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This past Wednesday, we commemorated the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. We remember the lives lost, the remarkable show of bravery, and the resilience of our nation in the face of unimaginable tragedy. We also remember the tremendous support and solidarity we received from our friends and allies from across the globe during our darkest hours.
This year, our reflections on 9/11 take on new significance as they are intertwined with our thoughts, fears, worries, and concerns about Israel and the Jewish people since the horror of October 7. Interesting how these two dates need no explanation, simply “9/11” and “October 7.” The dates themselves evoke emotions, feelings, images, and reactions that need no words to express. The sheer terror of the October 7th attacks, the heart-wrenching reality that many hostages remain captive, along with Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, and the escalations in the West Bank and on Israel’s northern border, as well as never knowing when or if Iran will attack, all keep us on edge and anxious.
Yet even in the darkest times, our Jewish tradition teaches us to hold on to hope. We remember the past, we honor the memories of those who perished. We don’t give up in the face of challenge, trial, anxiety, and conflict. We are survivors. As someone mentioned at our Worship Committee meeting earlier this week, “We’ve been through this before and we are still here.”
So what do we do? We must work toward a future where peace and justice prevail. We act as God’s hands, God’s loving arms, God’s heart. We pray for the safe return of the hostages and the healing of all those affected. We stand strong together, united in our faith and our commitment to lasting change, to tikkun olam—repairing the world. We don’t give up. We hope. We pray. We live our lives to their fullest, as a Jewish people, as humans living on the earth with all of humankind.
This week, as I was contemplating my personal memories of 9/11 and thinking about the current ongoing situation in Israel, I read the most beautiful and poignant poem written by one of my dear colleagues and friends, Rabbi Evan Schultz, Senior Rabbi, Congregation B’nai Israel, Bridgeport, Connecticut. I share it with you as a reflection for this Shabbat remembrance of 9/11, and this fifth “Shabbat of Consolation” (there are seven special Haftarot of consolation which are read during the seven Shabbat mornings between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashanah).
A Morning Meeting with God, by Rabbi Evan Schultz, Senior Rabbi, Congregation B’nai Israel, Bridgeport, CT
I scheduled a morning meeting with God.
Subject: Role Clarification
God was five minutes early.
I was five minutes late.
My youngest missed the bus.
God seemed agitated.
What’s this about?
Role clarification.
We humans feel like we’re
shouldering a lot of the load
these days.
We need some help.
God burst into tears.
A daily occurrence.
You cover the earth.
I cover the sky.
Haven’t we been over this?
God replied as She stared
out the window.
Well it’s not working very well.
I replied as I tried to discern
what God was staring at.
God was silent for what
felt like an eternity.
I can’t heal the sick.
Or stop wars.
I cannot prevent evil.
Or calm the seas.
I cannot change hearts.
Or bring peace.
I can pray for you.
And send angels to earth.
I can offer you strength.
And cry for you.
I can craft beautiful skies.
And incredible sunsets.
And I can believe in You.
Then I burst into tears.
A daily occurrence.
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