Morgan Hill Congregation Celebrates 45 Years, Calls for Moral Courage

Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz reflects on the Jewish holiday of Purim and the need to speak up against injustice

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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In a reflection on the Jewish holiday of Purim, Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz of Congregation Emeth in Morgan Hill, California draws parallels between the courageous acts of Queen Vashti and Esther in the Purim story, and the moral imperative to speak up against hatred and injustice in the present day. As Congregation Emeth celebrates its 45th anniversary, the rabbi emphasizes the importance of exercising "Ometz Lev" or "Heart Strength" to address issues impacting local and national communities.

Why it matters

The Purim story highlights the power of moral courage in the face of oppression, which Rabbi Dantowitz argues is still relevant today as communities grapple with hatred, injustice and a need for systemic change. As the oldest Jewish community in South County, Congregation Emeth's milestone anniversary underscores the importance of values-driven institutions that foster a sense of community responsibility.

The details

The Purim story recounts the courageous acts of Queen Vashti, who refused the king's demand to appear at his party wearing only her crown, and Esther, who risked her life to speak up against the evil minister Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews. Rabbi Dantowitz draws parallels between these historical events and the moral courage displayed by modern-day activists speaking out against abuse and injustice. She emphasizes the Torah's commandments to "love your neighbor" and "love the stranger", calling on people to respond to this moral imperative through actions large and small, from speaking up to providing care for those in need.

  • Purim will be celebrated from Monday night, March 2 to Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
  • Congregation Emeth was founded 45 years ago in Morgan Hill, California.

The players

Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz

The rabbi of Congregation Emeth, the oldest Jewish community in South County, California.

Queen Vashti

A character in the Purim story who refused the king's demand to appear at his party wearing only her crown, an act of courage.

Esther

A Jewish woman who became queen and risked her life to speak up against the evil minister Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews, as recounted in the Purim story.

Mordechai

Esther's cousin who urged her to speak up and save the Jews from Haman's plot in the Purim story.

Haman

The evil minister in the Purim story who plotted to annihilate all the Jews.

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What they’re saying

“On the contrary, if you keep silent in this crisis, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another quarter, while you and your father's house will perish. And who knows, perhaps you have attained to royal position for just such a crisis.”

— Mordechai (Esther 4:14)

“Neighbor is not a geographic term. It is a moral concept. It means our collective responsibility for the preservation of man's dignity and integrity...The most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem is silence.”

— Rabbi Joachim Prinz, Civil rights leader (1963 March on Washington speech)

What’s next

As Congregation Emeth celebrates its 45th anniversary, the community will continue to explore the themes of moral courage and collective responsibility through programming and community engagement.

The takeaway

In an era marked by divisiveness and attacks on marginalized communities, the Purim story and the legacy of Congregation Emeth serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking up against injustice and exercising moral courage, or "Ometz Lev", to create positive change in our local and national communities.