Baking Hamentaschen in Shichigahama: reactions to the Japanese earthquake
This is a modified version of an email that I sent to my congregation yesterday. The news reports of the damage from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan just keep going from bad to worse to unimaginable -- with the death toll now revised at over 10,000, several villages and cities reduced to rubble, and the possibility of nuclear disaster. David H., a member of our synagogue, has numerous direct connections to this tragedy and asked me to send the following reflections to you. David lived and worked for many years in the town of Shichigahama, in the area that was hardest hit by the tsunami. This town of more than 20,000 inhabitants is now mostly destroyed. David's words help to communicate in very personal terms how devastating this situation is. Below David's remarks are some suggestions for how we can assist. (If you wish to contact David, you may contact him through me.) Friends, By now, I am sure you have seen the horrific...