Dear all,
50. I woke up this morning with the number 50 on my mind.
Today is the festival of Shavuot. It marks 50 days since Passover. Each of those days we take account of that which is meaningful in our lives.
But as the devastating news of the massacre in Orlando unfolded, the meaning of 50 shifted. (As I write, 50 are reported murdered and 53 wounded in the worst mass shooting on US soil – taking place in a Gay night club).
I'm not trying to imbue meaning in this horrific event. But I can't help but think that each of those precious lives, like each of the days between our festivals, held so much promise, so much light.
When hate exists against one group, it exists against all groups.
And so we stand together in solidarity, pride, sorrow, and integrity.
We are Jews. We are LGBTQ. We are United.
Each soul counts for so much.
May the survivors find strength. May the mourners be comforted. And may we all hold close the people we love.
Yitgadal v'yitkadash..
With all my love,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
