Peace event

Here I am, reading a poem at the Hiroshima Day celebration sponsored by the local Peace Action Council. I was representing the Social Action Committee of three area synogogues. Larry took this photo because he was able to attend! Below is the poem that I read (I got choked up at the end because the kids, evidence of how my life is blessed, were there with me).

We Can Not Merely Pray
By Jack Riemer

We cannot merely pray to end war;
For the World is made in such a way
That we must find our own path of peace
Within ourselves and with our neighbors.

We cannot merely pray to root out prejudice:
for we already have eyes
With which to see the good in all people
If we would only use them rightly.

We cannot merely pray to end starvation:
For we already have the resources
With which to feed the entire World
If we would only use them wisely.

We cannot merely pray to end despair:
For we already have the power To clear away slums and to give hope
If we would only use our power justly.

We cannot merely pray to end disease:
For we already have great minds
With which to search out cures and healings
If we would only use them constructively.

Therefore we pray instead
For strength, determination, and will power,
To do instead of merely to pray
To become instead of merely to wish.
So that our World may be safe,
And so that our lives may be blessed.