Louisville/Pittsburgh Vigil: From Where Does Our Help Come?
Vigil for Louisville and Pittsburgh, 30 th October 2018, Iowa City Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz Shir la’amot – A song of ascents. Essa einai el he’harim – I lift my eyes to the mountains Me’ayin yavo ezri – from where will my help come? Dear brothers and sisters, I’m an immigrant. Unlike many American children, I did not grow up watching ‘Mr. Rogers Neighborhood’ as a child. I was blessed to discover Mr. Rogers’ television ministry of humanitarian kindness as an adult and it has given me succor during turbulent times. Mr. Rogers’ mythical television neighborhood – a place of hope and love - was set in Squirrel Hill, the Neighborhood where the Etz Chaim – Tree of Life – Synagogue stands. There is a now-famous story that Mr. Rogers would share the comfort his own mother gave him. He said: “’Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words,...