Response to tragic event at High School

Sudbury is in shock following the murder of a student in the Lincoln - Sudbury Regional High School by a fellow student last Friday January 19th. The trauma and tragedy of this event has shaken up our small family oriented community especially as we all have many friends or family members who attend Sudbury’s schools. The full scope and ramifications of this terrible event will reach beyond the initial days following the tragedy.

Events such as these as terrible and tragic as they are, cannot and must not remain a sad dormant memory in our lives. Instead we must use this event to bring about positive change in our community and in our society. This event should become the trigger and catalyst for increased acts of goodness and kindness, creating waves and ripples of touched and happier people.

In Chassidic philosophy it is taught that in order to remove darkness we need to increase light, even a small light can dispel a lot of darkness, and a small flame can illuminate a room full of darkness. Through increasing in our positive thoughts, words, and actions to our fellow person, we can help remove negativity and evil from our world. An act of kindness performed by an individual can touch and illuminate someone else’s life. The person who was touched will in turn have the courage and happiness needed to enhance someone else’s life. The increased good could be in the form of a smile, a compliment, a helping hand or a visit. It is acts such as these which will better our community and society, and provide a good response to the tragic event.

In response to this event and in light of the above, the Chabad Center of Sudbury is formulating a new project which will brighten and enhance people’s lives, with an emphasis on reaching out to people who live in our communities. We will focus on linking teens with children who are challenged and with seniors so that they can help, give, and be there to brighten and warm up someone else’s life. G‑d willing as this project develops we will keep you informed of its progress. At the same time if you or someone you know wish to get involved with the planning and executing of this project or become a volunteer for this project please contact us. This project will be based on similar programs in place in other communities.

While there is nothing we do can bring the victim back, nevertheless we can channel our energy into strengthening our community and society, serving as an eternal tribute to the victim and ensuring a safer, better environment in our community.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Y. Freeman

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