A Prayer for the Dead
of Tree of Life Congregation
by Rabbi Naomi Levy
We are devastated, God,
Our hearts are breaking
In this time of shock and mourning.
The loss is overwhelming.
Send comfort and strength, God,
To grieving family members.
Send healing to the injured,
Send strength and wisdom
to their doctors and nurses.
Bless the courageous police officers who risked their lives
To protect innocent lives.
Shield us from despair, God,
Ease our pain.
Let our fears give way to hope.
Lead us to join together as a nation
To put an end to anti-Semitism,
An end to hatred,
An end to gun violence.
Teach us, God, to honor the souls we have lost
By raising our hands
and voices together
In the cause of peace.
Because Torah is a Tree of Life
And all its paths are peaceful.
Work through us, God.
Turn our helplessness into action.
Teach us to believe that we can
rise up from this tragedy
And banish the hate
that is tearing our world apart.
We must never be indifferent
to the plight of any who suffer.
We must learn to care,
To open our hearts
and open our hands.
Innocent blood is calling out to us.
God of the brokenhearted,
God of the living, God of the dead,
Gather the souls of the victims
Into Your eternal shelter.
Let them find peace
in Your presence, God.
Their lives have ended
But their lights
can never be extinguished.
May they shine on us always
And illuminate our way.
Amen.
Our hearts are with the families who are suffering in Pittsburgh. As we continue with our normal activities and services on Sunday and throughout the week, we will be mourning those who lost their lives.
During Minhah-Ma'ariv-Havdalah, we acknowledged this tragedy with heartfelt thoughts expressed in readings, prayers and comments.
In the next couple of days we will have a security/police presence. In the longer term we will implement a security presence that is increased and meets our needs.
We will be strong and our AJ family and Old York Road community will continue to send love and prayers those in need.
Rabbi Barry Kenter, Hazzan Howard Glantz, David Reibstein,
and Judy Izes
PLEASE NOTE: Beth Sholom will not hold Sunday evening services tonight. After the vigil at KI, there will be a Ma'ariv service there.
