SDJW staff report
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) – In synagogues in San Diego and across the country, Jews and their friends answered the call of the American Jewish Committee to “Show Up for Shabbat” to demonstrate just one week after the Pittsburgh massacre that people of good conscience will not be intimidated.
Contributors to San Diego Jewish World attended services in a variety of congregations and later shared their impressions for this article.
Laurie Baron, who writes the “Humoring the Headlines” column went to Friday night services at Temple Emanu-El, a Reform congregation close to the San Diego State University campus. Her reported that the attendance of many people from the non-Jewish community was evident and comforting. “We ran out of chairs, prayer books, and visitor name tags,” Baron reported. ““Congresswoman Susan Davis joined us as well.”
Baron went on to report:
Rabbi Benj Fried conducted the service, and, Marshall Voit served as the cantor. Before kindling the Shabbat candles, eleven candles were lit as the name of each victim of the Pittsburgh massacre was recited. The songs and service reinforced the idea of interfaith solidarity, love, and peace in turbulent times like these.
Rabbi Fried’s sermon traced what happened in Pittsburgh to the origins of modern anti-Semitic conspiracy theories in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, its Americanization by Henry Ford, the conflation of Jews and communism during McCarthyism, and the current political fearmongering about globalism, immigration, and leftist radicalism. He appealed to American Jews not to abandon their faith in the founding principles of civic and religious equality in the United States. Then he quoted George Washington’s letter to the members of the Touro Synagogue:
“The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.”
San Diegan Sheryl Rowling, who writes “Money Maven” columns concerning personal finance, was in Washington D.C. to attend a conference. Although she normally attends a Reform congregation, she decided to attend Saturday morning services at the Conservative Tifereth Israel Synagogue there.
She reported that the lay led service memorialized not only the 11 Jews killed in Pennsylvania but also two African Americans who were gunned down at a Kroger store in Kentucky. The sanctuary was filled with representatives of many religions and ethnicities.
Rowling’s report went on to say:
We didn’t notice any security. However, there was only one entry door unlocked and we saw a police car parked outside.Various speakers talked about the tragedy of anti-Semitism, racism, homophobia and fear of immigrants. Layered on top of the memories of heinous acts of violence were recognition of the support given by so many in the community and a plea to be sure to vote. Especially touching at this time was the prayer for our country:Our God and God of our ancestors, grant to our country the will and wherewithal to fulfill its calling to justice, liberty, and equality.
May each of us fulfill our responsibilities of citizenship with care, generosity, and gratitude, ever conscious of the extraordinary blessing of freedom, ever mindful of our duties to one another.
Bless those who volunteer to labor on behalf of us all; may they find the strength and courage to complete their tasks and fulfill their dreams.
May our judges, elected leaders, and all who hold public office exercise their responsibilities with wisdom, fairness, and justice for all. Fill them with love and kindness, and bless them that they may walk with integrity on the paths of peace and righteousness.
Creator and protector of all, watch over our armed forces and all those entrusted with our safety, as they daily put their lives at risk to protect us and our freedoms. Be with them in times of danger; give them courage to act with honor and dignity, as well as insight to do what is right in Your eyes. Fill us all with the gifts of love and courage, that we may create a world that reflects Your glory.
May we each respond to the charge of Your prophet, “For what does Adonai demand of You, but to act justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Your God” (Micah 6:8).May the One who brings peace on high bring peace and prosperity to our world and keep us in safety.
SDJW Editor Donald H. Harrison attended Friday night services at Tifereth Israel Synagogue of San Diego. A security guard was at the gated entrance to the walkway leading to the Conservative congregation’s foyer and sanctuary. Handouts quoting Rabbis Jonathan Berkun of Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center in Florida and Rabbi Ethan Linden of the Ramah Camp in the Berkshires were distributed. Rabbi Berkin said his father was at the hospital last Saturday visiting his ailing mother, otherwise he would have been at the Tree of Life Synagogue as is his usual routine. He added:
Here’s one truth: Elderly Jews tend to come early to synagogue on Shabbat, and for some reason, many of them prefer to sit in the back. Maybe it’s so they can sleep through the rabbi’s sermon unnoticed, or maybe because it’s a shorter walk to the bathroom. That back row is where my father sits early every Shabbat at the Tree of Life Congregation. But the shooter also came early, and today, every single person who sits with my father in synagogue is dead. i have no doubt that had my mother not been ill, I would have blown home not to comfort my father, but to bury him…
Rabbi Linden grew up at the Tree of Life Synagogue commented “there will be a time, in the days an weeks to come, to consider the ripple effects of this horrific attack. We will, I am sure, discuss the possible range of policy responses; we will, I hope, engage in a discussion about the meaning of the dangerously heated rhetoric which has somehow become an accepted part of our political life. Closer to home, I can assure you, we will reflect on how this might impact the ongoing conversations at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires about the way we keep our community safe during the summer. There will be a time for all this; there is a time for every purpose under heaven.
However, he continued
This is a time for weeping. A time to mourn for more loss, for more suffering, for more friends and family left bereft by an act of hatred. This is a time to support the various congregations which share Tree of Life. A time, perhaps, to support the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the subject, it seems from news reports, of the murderer’s special ire. This is a time to remember as the great Pittsburgher Fred Rogers reninded us,”to look for the helpers.” I spoke to my friends in Pittsburgh tonight after Shabbat ended. They told me that many friends walking home from synagogues all over our neighborhood had experienced something amazing: people stopping their cars, rolling down their windows and offering condolences and blesings and words of comfort. “God bless,” they heard, over and over again.”
