By Lori Snow, WLCJ Vice President and Torah Fund International Chair
This week’s Torah portion is Toldot, meaning “generations” or “descendants.” Rebecca and Isaac have twins: the smooth-skinned Jacob and the hairy Esau. The narrative describes the brother’s contrasts—Esau (Isaac’s favorite) grows to be a skilled hunter and outdoorsman while Jacob ( Rebecca’s favorite) becomes a quiet man who lives in tents. The parashah further explains the family conflict with Isaac passing off his wife Rebecca as his sister, and the sons’ struggle for blessings and birthright.
These family dynamics of parental favoritism and sibling rivalry contrast sharply with Torah Fund’s 2025-2026 campaign theme. Oseh Shalom, “Maker of Peace,” suggests we actively work for peace in our lives and our families (as well as in our communities and in Israel).
Many prayers contain the words that have become our 2025-2026 theme. These words from the Book of Job conclude several memorable prayers such as Birkat Hamazon, Kaddish, and the Amidah. The words were even set to music; The beloved tune we all know was composed by Israeli musician Nurit Hirsch in 1969. But have you ever really thought about the prayer’s meaning?
Beyond being a petition to God, Oseh Shalom suggests we actively work for peace in our lives, our communities, and for the state of Israel. In challenging times, a positive perspective encourages action rather than passive despair. Ways to work toward peace include using empathy to see the “divine spark” in others and building bridges to seek common ground and understanding. We can find personal peace by creating a sense of calm, comforting the bereaved, and accepting help from others so they feel the joy in doing good, and then bring healing to themselves.
The key word—shalom—commonly translated as “peace” brings to mind the absence of conflict and war. But in the Torah, and in modern conversational Hebrew, shalom’s root shin-lamed-mem (שׁ-ל-ם) generally refers to personal wholeness, peace, and well-being. When we feel tranquil, we are open to wishing that state of mind on others.
With Torah Fund, we have the special opportunity to support our students at the five world-wide Conservative/Masorti institutes of higher Jewish learning. Your caring donation provides scholarships and programming to train our future clergy, educators, scholars, and lay leaders to keep advancing the cause of shalom. Every donation supports the continuation of our movement, and we thank you for your support.
Oseh Shalom reminds us that peace is possible, even in difficult times. May the One who creates peace help you realize your peace, and peace for those you love, for Israel and for all people.
Shabbat Shalom,
Lori Snow
WLCJ Vice President and Torah Fund International Chair
lsnow@wlcj.org
