Dear Friends,

 It is hard to believe that it has been 13 years since the tragedy of 9/11. 13 is a very meaningful number, as we know, for the Jewish community. It marks a sense of commencement. The conclusion of childhood and the entrance into the world of being a Jewish adult. We celebrate with families who reach this milestone.

Sadly, though we have reached 13 years since 9/11, our world doesn't feel as safe as we would like. The turmoil in the Middle East and the tension and death in Russia and Ukraine are just two examples that make 13 years not a moment to celebrate, but a moment to remember and ponder.

What have we learned in the past 13 years? We have learned that despite the horrors of the world, life goes on, often day by day, and we must appreciate every minute with our loved ones, for we don't know what will come next. We have also learned how to remember. That the people who died on that horrible day in September cannot and should not be forgotten. For example, there are those who were parents, who had children that at the time were young, but are growing up and might soon have families of their own, and they will remember their loved ones dearly. We have learned that we have to act when we see something going on, that we have to speak out in the face of terror. The United Flight 93 message of "Let's Roll" is a message to all of us-that we have to be vigilant about the world around us and we need to be our brother's keepers.

Finally, we learn that despite it all, we still learn how to live. I recently heard a story of a woman who saw one of her former students, a boy, who is now 13. His bris was on Sept 14, 2001. As this teacher recalled, the bris that week was an affirmation of life and his bar mitzvah is a re-affirmation.

As I did last year, I want to share with you this audio clip set to the melody of Eicha (Lamentations). Rabbi Irwin Kula recalls and shares the last recorded words of many of those who died on that fateful day.  WARNING: This is not an easy clip to listen to. It will bring back the sadness and anger of the day. Often people look for ritual as a way of honoring those who were murdered. This is one example of how to do this. 

I hope that we find the opportunities on this day of remembrance to be a listening ear and a caring shoulder for people who need it. For many of us, we experienced the day as NYers and yet didn't lose anyone in our immediate family or circle of friends. There are others, for whom, this is an extremely personal day of reflection. Please know that my phone, my door, and my email are open to any of you that would like to be in touch. We will do a special Mourner's Kaddish during our evening service at 5:45 dedicated to those who were lost during the attacks.

So as we mark 13 years let us pledge to remember those who were taken from us on that day.

May the memories of those who lost their lives on 9/11 forever be a blessing,

Rabbi Ain