Kol Emeth Service Thanks Troops

The Navy SEAL team that flew deep into Pakistan and on Sunday showed incredible courage, something American troops do every day in waging the war against terrorism that started after bin Laden's al-Qaida attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.

That was the message Rabbi Steven Lebow conveyed Monday night at a special service Temple Kol Emeth held to thank U.S. military forces for everything they do. Lebow organized the service with his East Cobb congregation in response to bin Laden's demise.

After 9/11, Lebow said, many people said Americans knew what it felt like to be Israelis. He said he thought about that again Sunday night after hearing the news about bin Laden because, like Israelis, Americans didn't forget the 2001 attack and didn't stop in their drive for justice.

In addition to singing "The Star-Spangled Banner," "This Land Is Your Land" and "God Bless America," the crowd of about 50 at the service honored Marine Lance Cpl. Jake Kirshner, a graduate who used to attend Kol Emeth and whose parents, Elliott and Connie, remain members. After active service in the Marine Corps, Kirshner is now on Reserve duty in Warner Robins while attending Georgia Southern.

Also attending the service were Roger and Nicole Goodstein, whose son Jake is due to be commissioned as a Navy officer May 13 and to report for duty in Norfolk next month.