Yesterday, we commemorated Yom Hashoa. We mourned and cried together as we heard powerful memories from survivors Mary Erlich, Meira Davidi, Harvey Lewin and Joyce Levin. We stood with the children of survivors, and children of our congregation, as they lit candles for our precious 6 million souls. Every year, on Yom Hashoa, we hear the stories and commit to remembering them and passing them on to others. We show netzah she’ be gevurah, determination within discipline, by holding fast to these memories, and honouring our survivors year after year. We will not stop. We will persist in reminding the world of what humanity is capable of. We will continue to model resiliency in the face of hatred, hope in the face of fear, faith despite prejudice and a love of our Judaism as an antidote to anti-semitism. Despite their suffering and terrible losses, our survivors taught us last night that one must ‘never lose ourselves, our dancing or our singing’, (Harvey Lewin); never stop asking ‘why and how could this happen’ (Joyce Levin); and always appreciate those non-Jews who stand by our side against hatred and evil (Mary Erlich and Meira Davidi). Their commitment to Mishkan Tefila, and Jewish life as a whole is a model of netzah she’ be’ gevurah, consistent, constant devotion to our people.
May God bless them, and all our people, with life, healing and comfort. Nachamu, Nachamu my people. May God bring comfort to all who mourn, and strength to all of us.
