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

[Jann McGuire]

Thank you. Sorrowfully, add Thousand Oaks.

Love

Jann

On Mon, Nov 5, 2018 at 10:00 PM Mary Kurian D'Souza via OE <
oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

> 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…
>>
>>
>>
>> <http://r.search.aol.com/_ylt=AwrJ6wrgqeBbVYEA7P9jCWVH;_ylu=X3oDMTIycm41c2VtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZANhZDA3OTQ0ODU3MmIzYjE3MDZmYmRiM2ZiYjlmNWNjZgRncG9zAzkEaXQDYmluZw--/RV=2/RE=1541479009/RO=11/RU=https%3a%2f%2ftherabbiisin.files.wordpress.com%2f2013%2f12%2fhavdalahflame.jpg/RK=0/RS=boI6hMxiF0iXll2narrMmyfqaqs->
>>
>>
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