As I listened to
the impassioned testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford this morning on my way to
the synagogue, I was overwhelmed by a variety of emotions. It was obvious that recounting
and sharing her experiences as a young girl was very painful. She did not want
to be in that hearing room. It was also clear that her story was not only compelling,
it was heart wrenching as well. As I listened, I could not help but to think about the
thousands of people for whom hearing about a violent attack and the fear and
powerlessness that it evoked may have triggered painful memories- especially for those who
also had been similarly victimized. In addition, the anger and frustration that
was reflected in Judge Kavanaugh’s words also touched a powerful chord in many.
Regardless of the outcome of these hearings, their impact and the
residual shock-waves that they have spawned should reverberate throughout our consciousness
and compel us to go through a period of serious self-reflection as a nation for a long time
to come.
If watching this
process unfold has invoked a need for you to talk to a member of our clergy
team, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are all here for you.
On Kol
Nidre, I spoke about the power of words – how they can wound and how they can
heal. We need to care for one another at this sacred time in our Jewish
calendar as well as the difficult time in our nation.
I look forward to
seeing many of you at services this Shabbat and especially at Simchat Torah and
Yizkor on Sunday night and Monday morning.
Happy Sukkot!
Rabbi Joseph R.
Black
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