Good News Watch

[darrels joy]

Good News Watch
The Jerusalem Post carries a first-person account from Maj. Carlos Huerta, a rabbi who serves as a chaplain in the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division. Huerta visited Al-Kosh, an Iraqi town populated by Christians that is the site of the tomb of the Jewish prophet Nahum. He found the grave site: "It was a synagogue, or had been. The roof had collapsed and there was dirt all over." After saying his afternoon prayers, he was invited to tea with some locals:

As we prepared to leave, they asked us if there was anything we could do to restore the synagogue. We told them we could not. But would a Jewish house of worship in the middle of their village be welcome?

Their answer gave us hope in humanity. They said they would be honored to have such a holy place restored to its original condition. They felt it was a national treasure. The caretaker told us that as long as God granted him life he would defend the holiness of the place. As he said this, the other villagers nodded in agreement.

We came to Iraq in a time of war, destruction and great hate. We came sowing in tears. Perhaps, if God wills it, and with a little help from our friends, we will be able to leave having reaped in joyous song.