<p>I’m sure everyone in the Jewish community in Buffalo knew Cantor Wehle. She was very involved. The way I found out was by reading The Buffalo News comments, and an Imam said she was on the flight. He was on an interfaith committee with her, and had lovely things to say about her. I think one of Cantor Wehle’s sons is in Israel and one is in college. So sad for everyone.</p>
<p>Consolation, my thoughts exactly, but I kept mine to myself. Really, is this the place for a rhetorical discussion of the existence of God and how involved he or she gets in our everyday lives and coincidences?</p>
<p>Consolation: I understand what you are saying. I always feel that way when I read that someone recovered due to his strong faith. And I wonder about those who didn’t recover, do their families think they didn’t have enough faith, didn’t pray enough, weren’t good enough. I know that’s not what people mean, it’s not a relative statement. Because one thinks he survived due to faith, isn’t a comment about anothers faith or survival. I’m having trouble expressing this. And then we move on to forgiveness. At my age you’d think I’d understand the meaning, but I don’t, really.</p>
<p>How a month can go by is unbelievable, but this one has been among the hardest here in the Buffalo area.</p>
<p>I just now read this thread as I am catching up with everything.</p>
<p>Cantor Susan Wehle was a dear friend, amazing human being, and my spouse’s colleague on the altar as well as at the bedsides of so many in hospitals and nursing homes. We co-taught many children. I studied with her when she gave courses. Her loss is deeply felt
and has been memorialized with services attended by thousands, along with several published articles.</p>
<p>My real purpose here posting is to thank all those who were kind enough to post consoling words amidst this terrible event. </p>
<p>I will tell you that among her many amazing achievements was a new initiative in which she was bringing together Jewish, Christian and Muslim teens from our suburban community, to begin to socialize and share perceptions and experiences. At her Memorial service were also representatives from the Hindu community of this area, as she made positive connection there as well.</p>
<p>She dearly believed that communication was the key to bringing peace to this world. She was a deeply religious woman who honored the beliefs and opinions of all peoples of the world, always seeking their common humanity. Her unique expressive skill was her voice, which she used to sing and bring comfort to the afflicted. She was also a fine and proud Mom.</p>
<p>At the same time, there were 49 others lost on that day, and perhaps someone reading this knows of them or knew them. We are all connected as a human community.</p>
<p>While I knew and loved this special, special lady, I also feel so strongly that on any plane, among ANY 50 people, there are so many stories, so much love, so much to miss.
One thing that has been commendable about the Buffalo area is the collective response of all to support the firefighters, workers and those who had to extract remains from the site. People were unfailingly respectful of each others’ purpose, all over town, and did not interfere but rather brought all kinds of food and relief help to those workers.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for posting words of concern and I know you will understand how it took me a full month to get here and read.</p>
<p>P3T, </p>
<p>What a beautiful post, as well as tribute to Cantor Susan Wehle. Indeed, every person who lost a life in that tragedy is deeply missed and touched many lives. I’ve been thinking about you and your congregation and community and hope that over time, there will be healing. How sad that Susan was someone who helped in healing others and now she is gone. </p>
<p>Thinking of you all in this time of great sorrow.</p>
<p>So sorry for the the loss of your friend, as well as the loss to the entire Buffalo community. Thanks for checking in, I don’t think I had seen a post from you since and I know everyone on cc was concerned.</p>
<p>P3T - I know this has been a hard time for you, but I knew you’d post when you were ready. My heart goes out to you and all those who were effected by Cantor Wehle’s death, as well the deaths of the other passengers on the plane. You have been in my thoughts and prayers, that healing can begin.</p>
<p>Thanks for touching base, p3t, and for sharing such a poignant and personal post. Deepest condolences to you, your family, your congregation, your community and the metro Buffalo area, and to the friends and family of all lost in that tragic crash.</p>
<p>I echo the thanks and the condolences of the others. She was clearly a wonderful woman, whose generosity of spirit your beautiful words reflect.</p>
<p>thinking of you, p3t…</p>
<p>p3t, thanks for the update. You and your community have been in my thoughts. As you know, my H is from the Buffalo area so we felt some personal connection to this tragedy, although of course nothing as strong as yours. How sad that such a special person as your devoted and beloved Cantor was lost to the community. But even the coverage of her death may help to spread her message.</p>