One Year After Aurora - Shabbat Nachamu

One Year After Aurora - Shabbat Nachamu 

7/19/2013

Rabbi Joseph R. Black

Let me tell you about my day today.  It started early in the morning with the interment of a woman who had no family, no friends, no one to mourn her.  Her name was Charmion Berkeley.  The only people present at the grave were me, two funeral directors, and 4 cemetery employees.  Normally, in a situation like this, we have time to call people together to say kaddish.  For a number of reasons, in this case it was not possible.  And so, I found myself in the position of laying an unknown woman to rest.  As I read her name, I realized that it was very possible that this would be the last time her name was ever said publicly.

Later on in the day I participated in a Rally of Remembrance, commemorating the 1 year anniversary of the Aurora Shootings.  At this Rally, in addition to hearing testimony from victims of violence, we also heard from family members of some of those who lost their lives in Aurora, at Sandy Hook and Columbine.  This was followed by two prayers - one offered by me (http://rabbijoeblack.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-prayer-for-one-year-anniversary-of.html )and the other by the Rev. Del Phillips.  Following these prayers, the names of all those men, women and children who were killed by gun violence since the Sandy Hook massacre on December 14, 2012 were read aloud in a vigil that was scheduled to continue until 12:38 AM the following morning – the exact time that the first shot was fired at the Aurora theater.

As I thought about the juxtaposition of those two events –

                                                             i.      one – saying farewell to a woman who died completely alone,

                                                             ii.      and the other:  remembering the names of those who were victims of gun violence – saying their names out loud…making them public  - 

I realized that both events shared some common themes –

·         The fact that it is important that we remember the names of those who have died, and

·         the fact that too much that happens in our society is ignored – or pushed aside –in particular,  the facts of gun violence that plague our nation.

Here are some statistics:

                                                           iii.      In the 7 months since Sandy Hook, 7167 men, women and children were killed by gun violence

                                                           iv.      183 have died since last Friday

                                                             v.      21 yesterday

                                                           vi.      5 today (as of 3:00) – I’m sure the number has risen since then

I’m sure all of us remember the horror of the events that took place in Aurora one year ago.  We remember how shocked we were – as a community, as a nation.  We remember our anger – our fear – our despair. We wanted to do something, ANYTHING to stop another tragedy from occurring. 

And yet, slowly, for most of us who were not directly affected by the tragedy, our anger dissipated, and our focus shifted.  We saw Sandy Hook and Boston, we saw Trayvon Martin killed and his killer exhonerated – we dealt with our initial shock and anger - and then we went on with our lives.

You see, that’s the trouble with tragedy – it drains us – we can’t be focused on it for too long – it’s too hard – and so, unless wse were directly affected, after the initial pain wears off, we continue with our lives.

But there are moments when we have no choice but to confront the pain, the injustice, the horror of what we try to forget.  Today is such a day.

Today, at the rally of remembrance, I met 4 people who were directly affected by tragedy.

b.      Jane Dougherty, whose sister Mary Sherlach, a psychologist at Sandy Hook Elementary School, was killed in the Newtown shooting,

c.       Carlee Soto, whose sister Victoria, died protecting her 1^st grade students from the gunman,

d.      Tom Sullivan, father of 27-year-old Alex who was killed in the Aurora shooting,

e.       Stephen Barton, survivor of the Aurora theater shooting

 
Each of them told their stories – shared their pain and made the tragedy – the obscenity – of gun violence real in our nation.

Each of them have made it a point to dedicate their lives – and the memories of their loved ones – to ridding our nation of the scourge of gun violence by passing laws that restrict the sale of firearms to those who should not be able to possess them.

There was another aspect of the Rally this afternoon.  There was a counter-protest that took place – sponsored by a group calling itself the Rocky mountain gun owners association.     

 

They  had come to protest the laws passed by our legislature that mandate stricter background checks and the prohibition of the sale of high-capacity gun magazines in Colorado.  They carried signs, waved flags, hoisted images of the constitution and made it clear that no restrictions whatsoever on their rights to bear arms would be tolerated.

I must say, as I saw their signs, and their anger – and I looked at the faces of these people whose lives had been inexorably changed by the tragedy of gun violence, I was disgusted.

And then, I heard the words of the Rev. Del Harris, an African Pastor in Aurora, who gave a powerful prayer after I spoke.  He said that it was inconceivable to him that we, in our nation, are debating the need for gun control.  He said that while our Constitution affirms the right to bear arms, and that this right was sacrosanct, the fact that we are arguing about passing laws to prevent dangerous individuals to be able to possess weapons of mass destruction and limiting the kill power of such weapons just makes common sense.  How is it possible that rational people could not agree on this?

He then began his prayer.  “I’m not going to pray for the victims,” he said.  “Rabbi Black already did that.” “And I’m not going to pray for their families, the injured, the first responders either….Rabbi Black prayed for them as well….I’m going to ask all of you to pray with me.  Pray for those people who cannot see in their hearts that arguing over access to guns is sick.  It is counter-productive.,  It is wrong. Pray for those who are angry – who are scared – who think that their civil liberties are more important than preventing children from being gunned down in the streets.  Pray that they may look deep into their own hearts and see the error of their ways.”

Such a powerful prayer! 

Tonight is called Shabbat NAchamu.  It is the first Shabbat following the fast day of Tisha B’av – the 9^th day of Av.  The word, “Nachamu” means “Take Comfort.”  The words of the prophet Isaiah speak of finding comfort in the aftermath of the destruction of the Temple on the 9^th day of Av.

We need to find comfort in one another.  We need to be able to see the humanity of every human being – to find ways to break through the barriers that divide us – to look at violence as a curse – not a cure.  Even though we might disagree with the politics or the methodolgies of those with whom we disagree, we cannot allow ourselves to lose sight of the holiness implanted within every human being – even if they cannot acknowledge our essential holiness.

Tonight we remember the names of those who have died –who were murdered one year ago – and every day since.  We also remember the name of Charmion Berkeley – who died alone.  Tonight we hold fast to a vision of a better world.  Tonight we remember that every human life is sacred.  As we remember, we pray that the day may come when vigils of remembrance are a thing of the past.  AMEN

A Prayer For the One Year Anniversary of the Aurora Theater Shootings

This afternoon, I participated in an event commemorating the one year anniversary of the Aurora Theater Shootings.  I spoke after the personal testimonies of those impacted by violence:  In Aurora, Sandy Hook and Columbine.  Following our presentations, a vigil began that consisted of reading the names of all those who were killed by guns violence in our country since the Sandy Hook Shootings last December.  The reading of the names will continue until 12:38 AM tomorrow morning - the exact time that the first bullets started flying in the theater.  Here is my prayer:

A Prayer For the One Year Anniversary of the Aurora Theater Shootings

Rabbi Joseph R. Black

Temple Emanuel, Denver, CO

7/19/13

Our God and God of all people:

You created us in Your image –

You give us the ability to see the good in the world – even in the midst of ugliness

You allow us choose how we live our lives…..

 

We have come here, united in grief on this sacred day of remembrance, to pray for Your healing presence.

Be with those whose loved ones were cruelly struck down – in Aurora, in Sandy Hook, in Boston, in Columbine and the countless other places where gun violence stole the lives of innocents.

Help them to find peace – wherever and whenever they can.

Be with those who were wounded– whose lives were changed in an instant and whose bodies will forever bear witness to the bullets and fragments of destruction that tore through flesh and bone.

 

Be with those who witnessed the carnage  –who may have escaped physical harm, but whose emotional and spiritual wounds continue to ache - deep inside their souls.

 

Be with the first responders – the unnamed heroes who risked their lives to save others:  The Police, Firefighters, paramedics, Doctors, nurses, therapists, health care professionals, innocent bystanders and so many others who refused to allow rage and hatred to triumph over decency and human kindness.

This morning we remember.

Today we pledge to ourselves and to one another that in our remembering, we will work to make the world a better place – for all of your creatures.

We crave healing O God.  We want to work with You to build a better world.

WE seek answers, O God:  When will the violence come to an end?

We want to partner with You and with one another to bring peace into the world.

Guide us to see the good in the midst of evil.

Grant us peace – Your most precious gift – and help us to be partners with You in shining the light of peace in the darkest corners of Your creation.

Oseh Shalom Bimromav – He Ya-ahseh Shalom Ahleynu va’l Kol B’nai Adam –

May the One who makes peace in the High Heavens –send peace to us and to all Creation.

And let us say: AMEN

 

George and Trayvon: Reflecting on a verdict: 7/13/13

God, you commanded us to work for justice.
Twice, You said it:  "Justice, Justice shall you pursue."
Help us to understand the power of that pursuit.

Is justice to be found on dampened, darkened streets?
In methodical courtroom questioning?
In screams for help that only mothers can hear?

In our pursuit, are we doing Your holy work or our own?

Perhaps instead of running, we should be talking.
Perhaps instead of shooting we should be seeing.
Perhaps instead of raging we should be remembering......

So many lives lost.
So many futures cut short.

Teach us to see that OUR justice is messy,
Is painful,
Is imperfect.

