Open your eyes and look for their smiles;
Close your eyes and listen for their laughter;
Reach out your hand and hold a child’s hand;
Remember the smell of a newborn’s head.
 
When our children cry, we must be their light;
When our children hurt, we must heal their pain;
When our children want, we must provide;
When our children fear, we must protect them.
 
It is easy to dwell on what is negative or what is bad;
It is harder to stand up and make a difference.
It is easy to forget from where we came;
It is harder to remember the past as we look to the future.
 
Today – we make a stand to live for our children.
Today – we make sure to listen to our children.
Today – we make the future brighter.
Tomorrow – we learn from today.
 
Eloheinu v’lohei Avoteinu v’Imoteinu, Give us the strength to go forward.  Help us to do what is right and what is best for our children, our future.

I have learned; I have studied
The Holocaust, the Shoah; the destruction of millions of stories
I have reflected; I have imagined
The souls of those who were lost; where we would be today with them

The music began; the violins began to tell their stories
The history was awakened; we were transported back in time
The musicians and the instruments were as one; their stories became intertwined
I sat in my seat mesmerized; everything around me faded from view

Each violin cried; each violin sang; each violin smiled; each violin spoke
Jewish communities of old; Jewish communities of today
Every person sitting in the theater was reminded; our present became our past
We became a lost soul; their souls became alive in our thoughts as we remembered

Communities come together to learn; communities come together to remember
Atrocities; Genocide; Mass Killings; Holocaust
We closed our eyes and cried; We opened our eyes and wept
The future is now; the past is now; the present is now

These violins teach us not just their history, but our history.
We must learn so we do not repeat the same mistakes.
Hate begets hate begets hate begets hate begets hate...
Love is the only answer - the only solution - the remedy so these memories are not repeated.

Blessed are You, God, the One who teaches, encourages and stands by us as we learn together.

I often think about the future.  

Of course, that is pretty vague.  I think about tomorrow, weeks ahead, months ahead...and so on.  I also think about the next "Journey."  Some refer to this as the Afterlife...however, what if it is just one continuous life?  I have read a lot on this subject - I mean, I am a rabbi.  I even teach a class on the Jewish understandings of "Heaven and Hell."

It makes a lot of sense that we would dwell on our time as a "living biological being" on earth.  After all, it is right in front of us.  We cannot ignore it.  And, we are not really able to comprehend what we do not understand - which of course is everything before and after our time on earth.  

When I think about the future, I try to focus on the positive "what ifs."  It is not always easy, though, when I consider so many of the terrible things that are present in today's world including terrorism, natural disasters, mass shootings and the list goes on.  My "inner" Yetzer Tov (my good angel) reminds me of all of the wonderful things - my wife, my beautiful family, my wonderful congregation and so much more.

Times of Wonder

Think back to the first time you smelled a new born baby's head...what about the first flowers of Spring.  Have you found true love?  Remember how your heart felt when you saw your beloved after an absence?  These are only a few examples of the wonder there is in the world.  

When approaching the end of life, people often will tell me they are not afraid to die.  They are looking forward...why?  Some are looking forward to no longer being in pain while others are excited about the next stage of their lives.  Even those who struggle with God or the Heaven/Hell idea are still sometimes excited about finding out what's next.  On the other hand, some are afraid of how their families and friends will cope with their passing.

One of the first words a Jewish person utters in the morning is: Modeh Ani L'fanecha, Melech Chai v'Kayam, She'he'chezarta Bi Nishmati, Bechemla, Rabah Emunatecha. "I offer thanks to You, ever living Sovereign, that You have restored my soul to me in mercy: How great is Your trust."

Every day that we wake up and open our eyes, we should be thankful for the day that is ahead.  Even during our daily struggles, we should look for reasons to be thankful...things to amaze us: the wonders of every day.  This is not always easy.  For many, this is a rather difficult task.  It is, however, a struggle we must work through.  We should find these moments of wonder and hold on to the memories.

Looking Back and then looking forward again

When we think of those who have had indelible imprints on our lives, especially those who have died, should we only remember the wonder?  What about the pain that we feel?  Perhaps we are angry as we do not understand why they are gone.  Perhaps there are also uncomfortable or bad memories that are hard to forget.  I firmly believe that the "bad" experiences and memories are just as important as the "good" ones.

Do not get me wrong.  Sometimes, it is impossible to look past or forget these bad experiences.  And, sometimes these experiences overpower the good ones.  That is ok.  All of the experiences we have in life impact us and help us to become who we are today and in the future.  So, look back and find those memories: the good ones and the "not so good ones."

