Happy to be in a shul that overlooks politics

A recent guest column asked rabbis to take a rather partisan political stand in their High Holiday sermons (“Dear rabbis, take a stand in your High Holiday sermons,” Sept. 7). In my shul we are not ostriches, we do not use a microphone during Shabbos and Yom Tom services, and by being in the service we strongly feel we are bringing some light to the grim world by connecting with Hashem. In our pews are Obama, Clinton and Trump supporters davening together working together for Torah and Haftorah readings. Aliyahs are given without regard to political party or position on an issue.

At Kiddush, a climate change denier sits next to a climate advocate, someone who believes the earth is 5,779 years old next to one who believes its age is 4.5 billion years. It is nice to be in a haven on Shabbos and Yom Tov where we tone down current events and turn up spiritual events. In this world of increasing division, where we judge a person more for their position on an issue than their character, I am glad at shul we put aside those differences and find common ground.

Rocky Wice
Squirrel Hill

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