A rabbi from Newtown, Conn. brought a message of unity and mourning to the peninsula on Tuesday, speaking at Great Neck Synagogue in the wake of the shooting that killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Rabbi Shaul Praver of Newtown’s Congregation Adath Israel, a Great Neck native, called for gun control and interfaith understanding in response to the tragedy.
“If the death of their loved ones sparks major improvements across the country, I’ve got to believe that will be a source of comfort to them,” said Praver, according to Newsday.
Praver, who officiated at the funeral of shooting victim Noah Pozner, also spoke at the prayer vigil attended by President Barack Obama two days after the killings.
Great Neck Synagogue Rabbi Avraham Bronstein, who also serves as program director, said the synagogue reached out to Praver through a Connecticut rabbi who is common friend.
“We invited Rabbi Praver based on how impressive he was while in the spotlight since the shootings, and in particular the grace, eloquence, strength, and dignity that he demonstrated while caring for the family of Noah Pozner,” wrote Bronstein in an e-mail. “Our intention was to express our appreciation for his words and presence, which touched us through the media as we have tried to come to grips with what happened to and through him, convey our condolences and support to his community and congregation.”
Praver’s message of understanding and common mourning was valuable, according to Bronstein.
“He spoke about the inspiring interfaith response in Newtown that has brought all of the local clergy and people together, and his intention to build a museum with an area dedicated to each victim of the shooting, where family and friends can share pictures, notes, recollections, and memories,” wrote Bronstein. “He said that the most lasting and fitting tribute to the memory of the victims would be work towards creating what he called a ‘culture of peace,’ in contrast to the culture of violence, tolerance of bullying, misunderstanding of mental illness, and easy accessibility of guns that all contributed to the tragedy.”
Praver was openly emotional during his speech, Bronstein said.
The Newtown rabbi did not mince words when describing the impact of the shooting on his community.
“It’s like a little localized 9/11,” Praver said, according to Newsday. “The love between people is what is enabling people literally not to die of cardiac arrest.”
Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hirsch Weinrab, executive vice president emeritus of the Orthodox Union, and David Pollock, associate executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, also spoke at the event.
Reach reporter Dan Glaun by e-mail at dglaun@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x203. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
