Thursday, September 27, 2018

On Witnessing Powerful Testimony During the Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings


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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