Horror

We are glued to the news today, watching the unfolding of a horrific story of a shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut.  With each report, we shudder anew and pray, it can't possibly be that terrible - and then the next report is even worse.  A K-4 school: children ages 5 to 10.  Babies. Barely begun to learn about the world around them and the worlds within them.  Mowed down. Snatched from this earth, leaving parents and siblings bereft and confused and heartbroken.

How can this be? How can this happen?  It is incomprehensible.

Godspeed, children.  Our thoughts are with your families as they face this unimaginable nightmare.

At the rising of the sun and at its going down,
We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and the chill of the winter,
We remember them.
At the opening of the Buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of Autumn,
We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live,
For they are now part of us as we remember them.

When lost and sick at heart,
We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share,
We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make,
We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs,
We remember them.
As long as we live they too will live,
For they are now a part of us as we remember them.

- Rabbis Sylvan Kamens and Jack Riemer