingent to Ashkelon recently helped build a playground. It was an amazing day creating many friendships and wonderful memories.
But the terrorists hardly care. In fact, I am not so convinced that many of our friends and neighbors here in Baltimore really understand or care.
Imagine you had to go to work every day wondering if you were ever going to see your loved ones, your house or your street again, because missiles were being launched from Pennsylvania into Maryland. The problem is, it’s not as far as Pennsylvania into Maryland, it’s more like Reisterstown into Pikesville.
It’s got to stop.
And guess what, people with names like Hillary, Obama and McCain are going to be making all sorts of promises in the coming weeks and months.
Rabbi Herman’s sign needs to be duplicated and placed on the front lawns of synagogues all over the Jewish community.
In the meantime, every effort we can make as citizens to get the United States government to help Israel make these missile attacks stop, should be made.
Finally, I am tired of reading descriptions of the people firing these missiles as terrorists or insurgents or militants. They are soldiers.  They are firing artillery. They just don’t wear olive uniforms with ranking chevrons and medals.
They wear kafias and use hard to detect rocket launchers. But they the enemy. And they don’t care how hard Baltimore worked to build a playground in Ashkelon. If they could, they’d blow up that playground.
Put up Rabbi Herman’s sign.
Tell your politicians that this is a high priority for you.
Wake up.

Rabbi Herman deserves our praise and admiration. There are many who ” talk the talk.” Rabbi Herman knows that you must also ” walk the walk.”
Now is a time for outspoken actions! May his example inspire others.
I, too, wouls like to see a picture of the sign.
Rabbi Simcha Freedman

Thank you Rabbi Herman for speaking out to people in Baltimore.  We need to pray for the people in Sderot.  They have been left to alone by the leaders of our community and their country.  I would like to see the sign posted on this blog.  We need more great Rabbis like Rabbi Herman who are not afraid speak openly and care about the Jewish people.