Things We Found in the Fire

Standing in front of the TAA ruins, it felt as if all was lost. Undoubtedly, the tragedy of December 14 brought many, many losses. But as we look back, a week later, we can also appreciate the things we found.

In addition to the charred remnants of tallisim and chumashim delivered to us by the Gloucester Fire Department, the bronze plaque honoring Rabbi Geller on his retirement last year was found intact along with several other memorial plaques and works of art that somehow, miraculously, survived the flames.

Perhaps more importantly, we found scores of caring new friends and supporters. At the gathering on Thursday evening, people from many corners of the world -- the mayor of Gloucester and his successor, clergy members of all denominations, congregants from other North Shore temples, the consul general of Israel, and so many of our own members -- came to express their grief and vow their support and help as we end our period of shiva and begin to look ahead and talk about rebuilding our precious temple. At this point, no one knows where or when that will happen, but for the 300 mourners who gathered at the site and walked together in the snow to the UU Church on Thursday evening, it became very clear that we are not alone.

We have found strength, hope, determination, and love that we didn't even know we had.