When Rabbi Josh Dorsch of Tifereth Israel Synagogue gave a sermon, it was on the theme that sometimes words are not enough. He recalled the example of Aaron, in Leviticus 10:1-3,l in which after God’s fire consumed his eldest sons Nadab and Abihu, “Aaron was silent.” No words can adequately express the shock that the Jewish people feel as a result of the massacre of 11 Jews at Shabbat prayer in their Pittsburgh synagogue.
Dorsch noted that the first three medical personnel who saw the accused Pittsburgh murderer when he was wheeled into the hospital jumped to their jobs of saving him, notwithstanding that they were Jewish. He then quoted Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, who said the job of Jews is not to make the world more Jewish, but to make it more human.
The rabbi was followed to the bima by David Ogul, president of the Conservative congregation, who read a letter sent to the synagogue by members of St. Therese Catholic Church in San Diego. It read:
We just wanted to reach out to you all and let you know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Such an horrendous act committed against our brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh. Please be assured that the victims of the shooting, their families, relatives, friends and neighbors are in our prayers. We stand with you and all victims of hatred, violence and bigotry! May the good God of us all truly give you peace and courage at this time.”
Eva Trieger, who specializes in coverage of the arts, attended Saturday morning services at Congregation Adat Yeshurun in La Jolla, a modern Orthodox congregation. She wrote:
We have an active congregation and a typical Shabbat crowd is comprised of about 150 men and women and about 20 children. Today, as Shacharit began, a young Asian woman sat next to me. I gave her a siddur and showed her the page. She thanked me and told me she didn’t read Hebrew. I explained that the left hand side of the book provided an English translation. She again thanked me and told me that she was a scientist in town for a convention, but came because of #showuponshabbat. I became choked up. What bravery, compassion and support!
When Rabbi Jeffrey Wohlgelernter gave his drash, he spoke of his own attempt to eke meaning out of the Pittsburgh tragedy. He reminded us of the Pesach song, “Who Knows One?” He asked the question, “Who Knows Eleven?” He went on to give us a snapshot of each of the lives that were snuffed out by a vicious gunman last Shabbat morning, in the sanctity of their house of worship.
Rabbi Wohlgelernter explained that while all lives are meaningful and important, these eleven lives were intended to garner the attention of the world. More importantly, so that they did not die in vain, we need to learn from this episode. The lesson is that we must focus on the big picture and be mindful and grateful for all that we have in this moment. We cannot get caught up in the frustrating minutiae of the day-to-day struggles. Instead, we must cultivate gratitude and awareness for all of the miraculous relationships and experiences in our lives.It was a powerful talk, made all the more memorable because of this courageous young woman, who visited out of solidarity and recognition.
Eileen Wingard, who reviews classical music for San Diego Jewish World, attended Shabbat morning services at Ohr Shalom Synagogue in San Diego.
She reported that Rabbi Scott Meltzer’s commentary on the Parsha, Chayye Sarah, focused on Chapter 23, verse 4,where Abraham says: “I am a stranger and a sojourner with you; give me a possession of a burying-place with you…” Meltzer translated the Hebrew word, “ger,” not only as stranger, but as immigrant and pointed out that the assailant, who murdered the eleven Jewish worshipers in Pittsburgh, had posted messages of hatred toward Jews, immigrants and other outsiders.
Meltzer emphasized that our tradition, going back to Abraham, was to welcome strangers, as our ancient father did, with open hospitality. Abraham was also welcomed by the children of Heth, in the Parsha, Chayye Sarah, as
he was given a burial place for his beloved wife, Sarah.
The Haftarah was about an old and cold King David, choosing his successor. A renegade son, Adoniya, tried to usurp the throne, but King David succeeded in passing the Kingdom on to his son, Solomon. With tongue in cheek, Morris Lazard, past president of Beth Tefilah, concluded his prefacing comments:”So, it might be difficult for us to relate to today’s story, about a Nation, struggling to find its way. Can we understand what it might mean if the wrong person is in charge? We have no contextual understanding of what it could mean if a person, mostly concerned about power and pushing an agenda, would do to the fabric of our society. How can we possibly relate to the idea that a nation might be on the brink of making decisions that will affect the immediate future of our Country and the future of our children’s Country? So I can understand if you struggle today, to find a meaningful correlation to the Haftorah and our current political situation. But this coming Tuesday, do your best to see if you can find a connection to today’s Haftorah, a story about a leader of a nation and a society that is concerned about the current status of that nation and the decisions and choices you make at the ballot box.”
The attendance at the service was larger than usual. There were also many visitors from throughout the country. A number of them were in San Diego to attend a large Neuroscience convention. Each visitor was asked to introduce themselves and one said, “when one Jew is killed, it affects all Jews.” Several non-Jewish visitors were there to show solidarity with their Jewish neighbors.At the Kiddush Luncheon that followed, I exchanged some words with Lynn Mendelssohn, president of Ohr Shalom. She is from Pittsburgh and attended Carnegie–Mellon University there. Her brother was close friends with the 65 year-old dentist, Richard Gottfried, who was one of the massacre victims. In sadness and in simcha, we find solidarity, when we come together as a community.*
Preceding was a San Diego Jewish World staff report. Any of the writers may be contacted via emails with their first name, a dot, and last name @sdjewishworld.com
Thank you to Don, Eva, Eileen, Sheryl and Laurie for writing this.