Turning to a higher power

Community leans on clergy for comfort, guidance
      Throughout a week of incomprehensible tragedy, people have sat and watched television reports, cried with friends and family, and listened to politician's promises of retaliation. For many, though, that has done little to heal the open wound in their hearts. That is why a large number of residents have turned to a higher power for comfort, seeking guidance from the religious leaders of Long Beach.
      As institutions collect funds, places of worship have increased masses and prayer services. Many church and temple leaders have had members come to them to express their fears, and the terrible stories they have experienced. Reverend Delores Miller of the Evangel Revival Church had a member of her congregation talk about seeing people jumping out of windows of the Trade Center. Miller has encouraged her members to ventilate, share their feelings and pray.
      "I have tried to encourage them and told them that it's in God's hands," she said.

sub: A somber New Year

      Rabbi Bennett Hermann plays a dual role as Rabbi for Temple Emanu-El and as President of the Long Beach Clergy Association. Thus, Hermann feels a responsibility to both the members of his temple and to the community.
      "My role is to rally the congregation and the community, to lead through the mourning process, and to identify with total America, not just my congregation.," Hermann said.
      Hermann feels that it is important to talk, to share.
      "This will cut through the grief process," he said. "You can't stay by yourself in a room and sit on a chair."
      Hermann had to change his sermon for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year that was celebrated on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Generally a time for celebration, this year's events addressed the tragedy at the Trade Center and included songs of solidarity and patriotism. Prayers were also said throughout the service for the United States as a nation.
      "The Ram's Horn ushers in the New Year in the Jewish faith," Hermann said. "It is supposed to arouse people from their lethargy. If you ask me, we've become lethargic. [This year] the Ram's Horn fits in with the national mood and theme."

sub: Muslims become a target

      At the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, 700 people generally gather to worship. It is one of 15 mosques on Long Island and one of the oldest and largest. Many of the members of the Islamic Center are doctors and have been very active in helping the injured in the World Trade Center tragedy.
      "As Americans, we share the sense of grief and loss of this terrorist attack on innocent civilians," said Al-Haaj Ghazi Khankan, the mosques spiritual leader. "Our members have volunteered their medical expertise, funds and prayers. We pray five times a day and during each prayer we have asked Allah to forgive and keep us alive to submit to God's will."
      Many Muslim workers died in the World Trade Center standing side by side with other Americans, Khankan said. Unfortunately, this has not stopped some people from targeting this Long Island Mosque. Last Friday there was a bomb scare during the time set aside by the
President for a national prayer service, Khankan said. Hundreds of people evacuated the Mosque to later find out that it was a
hoax.
      "The religion of Islam doesn't condone acts of violence and terrorism," Khankan said. "Islam teaches that those who kill other human beings will be punished."
      The Islamic spiritual leader believes that terrorism and violence have no religion. He said that to believe Osama bin Laden represents the Muslim faith is the same as believing that Timothy McVey stood for Christianity.
      Nonetheless, both Muslims and even those who appear to be Muslim or Arabic feel they have become a target to some people.
      "We look very similar to people from India," said Urmella Bamotar, the founder and president of the Maha Shiva Mandir Hindu Temple in Long Beach. "The children at school are confused thinking that India is involved. My granddaughter, in middle school, has been harassed."
      A Long Beach resident for the last 26 years, Bamotar added, "The way all Americans feel, we feel. Our people were [in the Trade Center] too."

sub: Where was God?

       Rev. Miller's son told her that someone called him last week and asked him where God was. "You have to realize that God is in control and balances things out," she said. Miller believes that the nation will get through this. "We are a strong nation, servants of God. His strength will lift us."
      Missionary Sister Wood from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that sometimes bad things happen to good people. "It was never meant for us to be here forever," she said. "This world is a place to be tested and taught. Through our experiences we learn and then will be worthy to go back and live with our heavenly people."
      Reverend Juanita Hilsenbeck from The People's Church has assured her congregation that "we have a God of love." She doesn't believe that God made the planes that destroyed the twin towers. "We don't have a punishing God," she said.
      Reverend Father Robert N. Splittgerber from St. John's Lutheran Church By The Sea feels that the question can be answered by recognizing that there is evil in the world. "Sometimes when everything looks dark, it's not because everything is not as hopeless as it seems," he said. "People believed that evil was winning when the Book of Daniel and Revelations were written. The point was and is to let people know that God has not abandoned us. As people of faith, we have courage."
      The mood, many have found, has been not only somber, but one of anxiety. People are waiting to find out exactly how the United States will retaliate. Lilly Madden from the Christian Light Baptist Church said from what she's seen, "everybody is wondering what will happen."
      "People are hoping that the President won't be too hasty and do something that will hurt more," she said.
      Paulette Bivens from Evangel Revival Community Church said, "When you are in war, you need God's guidance. You've got to trust Him and do what you've got to do. In war people unfortunately die, but you can't punish the whole race for what those people did."

sub: A community comes together

      Finding something positive amidst all of the sorrow can be difficult, but the resilience of the American spirit has made it possible.
      Father Thomas Donohoe, Pastor of St. Mary of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, feels that the tragedy will unite the country and the world. "This was an attack on the world," he said. "What is America made up of? Immigrants. Immigrants have made this country what it is."
      Madden said, "Everybody is coming together regardless of race or creed."