Ose Shalom

Sitting in choir practice this morning, preparing to learn a new song with Hebrew text, entitled "Ose Shalom."

Foreign words to most, our leader inviting Ruth Israel to attend our practice to teach us how to pronounce them correctly.

Having completed the lesson, Ruth sitting in the rear of the room to hear the choir's first feeble attempts to sing this brand new music.

With the song ending, Ruth rising to thank us, saying through choked words and shining eyes, that it was truly beautiful.

Listening to her words, I too swallowing hard, eyes glistening.

Later at home, relating the incident to my husband, seeing his face reflecting the same emotions.

She with a name like Israel.

We with a name like Heintz.

Differences... in backgrounds, histories, ethnicities, religions, experiences...washed in common tears, dissolved in common hopes and prayers.

May "Ose Shalom" (The One Who Makes Peace) grant us peace, here and throughout the World.

THANK YOU, RUTH.