Come From Away!

The day was not over. We went back to Micheles, and got ready for dinner, our good friends from ATW2023, Cindy & John, picked us up and we went to a great dinner and then into Phoenix for a wonderful production of Come From Away at the Phoenix Theater Company.

“38 Planes, 7,000 strangers and 1 unforgettable act of humanity that united us all”.
It is a true story of the people of Gander, Newfoundland that welcomed these stranded travelers after 9/11 and generously opened their homes and their hearts, making lifelong human connections and proving that even in the darkest times, compassion can shine through. As I said when asked for audience feedback (yes, it was recorded), it is a wonderful story to be told over and over!

It reminded me of Pirkei Avot 4.2, “one mitzvah leads to another”. Pay it Forward!!! I always thought the ripple effect of doing good for others (sometimes rather than always "paying back") was so beautiful and remember when it was "a thing to do" at Starbucks around the holidays. It made everyone happy (except maybe the people that worked at Starbucks and were confused). As a Rabbi that was one of these strangers in the show sang “Oseh Shalom Bimromav, Hu Ya’aseh Shalom Aleinu," -Maker of peace in His high places, may He make peace for us. [Ironically, it is common to hear the first word “oseh” pronounced like "oh say" (the first words of the American National Anthem)!]Les mer