You have them?  Ok, now look forward again.  If you do not understand why, that is ok...let these memories help you to move forward.  Do not let them overpower you.  Do not forget them...hold on to them.  Recognize them for what they are.  This may be the hardest thing you'll ever do.  That is also ok...this is how we move forward.

Let me end this blog with a prayer:

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam, Mi M'vareich et Ha'avar shelanu v'et Ha'atid shelanu.

Blessed are You Adonai, Sovereign of the Universe, who blesses our past and our future.

Broken glass at night, shaking each of us to the core.
Broken glass during the day, in plain sight after we’ve been shaken.
Broken glass in our past, present and in the future.
When will it stop?  What must we do?  What must we say?
 
The glass is a reminder – symbolic of so much more.
The rain falls down to wash the broken pieces away.
Even the sun stays hidden behind the clouds.
80 years later and we still ask why…how can we understand?
 
The United States of America – the Beacon of Hope in the world.
Even in our darkest of hours, we are supposed to be together….an example.
What do we do when the past creeps back into our present?
We stand together, united, hand in hand…our links cannot be broken.
 
Beloved Parent – help us to pick up the broken shards of glass.
Guide us in our attempts to rebuild or start building anew.
As we remember our past, let us look to the future.
Let our children guide us along the path – let them be the glue that holds us together.

From Psalm 55:
 
 לִבִּי, יָחִיל בְּקִרְבִּי;    וְאֵימוֹת מָוֶת, נָפְלוּ עָלָי.

ו  יִרְאָה וָרַעַד, יָבֹא בִי;    וַתְּכַסֵּנִי, פַּלָּצוּת.

ז  וָאֹמַר--מִי-יִתֶּן-לִי אֵבֶר, כַּיּוֹנָה:    אָעוּפָה וְאֶשְׁכֹּנָה.

ח  הִנֵּה, אַרְחִיק נְדֹד;    אָלִין בַּמִּדְבָּר סֶלָה.

ט  אָחִישָׁה מִפְלָט לִי--    מֵרוּחַ סֹעָה מִסָּעַר.

 
My heart is in anguish within me;
    the terrors of death have fallen on me.
Fear and trembling have beset me;
    horror has overwhelmed me.
I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
    I would fly away and be at rest.
I would flee far away
    and stay in the desert;
I would hurry to my place of shelter,
    far from the tempest and storm.
 
It is so easy, in our fear and anger, to want to close ourselves off.  Our feelings of pain and sorrow push us to close our doors to the outside to shield ourselves from any future pain.  I will admit that I feel that pain…I feel that anger, that fear.  I have spent the last few days wondering why…how could this have happened?  Not here, not today.  And, yet, at the same time I am not so surprised.  Hate begets hate begets hate…and so on.
 
However, if we close our doors…if we push everything away…if we flee from this, then the hate has won.  No – we must join together as one community of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Sikh, Hindu, Atheists…one community of humanity.  Together we can overcome what causes us the most fear and anguish right now.  Yes, there are many things, many ideas that divide us.  Why should we dwell on those?  Why not, instead, dwell on the things that binds us together?  We have so much more in common…. 
 
Psalm 133 teaches us – Hinei Mah Tov u’Manayim, Shevet Achim gam yachad,” How good and pleasant it is that we can join together as brothers and sisters.” 
This is the lesson.  This is what I want us to dwell on – Our coming together in a time of need…to find joy, to find goodness.  We do not have to look hard to find it – we just have to look to our left and our right at the faces of those who stand together with us.
 
I would like to end my remarks with a prayer I wrote on Sunday:
 
“Shabbat of Broken Spirits”
​
Joyce Fienburg, 75-years-old
Richard Gottfried, 65-years-old
Rose Mallinger, 97-years-old
Jerry Rabinowitz, 66-years-old
Cecil Rosenthal, 59-years-old
David Rosenthal, 54-years-old
Bernice Simon, 84-years-old
Sylvan Simon, 86-years-old
Daniel Stein, 71-years-old
Melvin Wax, 88-years-old
Irving Younger, 69-years-old

This was not supposed to happen, not here.
Here, we were supposed to find peace, comfort and holiness.
The Shabbat brings us a time of rest, reflection and spirituality.
The Shabbat began as so many others…members coming together to pray for shalom.


History has taught us the need for community, love and support.
History has given us the opportunity to learn together as a community.
History has brought us to where we are today.
The present teaches us we have a lot more diligent work to do.


