A ‘fair’ election
So, Bruce Poliquin feels he won “fair and square” because he got less than 1 percent more of the vote than Jared Golden during the first round on Election Day. Does that mean he feels Hillary Clinton should be president? After all, she had 2 million more votes than Donald Trump. Just asking.
Robert Simpson
Gardiner
Healing a broken world
On Oct. 27, as Jews in three Bangor synagogues gathered to observe the Sabbath, an American white supremacist fired his gun into an unsuspecting crowd of Jewish worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
This act of terror against American Jews assaulted the safety, security and well-being of Americans of all faiths, races and creeds, and reminded all who have ever been attacked, vilified, scapegoated, or demeaned (such as women, Muslim and black communities, Hispanics, indigenous people, Catholics, Franco-Americans, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community) of the fragile nature of their lives on a daily basis.
We in the Jewish community of Bangor know this because of the outpouring of grief, anguish and support at a memorial on Oct. 28 at Congregation Beth Abraham, and on Oct. 30 at Congregation Beth El. Approximately 400 people gathered at Congregation Beth El to attend a remembrance service for the massacred Jews and the wounded congregants and police officers in Pittsburgh. People came from a wide variety of ethnic and religious communities in Greater Bangor.
Our neighbors who attended came from all walks of life but we all shared one sentiment: horror at the senseless violence. All those who came to this service and the one at Congregation Beth Abraham enveloped our Jewish community with a protective presence of compassion, heartfelt sympathy and love that touched our hearts. Only by reaching across the threshold of differences can we find the light and the strength to heal a broken world.
Rabbi Darah Lerner
Congregation Beth El
Rabbi Bill Siemers
Congregation Beth Israel
Rabbi Chaim Wilansky
Congregation Beth Abraham
Bangor
A grateful stranger
My husband had a heartwarming experience the day after Veteran’s Day. My husband and I are both service-connected disabled veterans. Having this in common, we deeply understand each others’ burdens. When something touching happens to one of us, it means twice as much to both of us.
My husband was buying groceries and realized at checkout that he did not have enough to pay for everything. He had to put the coffee creamer back. The cashier was very nice about it and said, “Don’t worry, it happens to everyone.”
The young man who was next in line must have been close enough to overhear. He was maybe in his 20s and had nothing defining about him, except for the sweatshirt he was wearing. He stepped up, “I’ll pay for it.” My husband politely refused at first, then after the stranger insisted, he swallowed his pride and accepted the help. Though reluctant to receive it, my husband was grateful for the few dollars. Then, as the stranger shook hands with my husband, he said “Thank you for your service.” My husband realized he was wearing his army field jacket and this was, of course, how the stranger was able to tell he was a veteran.
Please know that these wonderful heartfelt things mean a lot to veterans. My husband was touched. The story of this helpful, grateful stranger was the first thing out of his mouth when he came home. I cried. Other vets and their families will understand why. Thank you to everyone who has ever been appreciative in any way to a veteran or their family.
Helena Garrett
Caribou