Shavuot – Moral Clarity, and the Legacy of Kindness

As Shavuot approaches, our thoughts turn not only to the giving of the Torah and the Ten Commandments but also to the pressing moral questions of our time.

This year, our hearts are heavy with the memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim—two staffers at the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, brutally murdered in cold blood in the capital of Western democracy. We are also anguished by the 58 hostages still held by Hamas, while a ceasefire agreement is being tabled that does not guarantee their return.

To this, we add the daily missile attacks from the Houthis in Yemen, disrupting lives and prompting airlines to cancel flights to and from Israel. Where is the UN resolution condemning this? Meanwhile, Israel continues to battle both Hezbollah and Hamas, who seek to reposition themselves. And amidst all this, there is virtually no media coverage of the war and death in Sudan.

And yet, despite all of this, something remarkable is unfolding:

“Did you know that in the past 600 days nearly 35,000 rockets and missiles were launched towards Israel—not including mortar shells and anti-tank missiles? 97% of these were intercepted by the Iron Dome, alongside the Arrow and David’s Sling systems. The Israeli economy is strong, unemployment is low, the stock market is at an all-time high, and the country is thriving. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the definition of a miracle.”
— Dr. Hoorvitz

While Israel is thriving through adversity, rising to its challenges with hi-tech and innovation to make the world a safer, better place and still flourishing despite the tremendous burden of wars on seven different fronts, the world is plagued by a pandemic. Not another COVID-19, but one that is far worse: a morally bankrupt world.

What does this say about the state of a morally corrupt world? What does it say when people are killed not for what they did, but for who they were? And even more heartbreakingly, for dedicating their lives to peace, service, and coexistence?

So, this is the situation as we enter the holiday of Shavuot—an event that offered the children of Israel, and indeed the world, a moral code.

The Torah at Sinai: A Moral Revolution

On Shavuot, we commemorate the giving of the Torah—a covenant that introduced a divine moral order to the world. At its heart stand the Ten Commandments, which were revolutionary then and remain so today.

Among them, we find one of the simplest and most powerful truths:
“You shall not murder.”

This commandment is not vague. It does not come with political exemptions. It declares that every human life is sacred, and no cause—however loud or righteous-sounding—may override that.

When Murder Masquerades as Morality

We are living in an age of moral confusion, where those who build bridges are vilified, and those who commit acts of terror are too often excused or even celebrated.

To murder in the name of “Free Palestine,” to justify unspeakable crimes with ideological slogans, is not resistance.
It is evil.
It is idolatry of the worst kind—hatred dressed up as righteousness, violence disguised as virtue.

The Book of Ruth: Kindness as Holiness

Each year on Shavuot, we read the Book of Ruth—a tale of chesed (loving-kindness), humility, and moral strength. Ruth, a Moabite woman, chooses not to abandon her vulnerable mother-in-law Naomi. She joins the Jewish people and dedicates herself to caring for the poor and the broken.

Her actions were quiet, but revolutionary. She became the great-grandmother of King David—not through power, but through kindness.

The Torah repeatedly commands us to protect the vulnerable—the widow, the orphan, and the marginalised. Ruth embodies this. And in our time, so do others.

So, how do Israelis respond – by doing more kindness. Here are two examples of Kindness in Action: Stars and the Moon & Hamaniot

We are blessed to witness modern-day kindness in action in Israel today:

Stars and the Moon

Stars and the Moon began in Australia, founded by my nephew Eitan Meyerowitz. It offers support and joy to children with disabilities and special needs through inclusive programs, music, and love.

After making Aliyah, Eitan expanded the initiative to Israel, creating a space where every child is seen, celebrated, and uplifted. It is Ruth’s legacy—made real through song, care, and community. (and probably no coincidence that Eitan’s mother’s name is Ruth)

Israel is home to countless remarkable organizations for special needs children—Shalva, the Feuerstein Institute, Beit Issie Shapiro in Ra’anana, Alyn Hospital, and more—all serving Jews and Arabs alike.

On a recent trip to the Dead Sea, I observed a group of Arab-Israeli children with special needs enjoying a holiday at the hotel. This is Israel—inclusive, compassionate, and devoted to human dignity.

And I haven’t even begun to speak of the care given to our injured soldiers—young people who have sacrificed so much, and yet receive the nation’s full devotion and respect.

Hamaniot – Guardians of the Orphans

Hamaniot is a beautiful Israeli initiative that provides emotional, educational, and financial support to orphans and vulnerable children. Rooted in a personal tragedy values, it offers mentorship, guidance, and a renewed sense of family and belonging.

This is the story of its founding.

“A bicycle rider was killed at the intersection between Hod Hasharon and Kfar Saba. The biker, who was 52 when he was killed, left behind three children”. This was the news that Hadar Kess saw when she was 14 years old, which informed her that her father had been killed, that she was one of the children who had been left behind. Besides the tragic loss and the pain accompanying the death of a parent, Hadar experienced a huge sense of loneliness, without friends her age who understood what she was coping with, and without an established support system that makes room for and acknowledges her loss and the accompanying feelings.

