EDWARD LIN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Reverend
Tomas Elis leads a service at St. Ann’s Church to
pray for those who were caught in the New York City and Washington
D.C. terrorist attacks.
By Shauna Mecartea
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
At a UCLA Medical Center service, the American flag hung heavy
as a painful reminder of the terrorist attacks on the United
States.
Medical center staff and others filed into the Neuropsychiatric
Hospital auditorium wearing everything from scrubs to slacks to
mourn the victims.
Some took their seats with slightly swollen eyes focused on the
floor. Others neatly folded their hands on their lap, patiently
waiting for the service to begin.
The service, the second of two for the day, was organized by the
medical center’s spiritual care department at the request of
the nursing staff so people could worship together, said spiritual
care director Rev. Sandra Yarlott.
“When we have a tragedy like this it shakes us deeply, and
we need ways to become centered and whole again,” Yarlott
said.
“One way to do this is to gather as a community and
pray,” she continued.
During the prayer led by Yarlott, only the tranquil sounds of
water trickling over a small rock fountain, between two candles,
and occasional sniffles broke the silence.
Some forced back tears and held their faces in their hands while
Yarlott prayed for the people who died, for the world, and for
peace.
Rabbi Kalman Winnick, chaplain of the spiritual care department,
read scripture from the Bible, consoling many in the crowd, and
ended by blowing into a ram’s horn.
The loud, steady rumble of the horn permeated the room as people
straightened in their seats.
“The blowing of the ram’s horn symbolizes our
deepest thoughts, emotions and prayers going upwards,”
Winnick said, explaining that using one’s own breath puts
more meaning into the ritual.
The ram’s horn is the key symbol in the Jewish New Year,
which began Monday night. Prayer request sheets were also handed
out.
Those attending agreed that the service, and others similar to
it, help the grieving process.
“I think it’s important for people to come and share
sorrow and prayers for the victims and families,” said Ryan
Gerrity, a nursing administration specialist, who left work for the
service. “I think it’s helpful.”
People without strong religious beliefs also noted the power of
human gathering.
“I’m not much for prayer but I like the community
feel it offers,” said Thomas Pier, a Jonsson Comprehensive
Cancer Center staff member.
Vice provost of hospital systems and medical center director
Michael Karpf addressed the gathering before the service
commenced.
“Hopefully we are past everything but if not, this
hospital is prepared,” he said.
As he firmly grabbed the podium and spoke, Karpf sullenly
expressed his sentiments.
“My heart goes out to you and the people in New
York,” he said. “We offer them whatever help we
possibly can.”
Karpf said many medical center employees had ties to the victims
in New York and Washington D.C., one reason why the ceremony was
assembled.
“Everybody will find their own way to cope, but this will
not be easy,” he said.
Winnick said the father of a woman who attended the service had
been in one of the World Trade Towers when the plane crashed into
it, but luckily escaped alive.
Others, though, at the service still await news of loved ones
possibly caught in the rubble.