September 11: Comments Shared by Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton at the Interfaith Prayer Service, Sept. 13, 2001

In Judaism, when a person is buried, their mourners continue the process of mourning and grieving by reciting the kaddish prayer over the next year, and, after that, on specific liturgical dates.

Paradoxically, the kaddish makers no mention of death. It is a doxology, in which we proclaim, our awareness of holiness. We assert that awareness precisely in the moment of loss, even as we mourn our loved ones.

The Jewish tradition also mandates that this prayer must be said in a prayer quorum, that a minimum of 10 must be gathered together in order to recite this text aloud. We can't do it alone, the tradition teaches, we need the support of a minyan.

Through this custom, we don't deny the loss, or diminish private sorrow, but rather assert that there is something powerful in unity, in community. Perhaps even that it is in community that we fully manifest the holiness that we proclaim.

This is what I understand about our gathering this evening. That through our commitment to, or upbringing in, a particular faith tradition, we come together to proclaim the universal power of community, of connection, of acknowledging our shared humanity, our shared fate as mortal beings.

At dawn, life blossoms up and renews itself, at dusk, it withers and dries up, says the Psalmist, who goes on to say, as if someone was about to protest against the dreary inevitability of that day… teach us to measure each day, that we may open our hearts to wisdom.

By measure, our count, I feel the Psalmist wants more from us - treasure, celebrate, cherish.

This is what I can bring here tonight from my tradition - and it is the most that I can hope to fully absorb myself - we must cherish each other, cherish our commonality, cherish the values of this country that celebrates diversity, pluralism, democracy and difference.

In the face of the attacks we have sustained, I seek counsel and guidance from these words of Torah - tzedek tzedek tirdof. Justice, justice shall you pursue.

The word for justice is repeated, lest we pursue that goal only at first glance, only lightly, only when it is easiest. We must retain a fierce commitment to assert our values, our vision of justice, and peace, everywhere we can, for if we withdraw from that pursuit, we add to the power of those whose views are so inimical to ours, as Americans, and as people of faith.

I began by speaking of the Kaddish, and I close with a story that refers to the Kedushah, another prayer Jews recite only in a quorum.

A group of learned men came to visit the Kotzker rebbe. He
surprised them with what they took to be a basic question: "Ayey m'kom kevodo? What place could contain God's holiness?" They laughed and responded by quoting the Kedushah: "Melo kol ha'aretz kevodo. Is not the whole world full of God's glory?" Menachem Mendel answered his own question: "God dwells wherever humanity lets God in."

May this week's tragedy lead us, as one, to nurture holiness, wholeness and blessing in our lives.

September 11: Message from Rabbi Bolton to Beit Tikvah Members, The World Is A Narrow Bridge

As the country is reeling from the unspeakable events of this morning, I am sending out a quick message via this medium.

Regarding High Holy Day services, and all other synagogue activities, I will
be in touch with the appropriate local leaders to determine what, if any,
security approaches we might need to consider at Beit Tikvah, so if you have any concerns in this area, rest assured that they will be addressed.

As far as the emotional impact of these events on us, our families,
communities, and country, there are some immediate things I can suggest that we all do:

- tell someone near you that you love them, appreciate them, are glad you are with them;

- as the day unfolds, and you begin to feel overwhelmed by the implications
of these acts, focus in on one little aspect of your "world" - a flower or plant, a marvelous new endeavor or success - and quietly acknowledge what
it brings to you, and what it might lead you towards.

Members should feel free to be in touch with me directly if you have any personal concerns.

As we sing in the song "Kol Ha-olam Kulo"
The entire world is a narrow bridge
Ve-ka-ikar - and the most important thing ..... says Rebbe Nahman
lo lefahed klal - is not to fear at all.

May the Almighty comfort all families tragically and indelibly scorched by
this unspeakable crime.