Category: Mourning

A light of Hope has Gone Out

credit: LBJ Library

We should pause and reflect on Jimmy Carter and the gift that was his life.

President Jimmy Carter engineered the peace between Israel and Egypt, and we are indebted to him, if only for that.

He was an exemplar of morality, committed to peace and human rights, and striving to improve the world.

During the High Holidays, we reflect on the balance between Din and Rachamim, the strictness of law and compassion. Many have thought Carter was too compassionate and not strong enough. Nowadays, the world seems to be seeking “strongmen” as leaders. We lose something when our leaders cannot access humanity and compassion.

As President and throughout his life, Carter was a remarkable human being,  a consequential force for positive change in our world.

May his name be for a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom

This Shabbat is different.  The feelings of vulnerability evoked by Sukkot underscore October Rain.  Shulem Lemmer shares his rendition here.

In these times, when we’re focused on not drowning in the hurricane of hatred and antisemitism, our personal feelings often take a backseat. Since that dreadful day in October, our hearts and minds have been solely focused on our land and people. From the moment I heard this song, I felt compelled to cover it, as it conveyed so much of what we’ve struggled to express in recent months. (continued below).

Shabbat Shalom

The original “October Rain” was deemed “too political” for the world stage, leading to the release of a more neutral version, “Hurricane.” I am sharing “October Rain” in its raw, authentic form to voice our nation’s true sentiments. May the floods dry up with the warm sunshine of Moshiach’s arrival!

Lyrics: Writers of the history Stand with me Look into my eyes and see People go away but never say goodbye Someone stole the moon tonight Took my light Everything is black and white Who’s the fool who told you boys don’t cry? Hours and hours and flowers Life is no game for the cowards Why does the time go wild Every day I’m losing my mind Holding on in this mysterious ride Dancing in the storm We got nothing to hide Take me home And leave the world behind And I promise you that never again I’m still wet from this October rain October rain Living in a fantasy Ecstasy Everything is meant to be We shall pass but love will never die Hours and hours and flowers Life is no game for the cowards Why does the time go wild Every day I’m losing my mind Holding on in this mysterious ride Dancing in the storm We got nothing to hide Take me home And leave the world behind And I promise you that never again I’m still wet from this October rain October rain October rain

לא צריך מילים גדולות רק תפילות אפילו כשקשה לראות תמיד אתה משאיר לי אור אחד קטן

 

 

Tisha b’Av

On Monday evening, August 12, we begin the solemn remembrance of Tisha b’Av, the Ninth day of the Month of Av in the Jewish calendar.

This day marks the great disasters that have befallen the Jewish people: the destruction of the First and Second Temples and other catastrophes.  It is a sad day, often a fast day, with prayers of lament, including chanting the Book of Lamentations known as Eicha.

As a people of history, we know persecution too well.  AntiSemitism has become more out in the open and widespread.  The current war has complicated our relationship with the world even further.  There is even speculation that Iran will launch its reprisal attack on this date as a cruel, ironic twist to the ongoing hostilities.

It is a time to acknowledge and share in the sorrow and the martyrdom of so many of our brothers and sisters whose only crime was to be Jewish.

As we reflect on this somber moment, we also take heart in knowing that Am Yisrael Chai, The People of Israel, lives through it all.

You can listen to the chanting of Eicha with its haunting melody here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8RBrOiCy40

 

 

Philadelphias lead role in helping people in the Death Space

Philly Magazine has an interesting article sharing how we are doing a better job discussing death.

I am honored to be included in the conversation through my work at the Death Cafe of Greater Philadelphia.

Thanks to Ben Seal for this important piece.

Check out the link below.

https://www.phillymag.com/news/2024/02/17/death-care-workers/?fbclid=IwAR3N4PLlrRNMYaEsut-71eTqtqTwQ72BlSA9cyaAoVmuhJWPtL7z2fl-HKk

Advocating Genocide is just Wrong

Speech advocating for Genocide is despicable and unacceptable.  Supporting murder and elimination of an entire group cannot be sanctioned even under the banner of “free speech.” It is the height of exclusion and hate.   And by its very nature, it bullies and intimidates anyone who would be the target of such speech. Watching the presidents of three of the ostensibly most illustrious colleges fumble this issue is sad. Their equivocations and attempts to nuance the question are an embarrassment to everyone who supports higher education and demonstrate the incompetency of these individuals.

Wow- you got spanked and are now on an apology tour.  Shame on you again.   Perhaps it would be best if you made this your goodbye tour.  Our best institutions need more than you can give, or they will cease to be the best.

It is time for these people to resign, and the colleges find people willing and capable of leading institutions where the free marketplace of ideas is promoted yet will not tolerate anything, no matter how heinous.

#Veritas

#Leges Sine Moribus Vanae

#Mens et manus

 

 

 

Zichronam Livracha-Praying for the Dead

Among the more horrific scenes was a parking lot of about 200 cars.

As we approached, three teams from Zaka were leaving, those charged with collecting as much of the human remains as possible for burial.

The cars were burnt-out shells.   Little was left but burned metal and ash.  Zaka had its work cut out for it.  But as we looked more closely, they tended to their sacred task.  Cars were tagged, and each tag represented a victim they found.  Some cars had one, two, or more tags.  And some did not have enough to be identified.  But it was presumed that there were at least two people in each vehicle who died violently and painfully.

We gazed into a sea of death.  And as we waded into the lot, we were told there was a second larger lot.

May they rest in peace.

 

It is time for change- The Litmus Test

We need a litmus test.

It seems an unavoidable conclusion to reach- we are okay with slaughter by people using guns; it is the price we pay for our rights as we see them.

If this sentiment makes you cringe, there is only one thing to do:  vote out of office for anyone who does not support responsible gun legislation;  and do not vote for anyone unwilling to pledge support of responsible gun legislation. This litmus test is for local, state, and national figures as this issue transcends these boundaries. Then, of course, we can continue to argue over politics or other policy issues. Still, this binary choice is what we need to make any meaningful changes.

Murderers use assault weapons to mow down masses at a time with regularity; Others use handguns to slay individuals daily. This state of affairs cannot stand. Yet, lamenting the loss is an empty gesture if that is all we do. Our commitment to creating a safer society must confront and coexist with the issues of personal freedoms.   Only our vote will make change possible.