Tree of Life Shabbat of Solidarity, November 2, 2018

A Har Zion Moment from Rabbi Glick

Historic Shabbat of Solidarity for the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Attacks and the First Har Zion Musical Shabbat

Blue and white ribbons were given to attendees of the Shabbat of Solidarity, as away to unite with the Jewish community and honor the lives that were lost.

On Saturday morning October 27, 2018, Temple Har Zion was in the midst of our Shabbat morning services and enjoying a scholar in residence weekend with noted author Yossi Klein Halevi, and Rabbi Glick’s father, Rabbi Yoel Glick had come from Jerusalem for a Shabbaton with the Har Zion community. Then the news poured in that a sister Conservative congregation in Pittsburgh, the Tree of Life Congregation, had been brutally attacked during their services, leaving 10 worshippers dead and many injured.

The following Friday night, around 700 people gathered in our Goldstine sanctuary for a historic Shabbat of Solidarity. In attendance were members of Temple Har Zion, Oak Park Temple, and our local Jewish community, as well as many well-wishers of all religions, including over 30 local clergy. Friday November 2 was also the date that had been set for the first ever musical Shabbat with the Har Zion davening team. The davening team had been practicing for months and preparing for a spirited, joyful Friday night service.

In the days leading to this Shabbat, the clergy debated whether to cancel the scheduled musical service for a more somber event. In the end, Rabbi Glick decided that our response to terrorism should be to continue our Jewish worship with our full hearts and voices.

A view of the sanctuary during the Shabbat of Solidarity.

The davening team (Rabbi Glick, Cantor Figa, Rabbi Glick Sr., Jonathan Miller, David Lewin, and David Oromaner) and the Oak Park Temple clergy led the musical service. The 700 people in attendance spilled into lanes around the pews and chairs. Many chanted, sang, and danced to the beautiful melodies of the service—made up of Tehillim (psalms) and our Friday night liturgy. It was impossible to miss the electric spirit in the sanctuary and the radiant faces of all present. It was the first ever Jewish service for many of the people in attendance. At the end of the service, some attendees continued to a dinner and Hassidic tisch (sharing of melodies and stories) led by Rabbi Glick’s father.

There were addresses by Rabbi Glick, Rev. Alan Taylor of Unity Temple, and Dr. Rev. Marshall Hatch, whose church is on the westside of Chicago. Rabbi Glick spoke to the congregation of being in a similar situation while leading a congregation in France during the Charlie Hebdo and Kosher market terrorist attacks. Rabbi Glick had decided not to cancel those services because Jews must continue to fight against antisemitism. He called on everyone not to capitulate nor to fear, and to be spiritual revolutionaries.

A New Mode of Worship for Har Zion

This service began a new Har Zion model of worship, which is dear to Rabbi Glick and many members, of a musical service led by the davening team. Over the years, the davening team has lost and added members but its spirit has stayed the same: not to perform the music but to pray sacred and spiritual Jewish melodies together in a way that galvanizes and inspires the congregation in their prayers. Since that day in November 2018, the davening team—whether in the Goldstine sanctuary or on the Solomon terrace—has brought this new model of worship to our congregation on a monthly basis, lifting hearts and souls in joyful prayer through uplifting singing and dancing.