Yizkor L'Yitzchak

Today, November 4, 2005 marks ten years since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin. Last night I attended a memorial concert at the Jerusalem Theatre and it was a fascinating lesson in how Israelis deal with grief and memory.

The Jerusalem symphony orchestra performed an original piece entitled "In Memory of Yitzchak." It featured four singers and two choirs. During two places, snippets of his various speeches were projected over the music.

Though his words are 11 years old, they couldn't be truer:

We are in the midst of building the peace. The job is difficult, complex,
trying. Mistakes could topple the whole structure and bring disaster upon us
and so we are determined to do the job well despite the tow of murdering
terrorism, despite the fanatical and evil enemies of peace. We will pursue
the course of peace with determination and fortitude. We will not let up. We
will not give in. Peace will triumph over all its enemies, because the
alternative is grimmer for all of us, for our children after us. The L-rd
will give strength to His people. The L-rd will bless His people with
peace. - Yitzchak Rabin.

Ya'aseh Shalom. Na'aseh Shalom. Bo na'aseh shalom. Kein Yihei Ratzon.