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Suggestions for a Jewish individual/family response to the tragedy of
September 11.
- Light a Yizkor candle on the morning of Wednesday,
September 11, 2002 (not the evening before) as close to 7:45-8:00 a.m. as
possible.
- Recite Psalms. It is our custom to recite Psalms for
people who are in danger or pain. Traditionally recited are from Psalm 6, 9,
13, 17, 22, 23, 25, 30, 31, 32, 37, 49, 90, 91, 102, 103, 104, 118, 119, 142,
143]
- Recite a Mishebeirakh prayer for a “Refuah Shlaimah”
(complete recovery) in general terms for survivors of the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon–and for the healing of the families who lost loved ones.
- Study Mishnah. It is our custom to study a chapter of
Mishnah in memory of people who have died. Join the Conservative Movement
program of study in English at MishnahYomit@uscj.org.
- Recite Yizkor. Remain in the Yizkor service on Yom
Kippur and Shemini Atzeret in the sanctuary.
- Donate a pint of blood to support life-saving efforts.
Giving blood is tantamount to “saving a life” which is among the highest
values of Judaism.
A Prayer for September 11, 2001
Lord,
Source of Life, Creator of all flesh,
from out of the depths we call unto you.
Protect us from the hand of all our enemies.
Comfort Your children who now stand alone
without parent or brother or sister or child.
Strengthen us to stand with those orphaned by this attack
on our country.
This country, our country, shelter of peace to the
downtrodden
which has gathered in millions of the peoples of the
world
stands as a beacon of light and justice,
but today is dimmed with horror and tragedy.
New York and Washington, shining cities,
Diminished like Jerusalem after the destruction of the
holy Temple,
need your comfort, and our aid;
help us to maintain our courage and our efforts to
support our people.
Strengthen the hands of those who defend this country,
and those who try to maintain peace against these
attacks.
Teach us to speak to our children
with love and support and courage and understanding,
for we are all fearful, although their fears may not be
our fears.
Gain for us a heart of wisdom,
that we may act out of compassion and thoughtfulness,
and not out of anger or prejudice.
Accept with mercy our prayers for our country and
its government, for its president, judges, officials and
institutions who faithfully toil for the good of our
country.
May they, with Your guidance, lead us back to lives
of peace in a land we have come to love.
-Jeffrey A. Spitzer
Untitled
On Monday we e-mailed jokes...On Tuesday we did not.
On Monday we thought that we were secure...On Tuesday we
learned better.
On Monday, we were irritated that our rebate checks had
not arrived...On Tuesday we gave money to people we had never met.
On Monday people argued with their kids about picking up
their room...On Tuesday, the same people could not get home fast enough to hug
their kids.
On Monday people were upset that they had to wait 6
minutes for fast food in a drive-thru lane...On Tuesday people didn’t care
about waiting up to 6 hours to give blood.
On Monday there were people trying to separate others by
race, sex, color and creed...On Tuesday they were all holding hands.
On Monday we were men or women, black or white, old or
young, rich or poor, gay or straight...On Tuesday we were Americans.
On Monday politicians argued about budget surpluses...On
Tuesday they sang ‘God Bless America’.
On Monday we had families...On Tuesday we had orphans.
On Monday people went to work as usual...On Tuesday they
died.
-Anonymous
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