In 2016, Hadar joined LEAD, the Israel Youth Leadership Development program. With the support of the program, when she was only 16, Hadar founded the Sunflowers project (which eventually became the Sunflowers non-profit organization), all out of a desire that no child would have to experience what she had to experience all alone, and in the aim of offering social and emotional support to orphaned children and youth searching for their place in the complex reality forced upon them.”

Both these organisations reflect the soul of Israel—quiet strength, fierce compassion, and relentless care for those society might forget.

Let us Remember

Sarah Milgrim: A Modern Ruth

Sarah Milgrim, a dedicated young woman working at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, volunteered with Tech2Peace, an organization that brings together Israeli and Palestinian youth for tech training and conflict dialogue.

Like Ruth, Sarah:

• Gave her time and soul to helping others.
• Believed in coexistence, not just as a slogan, but as a path forward.
• Chose to serve the vulnerable and empower the next generation.

She was murdered for those very ideals—proof of how threatening peace can be to those consumed by hate.

Yaron Lischinsky: A Soul of Loyalty and Truth

Yaron Lischinsky, who was not Jewish, a Christian born in Germany, made Aliyah and chose to serve the State of Israel. He worked with humility, dedication, and honour at the Israeli Embassy, helping represent the Jewish people on the world stage.

Like Ruth, Yaron aligned his fate with Israel’s destiny.
Like Ruth, he declared through his life:
“Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”

He stood for truth. He was murdered for it.

Free Palestine—from Hamas, Not from Peace

The terrible irony is that both Sarah and Yaron were working for understanding, coexistence, and diplomacy—yet they were murdered in the name of a movement that claims to seek peace.

Let us be clear:

• Free Palestine from Hamas.
• Free it from terror and indoctrination.
• Honour those who build, not those who destroy.

Teaching Courage, Not Just Surfing – Another Living Example: Shaun Tomson and the Call to Do Good

While Shavuot reminds us of the timeless values revealed at Sinai, stories like that of Shaun Tomson, the legendary Jewish surfer, show us how those values continue to ripple through our world today.

From South Africa to Sinai Values, Shaun Tomson rose to fame in apartheid-era South Africa, a place torn by racial injustice. Amid that brokenness, he became a symbol of excellence and grace. As one of the world’s top surfers in the 1970s, he changed the sport through professionalism, discipline, and poetic passion for the waves. He won the 1977 World Surfing Championship—but what truly sets him apart is not what he did on the waves, but how he’s lived off them. Raised in a Jewish home, Shaun’s spiritual foundation was deeply rooted. His grandfather, Samuel Tomchinsky, escaped pogroms in Latvia. His mother, Marie, survived the brutal Siege of Malta during World War II and later converted to Judaism after marrying Ernie Tomson. Their home was infused with strength and purpose—values that shaped Shaun’s soul. Doing Good When It Matters. The Torah speaks not just of belief, but of action.

In early 2024, Shaun flew to Israel to teach surfing to children evacuated during war. He wasn’t just giving them surfing tips—he was restoring dignity, courage, and joy. At Frishman Beach in Tel Aviv, Shaun stood shoulder to shoulder with Israeli surfers in a paddle-out memorial honouring 26 Jewish surfers murdered in the October 7 attacks.

Amidst the waves, roses, and prayers, he helped carry a message of unity and remembrance—a living expression of “doing good.” Moral Courage in a Confused World,

Shaun has also spoken out publicly against antisemitism and global hypocrisy. His message echoes Sinai:

“You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbour.” (Leviticus 19:16)

His books, like Surfer’s Code, offer a kind of modern midrash—wisdom for resilience, responsibility, and ethical living.

Even after the tragic loss of his son, Mathew, Shaun turned pain into purpose, choosing to uplift and inspire

What Shavuot Asks of Us

The Midrash teaches that every Jewish soul stood at Sinai, not just in the past, but in potential.

So, Shavuot asks us: What are you doing with that call?

Shaun answered through action, as a Jew, father, teacher, and global citizen.

You don’t need to be a surfer. Whether you lead a class, run a company, comfort a friend, or write a blog, start by getting involved in one myriad chesed, projects of kindness.  We are called to Empower Good in this world.

This Shavuot, let us rededicate ourselves not only to receiving the Torah, but to living it, like Shaun, Ruth, Eitan, Hadar, Sarah, and Yaron.

• Rise when it’s inconvenient.
• Speak when others are silent.
• Shine light in a world still craving revelation.

From Kindness to Legacy

This Shavuot, as we return to Mount Sinai, may we receive Torah not only with our ears, but with our hearts.

• Let us defend life in a world too willing to excuse murder.
• Let us amplify kindness in a world too tempted by cruelty.
• Let us carry forward the legacy of Sarah, Yaron, and all those who choose light over darkness.

May their memory be a blessing.
May their legacy be our mission.

Footnote: Nothing is by Chance

Nothing is random. Nothing is in vain. Let us learn from the lives of these precious souls.

Let us live with purpose, walk with kindness, and act with moral courage—bringing the light of Sinai into the world that so desperately needs it.