News

Jews mourn tragic loss

By Colleen Morgan
News Reporter

The tragedy of the space shuttle Columbia broke borders Monday night as hundreds of members of the Houston Jewish community gathered to express their condolences through thoughts, prayers and psalms at Congregation Beth Yeshurun.

"America and Israel stand tonight together in mourning," said Rabbi David Rosen. Rosen was just one of the Rabbis in attendance representing several different synagogues across the city.

Rosen continued by acknowledging the community of Clear Lake, saying, "In the aftermath of Saturdayis great tragedy, no community was more divested than where those families live."

However, the service was particularly focused on Israelis first astronaut, Ilan Ramon.

Rabbi Roy Walter told a story about the things that Ramon brought with him on his flight. Among these things was the flag of Israel, a picture of the earth from the moon drawn by a Jewish boy and a Torah scroll given to him by an 80-year-old Holocaust survivor. The owner of the scroll requested that Ramon bring it with him on the flight, and Ramon had planned to read a special passage from it on the morning the shuttle exploded.

Although the mood was somber and reflective, in a true sign of the times today, the organizers of the memoriam were on high alert. Houston police officers acting as security guards were present at every entryway and several patrolled the isles of the synagogue. Guardsmen from the Israeli Consulate in Houston were also on hand to provide assistance. For security purposes, none in attendance were allowed to bring in purses or other bags. Media access was very limited.

Silvan Shalom, representative for the state of Israel and Ariel Sharon, knew Ramon personally. "He died as a hero on the altar of his dreams," Shalom said.

Shalom closed his speech by saying, "we cherish their memory and we continue to reach for the stars."

At the close of the evening, the congregation stood and sang both the national anthems of Israel and America, in tribute to those that were lost, and as a symbol of unity through this tragedy.
 

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