Temple Gates of Prayer- Rabbi Thaler's Message

FOR ZION'S SAKE I WILL NOT BE SILENT

FOR JERUSALEM'S SAKE I WILL NOT BE STILL- ISAIAH 62:1

From the Rabbi's Desk..

     In June of 1944, I was just about ready to begin studying for my Bar Mitzvah. Although only twelve years of age. I was very much aware of the systematic annihilation of European Jewry. In school we heard that a few Nazi guards could be bribed and would allow some Jews to escape from one of the camps. Classes at the Yeshiva were cancelled and we were sent out to collect money to help pay for these bribes. For several days we canvassed office buildings in Manhattan going from door to door asking for help to save a few precious Jewish souls. As the war wore on, I remember the air raid blackouts and the collections of scrap metal for America’s war effort. Several of my older cousins went off to war and I, vicariously, went along with them. There were times when I would look out from the window of our apartment to stare at the gold star pendant displayed in the window opposite ours. A gold star signified that a soldier in that family had been killed in action. The parents were called gold star parents. I also remember the anticipation with which we listened to the radio for news of the allied invasion of Europe which had begun on June 6, 1944.
     Sixty-five years have passed since D-Day. This summer I was able to realize a long held desire to visit the beaches of Normandy. The landings at Normandy marked the beginning of the end of World War II leading ultimately to the defeat of Germany. Although the Germans were surprised by the landings at Normandy, the Allied Forces met fierce resistance with a staggering loss of life. There are ten thousand graves in the American cemetery at Omaha Beach. It is a beautiful cemetery, although I hesitate to use the word beautiful when referring to a cemetery. The silence is profound and I stood in absolute awe looking at a sea of white crosses with an occasional Magen David marking the grave of a soldier who was Jewish. I noticed that each Magen David had a few small pebbles on it indicating that someone had visited. I was speechless, but the pebbles spoke volumes.
     Some things at Normandy are incongruous. At Juno Beach for example, there are fast food shops and souvenir stands. Children were making sand pies and families were picnicking on a beach that was once drenched with blood. In the water remnants of concrete breakers bear silent witness to the events of D-Day. Yet another puzzling site was “The Golf Club at Omaha Beach.”
     World War I was meant to be the war to end all wars. Since then however, America has fought in World War II, in Korea and Viet Nam while American soldiers are still dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. If we are not fighting totalitarianism, we are struggling against some other form of extremism be it radical religious or national fundamentalism. The ancient lament of the prophet could very well be ours. He cried “Peace! Peace! But there is no peace”. A new year will soon begin. May it bring peace for America, for Israel and for all of God’s children.
     Shana Tova.
     Rabbi Albert Thaler

[Daily Services][ Rabbi Thaler's Message] [Upcoming Events]
[Adult Education Classes] [Israel Links]] [Men's Club Events] [Sisterhood Events]
[Officers] [Simchas] [Directions]