Prayer Vigil in Seattle for Abducted Teens
The horrific kidnapping of Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaer, and Eyal Yifrach has ripped a psychic hole in the fabric of the communal Jewish soul. Parents are hugging their children a little tighter and holding on a little longer – while pangs of guilt creep in with the knowledge that three sets of parents are missing the touch of their own children for yet another night. The waves of grief have reached every corner of the Jewish world, including here in Seattle, WA where the community gathered in prayer for the speedy and safe return of the abducted teens.
Hundreds filled the sanctuary of Congregation Ezra Bessaroth in prayer and to send a message to the stricken families, that even from across the globe, we stand with you in unity and we will not be complete until your families are once again complete.
Rabbi Ron-Ami Meyers of Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, flanked by communal religious leaders gave a short inspirational address. He noted that our success and tranquility as a Jewish people is dependent on unity.
Rabbi Meyers evoked Harav Aharon Lichtenstein, relating that while we cannot know the ways of the Lord, in such circumstances we can increase our mitzvot, eliminate idle gossip and increase our level of study.
Rabbi Meyers noted that NCSY and the Orthodox Union has established a Virtual Vigil to help us in this endeavor.
Rabbi Meyers closed by urging strong attendance at an additional Vigil for the kidnapped teens to be held at the SJCC on Mercer Island at noon on Wednesday, June 18th.
Will there be a prayer vigil for the 196 Palestinian children in Israeli prisons?
Yes, right after you organize a prayer vigil for the 61,000 children in American prisons.
I just find it ironic how Israel is tearing the West Bank apart to search for 3 settler children when Israel itself regularly imprisons Palestinian children, in clear violation of the Geneva Conventions. The Israeli government and military should look into the mirror, because the only terrorists are not sitting on the other side of the ‘security’ wall.
Methinks somebody spends too much time with Richard Silverstein 🙂