Uniting With the Ideals of Rabin

* I was pleased to see that once again our community has come together in unity. This time it was to mourn the loss of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin at a special gathering of more than 500 individuals, Jew and non-Jew alike, at Temple Beth Torah in Ventura.

Our main purpose for being there was to honor the life and sanctify the memory of Prime Minister Rabin. We all heard and shared a clear message, a message which I hope will be remembered by all.

We must not abandon Mr. Rabin’s life mission. It is our duty to carry on within our own community. We must embrace his cause in the struggle for peace, for the security of Israel, for the goodwill of all people as a whole.

The choice is ours. We must stop the hate against others. Not just physical violence, but also the violent words spoken by those who choose to spew lies and deception in order to vindicate their cause.

Let us not forget this special night, when a diverse community came together in harmony, strength and support. Let us commemorate the passing of this soldier of peace by following his example of turning despair into hope.

S. REBEKKAH ABRAMS

Ventura