Solidarity Shabbat
Temple
Emmanuel of Wakefield
November
2, 2018
Dear
friends in faith and community,
It
is an honor and a privilege to be with you here on this special, sacred, holy
evening, as we remember, pray, and support one another in our grief and shock,
and also in our love and resolve.
That
so many of us are here from our diverse backgrounds, religious perspectives,
and political affiliations proves, I believe, that what unites us—our common
faith in the God who created and loves each one of us, our respect and even
love for the wondrous diversity in our midst, and our hope for a future less
divided—are bright lights shining in a world and nation that some days seem
very dark indeed. The world, the nation, and Wakefield itself need this light,
the light that God shines on the world through us, together.
A
week ago many of us here tonight gathered at the other Emmanuel in town—my own
church—to support each other following the devastating loss of the First
Baptist Church building. As horrific as the fire was—and it was horrific,
standing there with Pastors Norman Bendroth and Glenn Mortimer watching
helplessly as the fire consumed the building, and as much as its loss leaves a massive
crater in the center of Wakefield—we can be relieved that no one was seriously injured,
thanks to our police and firefighters. The fire was contained to just the
church building.
Our brothers
and sisters at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh can’t say the same. Their
loss took beloved family and friends—who were fun and funny, passionate and
faithful, lovers of God and lovers of God’s people. These beautiful, unique,
wonderful people can never be replaced, and neither should they be forgotten.
As
it happens, in Christian churches today, November 2, is traditionally observed
as the Feast of All Souls, when we remember and pray for those who have died
and now live in the fullness of God’s embrace. The eleven faithful Jewish martyrs
killed on Saturday are surely among them—living at the center of God’s heart. And
there, from God’s heart, they are urging us to be people of faith and love for
each other. I know that because that’s how they lived.
The
brothers, Cecil and David Rosenthal, were fixtures at the Tree of Life
Synagogue. They usually sat at the back and welcomed visitors. They were like
ambassadors, friends said. Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz was a well-respected neighborhood
family physician who, in the 1980s, was unafraid to treat gay men who had
contracted HIV. When others rejected them, including their own families, Dr.
Rabinowitz cared for them and showed love and compassion. One former patient
said that Dr. Rabinowitz was known to hold patients hands—without gloves—and embrace
them when they left his office, providing human touch to people who were often isolated
and alone.
Melvin
Wax loved his grandson, his religion, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was always
full of jokes. He was 87 and regularly the first to arrive for Friday evening
and Saturday morning Sabbath services. Friends kidded him that he should have
been a rabbi. Rose Malinger was 97, the oldest of those killed, and she loved
her family above all else. She was the epitome of the caring grandmother, even
at 97 preparing family feasts for the High Holy Days.
That’s
just five stories out of eleven. Together, from the other side of eternity,
they teach us how to live.
In
my sermon on Sunday, preached following the fire at First Baptist Church and
the day after the Tree of Life shooting, I said that God doesn’t give us
buildings—however majestic they may be. They are the work of our hands and our
imaginations. But God does give us each other, friends, family, neighbors, of
different races and colors, traditions and backgrounds—Jewish, Christian,
Muslim, Buddhist, gay and straight, Democrats and Republicans. God gives us
each other to love, to heal, to care for. God gives us each other to hold, to
dry each other’s tears, and to make us whole again. We can be that for each
other. We need to be that for each other. Right here in this town. This is our
time.
May
God bless you and us all as we love one another.
The Rev. Matthew P. Cadwell, PhD
Chair, Wakefield Interfaith Clergy Association
Rector, Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Wakefield
