mar's Desk

marcoujor: Musical Intermission - "B"

10/31/2018

Over this week, my heart has been heavy with another senseless act of violence taking the lives of innocent people gathering to worship.

I strive not to share my political, religious or sexual views on this public forum - as we all have the right to our beliefs.

However, I proudly share the words of the President of my University, Deanne H. D'Emilio, JD:

"Pittsburgh, Pa: Another act of hate-filled violence and murder. This occurred in a neighborhood that is very familiar to me and so I want to give you some context. My children attended school at the other end of the street. They attended Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in Tree of Life Synagogue and we have many friends who live in Squirrel Hill. It is a lovely peaceful neighborhood around the corner from where WQED filmed Mister Rogers Neighborhood for so many years. Chatham University is also within walking distance and Carnegie Mellon University and Pitt are a few blocks away. Pittsburgh is more like a big small town than a city and so the community has responded with tremendous support.

As people of Mercy, we reject the violence perpetrated on our Jewish brothers and sisters this weekend in Pittsburgh. We join all people of faith in prayer for all of the victims of this tragedy and for all who suffer discrimination because of their religion, ethnicity or identity.

We echo the words of the Conference of Catholic Bishops: 'Yesterday morning, death and violence entered a house of worship. The attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, is a cowardly act and to be condemned by all Americans. Those killed and injured represent the best of who we are: people of faith gathered to pray and celebrate the birth of a child and officers responding to the ensuing violence with no concern for their own safety.

Anti-Semitism is to be condemned and has to be confronted by our nation. The Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops stands with our Jewish brothers and sisters during this time of great distress. May God grant peace to the dead, healing to the injured, and comfort to the families of those hurt and killed and to all the Jewish Community.' ”

Thanks for your comments and emails about my musical intermission series. Keep your favorites coming - and keep a song in your heart, perhaps some of these "B" numbers!

Something Old:

Motown will always have a special place in my heart thanks to my brother, Henry.