[Oe List ...] A Reflection: Havdalah of Hope

[Mary Kurian D'Souza]

Thank you dear Ellie

On Tue, Nov 6, 2018 at 2:08 AM Ellie Stock via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
wrote:

> Hi Folks,
>
> Below and attached (whichever works) is a reflection:  Havdalah of Hope,
> written after participating in the Havdalah of Hope Service at the B'nai
> Amoona Congregation Saturday evening to remember those killed at the Tree
> of Life Synagogue.
>
> Ellie
> elliestock at aol.com
>
>
> HAVDALAH OF HOPE
>
> One flaming candle,
> multiple wicks burning as one,
> light from many candles woven together
> shines boldly beyond a single capacity…
>
> This night,
> bidding farewell to Shabbat
> and welcoming the new week,
> Havdalah candle’s brilliance
> is now surrounded by a circle of eleven candles,
> light resurrected from life snuffed out
> at the Tree of Life Synagogue,
> (a sign in front reading, *Love your neighbor, no exceptions*)
> brothers and sisters, kindred souls, part of Creation’s family
> surging before, behind, above, below, around, within
> and connecting us all in
> the great animal, vegetable, and mineral TREE OF LIFE.
>
> This night the yarmulked, prayer-shawed,
> clergy-collared, kufi-hatted, seculared,
> (witnessed by the uniformed and plain-clothed guardians)
> men, women, and children, wearing
> gold (not sewn Star of David)
> *No Place for Hate *paper lapel stickers,
> circle the encircled candle,
> a beautiful solemn assembly,
> arms weaving through each other,
> swaying, gently, rhythmically as one,
> tears swelling, flowing,
> but not quenching the light,
> listening as
> the lilting angelic voice of  the cantor
> swirls like creation, through and around them,
> *Eliyahu Hanavi…Elijah the prophet*…
> *Bimhera B’yameinu yavo eleinu*…
> *Come speedily and in our day*…
> And soon the voices of all become
> one with the one, one with the One,
> praying, praising, imploring, blessing,
> trusting that
> *dovka—*“in spite of” they’ll never
> stop dancing, trying to make
> the world the way it needs to be.
>
> And, in Spirit, this circle is
> surrounded and also lighted by
> candles of Charleston, Parkland,
> Sandy Hook, Columbine,
> Laramie, Orlando,
> Ferguson, Charlottesville, Tallahassee
> Selma, Birmingham,
> Wounded Knee, Sarajevo,
> Kristallnacht,
> Auschwitz and Buchenwald…
> an eternal circle, too many to name,
> but this day must not forget,
> their blood spilled, victims of
> the violence of hatred, prejudice,
> systemic racism,
> cultural and religious bigotry.
>
> But this day these diverse souls,
> neighbors in humanity and creation,
> will not forget
> *L’Simcha*, Tree of Life but
> *dovka*, will move on in hope—
> Hope beyond hopes,
> and weaving arms once more for
> the final song and prayer,
> of healing and peace,
> bid each other
> *Shavuah Tov, *A Good Week!—
> knowing their combined brightness
> is stronger than the darkness of hate—
> and, as, in all Jewish communities,
> they enjoy food and drink together
> and then depart
> into a cloudy night,
> stars and firey fall leaves hidden,
> but healing hearts rekindled by
> love and *shalom.*
>
>
> ejhs
> 11/05/18
>
>
>
> *When Evil Darkens Our World*
> By Chaim Stern
>
> When evil darkens our world, let us be the bearers of light.
> When fists are clenched in self-righteous rage, let our hands be open for
> the sake of peace.
> When injustice slam the door on the ill, the poor, the old, and the
> stranger, let us pry the doors
>             open.
>
> Where shelter is lacking, let us be builders.
> Where food and clothing are needed, let us be providers.
> Where knowledge is denied, let us be champions of learning.
>
> When dissent is stifled, let our voices speak truth to power.
> When Earth and its creatures are threatened, let us be their guardians.
> When bias, greed, and bigotry erode our country’s values, let us proclaim
> liberty throughout the
>             Land.
>
> In the places where no one acts like a human being,
> let us bring courage;
> let us bring compassion;
> let us bring humanity.
>
> *Olam Chesed Yibaneh*
> By Rabbi Menachem Creditor
>
> I will build this world from love…
> You must build this world from love…
> If we build this world from love…
> Then God will build this world from love…
>
>
>
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>
>
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