It is YOUR justice that we cannot see, God-
And yet we continue in our quest.

We are running towards the answer.
We are running away as well.

Sometimes we reach our destination.
Many times we are cut short.
From the pursuit.
By the pursuit.

In the darkened streets of our self-imposed exile
In the bright lights of the courtroom cameras
We cannot see what lies in front of our noses:

Justice is not an end.....
It is only a tool
To try and see
Your reflection
In the frightened eyes
Of our children.

Op-Ed in Opposition to the Death Penalty

Reverend Jim Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Council of Churches and I submitted this Op-Ed this past week to the Denver Post. There is no guarantee that it will be published, so  I wanted it share it on this forum.

Our Faith Directs Us To Support Clemency for Nathan Dunlap By Rabbi Joseph Black and Reverend Dr. Jim Ryan

Op-Ed submitted to the Denver Post- May 2, 2013

For us, as men of God and leaders of our congregations of Colorado faithful, it is deeply troubling that our state may move forward with the execution of Nathan Dunlap. Our calling to serve God involves a responsibility to seek justice, and we must be especially mindful of our role in supporting the poor and the weak, while advocating for fairness for all. Despite his terrible crime and the suffering he caused, we pray that Mr. Dunlap will receive executive clemency and will serve his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
While our faith compels us to reject violence in all forms, we find the death penalty, an act of violence that is premeditated and carried out in our names, particularly abhorrent. We would be remiss in our spiritual commitment if we did not speak out about our belief that Mr. Dunlap’s life should be spared.
We must acknowledge that Mr. Dunlap committed a terrible crime, which may be understood to be an act of evil. We grieve for all the human suffering his actions caused and pray for those he harmed and their families.
To us, as Christians and Jews, as it is for many faithful people of other spiritual traditions as well, all life is sacred. We believe profoundly in the sanctity of all life, and we understand that through God’s love and generosity, the opportunity for God’s forgiveness, and the ability to find God’s way, is ever present so long any human being may seek it. This possibility for redemption, even for the worst sinners, is one of God’s deepest mysteries and gifts to us.
That we are loved by God despite our sins and errors is the miracle of our faith, which sustains us. God loves us with such generosity that we must be ever mindful of what is asked of us in return, that we act in mercy and fairness towards one another. Because of this, we share concerns with other people of faith about the fairness of capital punishment in Colorado.
While our concerns about the death penalty are primarily moral concerns, we take note of concerns raised by others about the fairness of the death penalty in Colorado. Colorado’s death row is comprised solely of African-American men despite the fact that African-Americans are a racial minority in Colorado, making up less than 5% of our population. Additionally, all the men on death row were prosecuted by a single county, Arapahoe. In fact, they all attended the very same high school.
We wonder about the fairness of Colorado’s use of the death penalty when it is directed so decidedly towards only one group of prisoners. As Colorado, like other states, continues to wrestle with our nation’s history of racial injustice, we must ensure that our desire for justice and our faith in the law are never at odds.
Our moral responsibility to our congregations and to all our fellow citizens is to strive to live in accordance with our own inner holiness. We work to make our society civilized, just, and merciful. We cannot condone or accept the execution of any person in our names. Such an execution would coarsen us and corrode our civic morality.
As men of faith, we are commanded to speak out when we see injustice in our world. Because of this spiritual commitment, we respectfully ask Governor Hickenlooper to commute Nathan Dunlap’s sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. We strongly believe this is the merciful, moral, and just action, which is in accordance with the teachings of our faiths.

Reverend Dr. Jim Ryan is the Executive Director of the Colorado Council of Churches Rabbi Joseph Black is the Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanuel, Denver

A Prayer in the Aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing

Our God who dwells in the highest heights and in the souls of our feet:

We find You in the passion of those who delight in testing and celebrating the power of their bodies:

·    The runners who push themselves to find new challenges in the rhythm of the road and the camaraderie of the race;

·    The doctors, medics, police, fire fighters and bystanders whose dedication to humanity drives them to run into the fray - towards the bruised and bloodied bodies in the streets.

On this day of destruction, we need to remember that the race is not for the swift[i]; there is no finish line for those who seek a better world.
Neither bombs, nor blood, not death, nor destruction can deter us from running, O God.
We run to You.
We run towards a vision of perfection that is always in our sights.
We run determined to never allow hatred to obscure Your presence.
We run to build a better world.
Be with those who have lost loved ones on this tragic day.
Send comfort and healing to the injured and the maimed.
Heal them – heal us all – body and soul – as we strive to find You.
Give us hope.
Help us to use our arms, our legs, our breath, our determination to unite in a common purpose.
In our grief may we find the strength to keep on running.

