Nothing will ever be the same

“Nothing will ever be the same.” These words were shared with me by Rabbi Motti Olderberg, one of the officers of Kehilat Bnei Torah Synagogue where the Har Nof massacre on November 18 occurred. There were five fatalities and seven wounded including the brother of Shelly Rothman, a member of Beth Zion Congregation. As you can see from the pictures the glass with bullet holes has not yet been replaced, nor has the door that the police smashed in order to gain access to the sanctuary. You will also notice a bullet hole in a volume of Talmud as well.

While visiting I was introduced to the son of Rabbi Aryeh Kopinsky who just got up from Shiva for his father. He was coming to pray the evening service. He was a pillar of strength and conviction. He was even able to smile briefly. I also was introduced to a man who was there during the time of the attack, thank G-d he was saved but his scars were obvious by his inability to sit in a chair and just pace back and forth with a pained expression on his face.

I also had the opportunity to meet with Rabbi Yitzchak Rubin, rabbi of the synagogue. Even though he is completely exhausted from the week of Shiva and visiting the injured in the hospital, he found a half hour to spend with me. Rabbi Rubin has stepped in as father for all of the orphans, calling their schools to check on the children, visiting the injured fathers, making sure there is food on the table and coordinating mental health services for everyone who needs it. What an amazing man.