With make-up and hair in place I dressed for a blessed day for Liam’s right of passage. With a lingering picture of the first glimpse of him 13 years ago I entered the shul carrying that memory in the forefront of my mind. This beautiful baby boy was about to ritualistically come of age. Yes indeed I was kvelling. With luck and determination I’ve come to know this young man in an intimate and charming way. I just love him.
Dearest Liam a beautiful baby now on the bema making us beam with pride. He lead the congregation in prayer with a full heart of “right from wrongs,” and hopes and promises for what will continue to be a philanthropic and protective future. He prayed to HaShem to bless his immediate population and the world beyond his four walls with love, health and peace. He never begrudges his birthright and his nature is philanthropic and generous. He truly cares about how other people feel.
Cut to yesterday morning in Pittsburgh. A day of sabbath in a random synagogue engaging in a sermon of prayers and gratitudes as we did one month ago.
No Donald Trump-an armed guard in the Tree of Life Synagogue would would not have prevented this assailant from storming in Nazi style and committing the deadliest rampage against a Jewish Community in our country’s history. The murderer’s life was spared and he was deemed in “stable”condition. As far from the truth as can be imagined.
We are mired in prayer today choosing to focus with eyes who spent formative years in the 1960’s when we walked into a Shabbat service, our school, the bowling alley, or the local candy store and banked on leaving with more than we came in with. 
arosebyanyothername2016 