I haven't stopped thinking about David and Cecil Rosenthal, who were among the 11 people murdered at the Tree of Life * Or L'Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh on October 27. I feel a connection because of Max—From what I've read, the brothers had a sweet, helpful disposition, similar to his. My friend Paula noted that she could see Max being a greeter at our temple, just like Cecil and David were at theirs. Monday night, I checked the Facebook page of ACHIEVA, a center based in Pennsylvania that provides support for adults with disabilities. The nonprofit had posted a beautiful tribute to the "boys," as they were known to friends and family.
We can't make sense of the events at the Tree of Life but we can choose how we react to them:
React with love.
Offer a smile.
Reach out to those in need.
Treat the next person in line.
Lend a helping hand.
Include someone new.
Live cheerfully.
Trust others.
Don't wait for happiness. Create it.
Let's show we are stronger than hate.
Join our group.
Live like the Rosenthals.
Love like the boys.
The Facebook group mentioned is Love Like The "Boys." ACHIEVA started it to encourage people to do random acts of kindness in honor of Cecil and David. Some people painted stones. Someone had paid for someone else's dinner. The nonprofit We Finish Together was sending a group of medals gathered from athletes. Volunteers from the group planted 11 redbud trees at a nature reserve. Yesterday morning, at my company's cafe, I bought coffee for the next person who showed up in line with one, and I thought of the brothers.
Random acts of kindness has been a thing for years now. But it's especially meaningful to do goodness to honor the kind, loving ways of David and Cecil Rosenthal. Let's.
Image: Love Like The "Boys" Facebook page
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Thanks for sharing!