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CNN Live Event/Special

America's New War: Worship in the Midst of Death

Aired September 18, 2001 - 06:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: As we look at these stories that give you an insight as to how people are dealing with what's happened in the aftermath and the process of recovering and getting over all of this, security last night tight in many places, as in New York, where Jews gathered to celebrate Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year.

But in one New York synagogue, the question on everyone's lips was: How do you rejoice when so many are mourning their dead?

CNN's Elizabeth Cohen with this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At this synagogue on Manhattan's upper west side, congregants brought in the New Year without six of their members. Five were in the World Trade Center; one was on the plane that hit the Pentagon. All are missing; no bodies have been found.

GARY BRENTON RANATOR (ph), RABBI: Our world is not and cannot be the same after events of one week ago.

COHEN: Rabbi Gary Brenton Ranator officiated at three funerals Sunday for families who had given up hope. The other three families still think their loved ones might be found alive.

RANATOR: We grieve with those who still search. We grieve with those who have lost loved ones.

COHEN: The rabbi told his congregants, in the face of tragedy, love God, love one another.

RANATOR: What we must do is hold each other a little tighter, care more for one another.

COHEN: And embrace life.

RANATOR: The history of our people is strewn with one horbon, oneawful event after another. And yet, our people have constantly clung to life.

COHEN: Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, New York

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