Beloved God – be with us as we (once again) attempt to move forward from this place.
Give us the strength to mend our broken hearts and our broken spirits.
Help us to remember…not to forget…not to hold grudges…but to remember.
We must not only remember the agony; we must also remember the times of joy and comfort.


Baruch Atah Adonai, HaMevareich et Amo Yisrael BaShalom.
Blessed are you God, who blesses Your people Israel with peace.

Joyce Fienburg, 75-years-old
Richard Gottfried, 65-years-old
Rose Mallinger, 97-years-old
Jerry Rabinowitz, 66-years-old
Cecil Rosenthal, 59-years-old
David Rosenthal, 54-years-old
Bernice Simon, 84-years-old
Sylvan Simon, 86-years-old
Daniel Stein, 71-years-old
Melvin Wax, 88-years-old
Irving Younger, 69-years-old
This was not supposed to happen, not here.
Here, we were supposed to find peace, comfort and holiness.
The Shabbat brings us a time of rest, reflection and spirituality.
The Shabbat began as so many others…members coming together to pray for shalom.
History has taught us the need for community, love and support.
History has given us the opportunity to learn together as a community.
History has brought us to where we are today.
The present teaches us we have a lot more diligent work to do.
Beloved God – be with us as we (once again) attempt to move forward from this place.
Give us the strength to mend our broken hearts and our broken spirits.
Help us to remember…not to forget…not to hold grudges…but to remember.
We must not only remember the agony; we must also remember the times of joy and comfort.
Baruch Atah Adonai, HaMevareich et Amo Yisrael BaShalom.
Blessed are you God, who blesses Your people Israel with peace.

You stood out among all of the others, not really knowing why.
To this day, we argue what it meant for you that day.
That day in which you were chosen to be a leader among the nations.
That day in which the world changed around you, for better or for worse.
 
We stand out today, reminded of your first steps on your journey.
Until today, we argued, discussed and argued even more regarding our journey.
Today, today, today, we focus on leading our children by example.
Today, we grapple with defining what it means for us to take our own steps forward.
 
Looking out upon the smiling faces of our children, all of our children,
Struggling for the words to define our emotions, our “thoughts and prayers,”
Wondering if and how we can make this journey of peace possible,
Reminded of your first steps – of your ability to “go with the flow.”
 
Then I realize the scope of your “righteousness” is not what matters.
Then I realize there is a struggle with every step forward.
Then I realize it is important to try to understand, even if I cannot.
Then I realize we must work together, struggling, arguing and moving forward.
TOGETHER.

Courage and Inspiration

Today is the day she stood up, spoke her truth and inspired us all.
Today is the day she showed all of us it is possible to get up and stay standing.
Today is the day our children have learned the importance of courage.
Today is the day we are inspired by her courage, by her strength.
 
Tomorrow is the day we will wake up as a nation and move forward together.
Tomorrow is the day her strength and courage will be celebrated.
Tomorrow is the day she will remain standing tall.
Tomorrow is the day her inspiration will give us courage and strength.

​Oh God, bless her and all of those who have felt violated.
Oh God, bless her and anyone who is unable to stand up and scream out.
Oh God, bless her and her family, all our families, all of us.
Oh God, bless us, bless us all as we admire her and learn from her.
 
Blessed are You, God, the One who gives us strength, even when we do not think we have it.

Today - how do I put my feelings into words?
Words that others will understand....words that will help me understand.
Sadness, confusion, incomplete"ness," weight, weak, crying....
But, yet, even as I think about these words I realize there are others.

Thankful, recognition, appreciation, strength, thoughtful, smiling....

Is it possible to have these feelings at the same time?
Why do I feel torn between these two extremes?
What is it - why can't I just feel apathetic...somewhere in the middle?
Apathy - this is a feeling I do not understand...it is like feeling nothing.

Is it easier for me to feel nothing?  It is easier for me to just ignore my feelings?
This does not feel right.  I seek something - justice, righteousness...is there something more?
I am a rabbi.  I am a father.  I am a husband.  I am a friend.  I am a stranger.  I am so many things...

I am human first...nothing else take precedence.  I was born a human - everything else came afterwards.

I know it is not possible for me to hide away and ignore my confusion...ignore what I feel isn't right.
I know I need to act for what I believe is right...people depend on these actions.  
The leader in me knows it is time to act...it is time to lead by example and do something.

​God - guide me; show me; instruct me; LEAD me.....