Jewish holidays solemn after terrorist attacks
Local rabbis’ sermons now focus on victims
and peace
The fear and mourning caused by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 arrived at a time when Jewish congregations were busy preparing for their upcoming holidays.
It was almost one week after that now infamous day that Jewish people everywhere were to celebrate the holiday of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. This year, the holiday was Sept. 18 and began the 10-day period of solemnity, which concluded with Yom Kippur Sept. 27. Known as the Day of Atonement, Jewish people pray during Yom Kippur for forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. A fast begins the night before, and the holiday itself is spent confessing, doing penance and praying for forgiveness.
The period of solemnity is completed with the holiday of Sukkoth, or the Feast of Tabernacles, which is the most joyous of Jewish holidays and lasts for nine days.
Congregation Anshe Emeth, South River, and Congregation Beth Ohr, Old Bridge, were among the local synagogues celebrating these three holidays, though differently this year, in the wake of the terrorist attacks.
Nathan Langer, the rabbi of the South River congregation, said that despite its joyous nature, the holiday of Sukkoth was celebrated this time with a more somber mood than usual.
That was just one of the many ways that the services of religious organizations have been altered in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11.
"Most of my colleagues and I have given sermons about the issues of peace and rebuilding following the tragedy," Langer said.
Some customs involved in celebrating the holidays have been changed slightly due to the added need of prayers for the victims, their families and the rescue workers, Langer said.
Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner of the Old Bridge synagogue agreed that the sermons and prayers offered during what are called the "high holidays" were changed. At each Sabbath morning service, Lubliner’s congregation has been adding prayers for those who lost their lives and for the families of the victims, he said.
A normal part of the Yom Kippur service is to offer a memorial prayer for those who have died in one’s family, along with those for Jewish people who died during the Holocaust, for Israeli soldiers and for Jewish soldiers in the United States military. In addition, this year, a memorial prayer was included for the people affected by the recent terrorist attacks.
Langer said that one man in his synagogue was working in a building close to the World Trade Center Sept. 11. Because he was in the vicinity, he was able to take pictures of the attacks, Langer said. He added that another member of Congregation Anshe Emeth works as a Port Authority police officer and has had to work 12-hour shifts through the night during the weeks since the tragedy.
Langer said that this year, as part of the Yom Kippur services, a chant was repeated in which some parts were changed to include the tragedy. The congregation prayed to the "God of compassion who dwells on high," so that the victims of the attacks, who fell "by the act of those people who are terrorists," may rest in peace. Langer said the changes in the wording of the chant is unusual and, therefore, rather significant.
Congregation Beth Ohr has taken a collection and sent it to the Jewish Federation of Middlesex County, which has set up a relief fund for victims’ families, Lubliner said.
Additionally, social workers and psychiatrists have volunteered their time to counsel congregation members who need help in the wake of the attacks, Lubliner said.
Langer said, however, that the events of Sept. 11 have changed our way of life so much that some of his congregants are afraid to go into New York City now.
However, there have been positive changes too, Langer said.
"It has brought unity to a country that’s been suffering from a disharmony," he said.
Langer added that the community of South River happens to be one that is unified.
The rabbi was a featured speaker at the Interfaith Service of Hope, held at the War Memorial Building, Main Street, Sept. 16. More than 2,000 residents were in attendance during the candlelight vigil, Langer said.
Now that the United States has engaged in war against the Taliban of Afghanistan, peace seems a distant hope. But it is still a message that will be taught through the religion of Judaism, Langer said.
Langer said he believes that you cannot have peace without the cost of human life. As a religious person, he supports justice, he said, and that after justice comes mercy — which inevitably leads to peace.