We cannot compare suffering. The anguish of an individual is all his own. But, of late, our community, our Shul community has experienced two extreme losses. Laura and Ben Meisler have lost their young adult son, Harry, and Sue and Ethan Fishman have lost their son-in-law, Ronen, husband and father of two young sons.
No parent should ever bury a child, no grandparent should ever bury a grandchild, no 5 year-old should ask “when is Daddy finally coming home?”
Our Shul is not just a building. Our Shul is a community of people. Whether we know more or fewer members, we have agreed that Shabbat is the time for Jews to assemble and pray.
I request that you to come to Shul tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. - whether you know the Meisler family, Laura & Ben and Bert, or not, and whether you know Sue and Ethan Fishman or not. Be in the room together with families who are suffering and in need of solace in the face of anguish. Remain in the social hall for 5-10 minutes after services and extend yourself to people whom you do not typically visit and say ‘I am sorry for your loss.’
No one is expecting you or me to answer the question “why?” But we are expecting that others care for each other. That is part of the agreement we all made when we became members of Shul.
This week’s Torah reading is Korach. Famously, this is the only revolt described as occurring during the 40 years of Moses and Aaron. Parshat Korach relates the captivating story of a community which did not see itself as united. Korach and 253 other people rose up against Moses and Aaron and sought to wrest leadership from their hands. The end result of a faction’s breaking away from the community was great loss and suffering. Typically, from this parshah, we teach the importance of recognizing leaders and accepting lawfully-appointed leaders. However, this week I am reading the parshah with an eye towards the people which comprise the community. Shall we only be motivated by the passion of our neighbors to obtain limited glory for ourselves or shall we view ourselves as Menschen and remain part of the community- supporting the community’s needs?
Please remember we are having a special song-filled service with Danielle and Josh Isen next Friday, June 30, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Join us for singing and an Oneg Shabbat. https://www.facebook.com/AhavasChesedSynagogue/videos/1921682868096049/
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Steve Silberman
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