Thoughts and Prayers

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/998294.html

Another attack on Jerusalem. 4 dead. Dozens wounded. Millions affected.

I know precisely where the attack took place. I've been there, on my way to the Central Bus Station, more than once. I am not in Jerusalem anymore, though I know plenty of people who are, people who visit that area of town on a frequent basis. I can't find a list of people who were killed and it is driving me crazy--the fear of reading a familiar name is something I can't bear to think about. But something inside me needs to see the names, I guess to know that everyone I know and love in Jerusalem is okay.

An ambulance with sirens blaring just drove down Villa Dorado. 7,500 miles away from Jerusalem, and my thoughts are exactly the same as they were for a period after the attack while I was there in March--Oh Gd, what happened now?

At moments like this, I feel a strange juxtaposition of both longing to be back in Israel and wanting to be as far away as possible. It pains me to know that all I can do this time is pray and love and keep my thoughts and my heart with the victims and with the city. I guess it will be that way every time from here forward.

Dear Gd, let there be a time when we don't have to think like this. Let there be a time of coexistence and love and harmony in Israel. Let there be a time of PEACE and let it begin NOW.

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu v'al kol Yisrael, v'imru AMEN.
May the one who makes peace in the heavens make peace for us and for all of Israel. And we say: Amen.

Please keep this city, this country and these people in your thoughts and prayers.