Good evening.  I am Ross Porter, your younger brother in faith.

I last stood before you almost exactly five years ago, following the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.  And here I am again, at the invitation of my dear brother Rabbi Paul, to grieve with you—and to offer a brief but heartfelt reflection on why I’d rather be here tonight than anywhere else in the world.  As I prayed for the right words to speak in this time of deep sorrow, and anger, and pain, I found myself surprisingly overwhelmed…by a debt of gratitude.

I want you to know how grateful I am for you, my older brothers and sisters in faith…and for Judaism.  I grew up in Tarzana and Calabasas, and my closest friends were Jewish.  In fact, when I was thirteen my mother had to buy me TWO leisure suits to keep up with my Saturday Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah schedule!  And all these years later, my fashion choices may have changed, but my friendships have not.  My Jewish siblings still accompany me in my priesthood, Judaism remains foundational to my faith, and Israel remains my spiritual home.  Of course this makes complete sense to me a fellow son of Abraham, as it should to all Christians.

Through you and through Israel we know a God Who loves up close even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

Through you and through Israel we know that God’s word speaks to us in the darkest hours when all hope seems lost.

Through you and through Israel we know that humankind is built for freedom not slavery.

Through you and through Israel we know that faith is a journey that can sometimes feel like wandering in a dry and barren wilderness.

So clearly I am not here to instruct you—my precious extended family—on how to handle crisis, and loss, and evil.  Please.  You’ve had 5,000 years of practice.  No, I’m here again because I love you, and I love Israel.  And I’m here again to pledge my support in any and every way that is helpful.

You have and you will walk through the valley of the shadow of death and emerge stronger than ever.

You have and you will confront evil and fight for good.

You have and you will strive for justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

You have and you will show the world that love will always overcome hate.

I have no doubt that you’ve felt alone in this battle.  Far too often you have been.

But tonight I gently remind you that you are not alone.  I stand with you, my church stands with you, and every true Christian stands with you.

Tonight we weep, but we do not lose heart.

I close with the words of the Psalmist:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity. (Psalm 122:6-9)

You and our beloved Israel remain in my heart, always.  

Shalom!