Dear Friends,

Today we look south to the destruction and devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti. We mourn the excruciating loss of those who perished. We pray that those who search for missing loved ones be sustained with courage and hope. May those who have lost so much find the strength and have the resources to rebuild their lives. It will not be without our help.

My colleague Rabbi Zoe Klein writes: May our support be evidence of hope. May our empathy lead loved ones to cope. May our love be wings with shelter beneath. May our tears wash, soothe and soften the grief.

The Talmud teaches: Lo alecha hamlacha ligmor. You are not responsible to complete the work. V’lo atah ben chorin l’hevateyl mimenah, and you are not free to refrain. We are responsible to do our part in tending to peoples’ brokenness; restoring hope and dignity and life. We are told at the wedding to weave the shattering sound of broken glass, of broken life, into our consciousness, as a reminder of our part in restoring wholeness and hope.

This is at the heart of Jewish practice: a Torah of caring and doing that leads to tikkun olam: restoring hope and some semblance of wholeness to shattered lives. This is at the heart of spiritual practice: to stand with the other at the abyss and to let them know they are not alone.

The American Jewish World Service is working directly with its partners on the ground in Haiti. We have created a special page on their website where you can support their activities as a member of Kerem Shalom. Our tzedaka as a community brings Kerem Shalom’s compassion to all the people there. Please visit http://action.ajws.org/goto/keremshalom, and support the effort we are making together as a synagogue by contributing what you can. Making a difference begins with you and me together.
 
Thank you,

Rabbi Michael Luckens