AMEN

 

 

 

---

[i] Ecclesiastes 9:11

A Prayer in the Shadow of Violence: Invocation for the CO State House 3/21/13

A Prayer in the Shadow of Violence:

Invocation for the CO State House

March 21, 2013

Rabbi Joseph R. Black

Our God and God of all people,

We are weeping here in Colorado- can You hear us?

Once again, our State is reeling from a senseless act of brutality.  We mourn the loss of Tom Clements, director of the Colorado Department of Corrections – who was shot and killed this past Tuesday night at his home.

Whatever the circumstances surrounding this tragedy may come to be, we feel powerless and angry as, once again we confront the reality of a seemingly endless spiral of violence that plagues our communities: from Columbine, to Aurora and now, to Monument.

Here – in this chamber, the debates over gun control and violence prevention have  raged.  New laws have been enacted and signed replete with controversy. 

On our streets - tempers have flared.  Accusations have been bandied about.

But nothing has changed – if anything, the increasingly hostile rhetoric - within these walls, in the press and in public - has served to fan the flames of passion on all sides.

And so we pray:  Help us to channel our grief O God.

Give us the strength to feel shocked, angered, and resolute in our determination to forge partnerships and paths that might lead to hope and healing.

We know that there is no simple solution – and yet we also cannot rest while murder and bloodshed become commonplace on our streets, in our schools, our public places and our homes.

Let these legislators serve as role models - as beacons of balance as they labor to bring about a new era of tolerance and tenacity.   

Let them see the good in one another and put an end to the demonization of both person and party that leaches into the hearts and minds of our citizens.

At this sad and somber time we pray that any conflicts that arise during the course of deliberation might serve to elevate the sacred in our souls. 

May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to You O God – our Rock and our Redeemer[i].

Amen

---

[i] Psalm 19:14

Testimony Against the Death Penalty in Colorado

This afternoon, I will be testifying before the Colorado House Judiciary Committee about my support of House Bill --  HB 1264, Repeal of the Death Penalty.  Below is the text of my remarks:

 

Statement on Capital Punishment

Rabbi Joseph R. Black

Colorado House Judiciary Committee

March 19, 2013

 

As a Rabbi, as a Jew, as a person of faith, I am taught to see the holy in every human being.  I believe, with all my heart and soul that God has placed all of us here for a reason – and that reason is to make the world a better place. 

There is evil in this world.  We have seen it – many of us here today have experienced it first hand.  There are bad people in this world.  They commit horrible crimes.  For me, the central issue is surrounding the death penalty revolves not around how we see the most evil elements of society - but how we perceive ourselves. Are we going to allow our fear of crime, our desire for vengeance, our bottom line mentality to govern how we conduct ourselves?  Capital punishment is a quick fix - it may be popular with voters – it may make some people feel that “something is being done” - but ultimately, I believe that it lessens our own humanity when we take the life of another person.

Today you will hear about moral, economic, psychological and legal reasons why the death penalty should be abolished.  These are all valid and important.  But my reasons for opposing it are based on my understanding of myself and all of us as spiritual beings.

Those who have committed atrocities need to be punished.  There are some men and women who, as a result of their crimes, cannot be a part of a civilized society.  But, I firmly believe, one of the prices of being “civilized” is taking on a responsibility to act in a way that is consistent with our own internal holiness.

All religious traditions teach that one day humanity will be judged.  I believe that our judgment will not merely revolve around how we treated the best elements of our society – but how we treated the worst elements of our society.  The price we pay for living in a civilized, moral community is living with the fact that we cannot totally eliminate evil.  But we can assert that we will not allow ourselves to stoop to the level of those who wreak havoc, fear and despair in our lives.  We should not allow ourselves to become like them.

While the Bible certainly makes provisions for Capital punishment, over the centuries, the ancient and modern Rabbis of my tradition have nullified these laws and made it virtually impossible to implement the Death Penalty. 

The only time that the Israeli court system ever instituted the death penalty was in 1962 – when Adolph Eichman  – the architect of the Nazi Final solution – was put to death - and even his execution was highly controversial and is being debated to this day.

In the book of Genesis we learn that we are all created in the Image of God.  There is a spark of holiness inside every human being. All life is holy - even that of the most damaged and evil members of our society. When we take a life - whether that life has committed murder or not - we are diminishing the image of God.  Yes, the murderer has done the same - but the fact that we claim to be a moral society calls us to rise above our desire for vengeance and understand that one act of murder does not make up for another.

Killing human beings can never be justified as a just punishment for who are we to act in God’s stead?

Thank you for your consideration.