I spend most of my working life at Shul. It’s my job as Hazzan at Congregation Beth Am Israel. And most of my time at Shul, that is, during services at least, is spent facing the entrance of our Sanctuary. And yes, the thought crosses my mind from time to time: “What would I do if…?” It’s not an altogether pleasant thought, but it also doesn’t overwhelm my ability to be present in leading the service. I certainly found myself thinking that this week, but the truth is, it’s now part of how I think about a lot of parts of my life: flying after 9/11, sending my kids to school after another school shooting, thinking about my friends of different faiths after an attack on their faith’s house of worship. It’s a part of life, a sad one, but not a new or unfamiliar one.
Throughout this pandemic I have taken great comfort in the prayer, “Kol haolam kulu, gesher tzar me’od, v’haikar, lo lefached klal”. It means, “The whole world is a narrow bridge, the essential thing is not to let fear overwhelm you.” That prayer was written hundreds of years ago by Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav. It would be all too easy to let the fear of any number of things overwhelm. And yet, this prayer reminds me of what I can and cannot control, what I have to simply let float down the river and what stuff I need to pay closer attention to.
The phrase of the moment seems to be, ‘situational awareness’. Great. I do that already. When I cross the street, drive my car, get on an airplane and for many years now, when I’m at shul. Years ago our leadership at BAI voted to have security at every service and every time our students are in the building. That was not an easy decision as it meant curtailing some of the open door-ness that we hold as a value. But sometimes other values, like safety, take precedent. I am grateful for our leadership and our security team, for our strong relationships with the Lower Merion Police and deep ties to the many faith communities who we partner with every day.
I’ll be at shul tonight, and tomorrow morning and throughout the week and months and years to come. I look forward to seeing you and being with you, wherever you are, whenever you are.
Shabbat Shalom
Hazzan Harold
