I have decided to open the doors of TBS this Wednesday night at 7pm for an hour or so to enable the congregation and our fellow Jews to come together as a community to share feelings about the tragic loss of life and our shattered peace of mind due to the Tree of Life shooting incident.

My agenda is very simple: I will have lit candles, one for each of the 11 newly departed souls, set in a basin of sand. I will also have additional candles for individuals to light. Some prayer prompts will be available for those who need a little help, but of course, words of the heart are always the best utterances in times like this.

My reason for opening the shul on a weeknight is simple. The community needs a safe place to express their anger, grief, disbelief, fear and ancestral memory.  We need a place to come, if you will, in fellowship and camaraderie, to speak and to listen to those of us who are stirred in ways that are very difficult to articulate. I like to think that our shul is a safe haven, a place where all feel welcome to share their thoughts and worries without feeling judged or embarrassed. In other words, we will have an evening of spiritual support.

I look forward to seeing you at 7pm this Wednesday night.