What to Say to Someone Going Through Tragedy

A Simple Set of Words We Can Use

Here in Highland Park, everybody knows somebody who was at the deadly parade on July 4th.

And the stories of parents running with their children and hiding in basements are still emerging.

We are traumatized. Even rabbis sometimes have no words.

But words can comfort. Presence can comfort. We need each other.

Have you ever had a friend who was suffering? Perhaps they had just gone through a divorce?

Perhaps they had lost a parent? Perhaps they were sick and in the hospital? 

How did you comfort them? What did you say? 

Being a Good Friend

Now some people knew to have a knack for knowing exactly what to say. But most of us struggle.

Here’s the secret: