Anne Frank wrote: “It’s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.”
I thought of Anne Frank’s words this morning as I learned about the horrific shooting in Denver. While I don’t usually blog during the summer, I was moved to share her words with you today. I too believe that “in spire of everything…people are truly good at heart.” What happened in Denver last night is a reminder to us all that evil does exist in this world. Experts will try to explain why the gunman did what he did. Reporters will shed some light on his personality. But, when it comes down to it, this individual’s actions were obscene. As of right now, it appears that he acted alone. While a nightmare for all directly involved, this was an isolated incident. “I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.”
How do we respond to this tragedy? We count our blessings. We believe in all that is good in this world. We don’t live in fear. We comfort our children by reminding them that we are protecting them. At the same time, we insist that security in public places be increased. We learn from our Israeli brothers and sisters that there are people and groups out there that are determined to crush our ideals, dreams and hopes. But, like those in Israel, we must be committed to insuring that these individuals and groups do not succeed. And, to show our commitment, we must go to the movies in the very near future. We must show each other that life goes on and goodness ultimately prevails. And we must show our kids that Batman’s words, “in the end, veracity and rectitude always triumph,” are not just words said in the movies – they are words that we believe in.
As a community, we offer our condolences to those who lost loved ones last night. We offer prayers of healing to those who were injured physically, mentally and spiritually. Please keep them all in your thougths and prayers.
Shabbat Shalom
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We have since learned that the suspect, James Holmes, is a PhD candidate at Univ of Colorado in NueroScience. Another example of a brilliant person lacking the ability to use his right brain in controlling emotions as are most left brain dominate people.