Letter to the editor: Center, synagogue contain so much of Sumter's Jewish history

It has been depressing trying to get through Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations and now Ezekiel. In the Catholic Bible, Baruch comes after Lamentations.

All the books talk about how God is angry, not only with Jerusalem and Judah but Egypt, Ethiopia, Babylon, Tyre and it seems like all the countries in that day. God warns Israel that he is going to destroy them for worshiping idols, turning away from him, and all their other sins. God sends prophets to warn his people, but they have eyes but are unable to see the truth and ears that are unable to hear it. Isaiah 32:3. Then there were prophets who lied to the people.

How will he cause these disasters to happen? By war, terrible diseases and famine.

Does that sound like what is happening to our world today? Some people might think in terms of "climate change." I believe that God is in charge of the weather.

Isaiah 24:5-6 says, "The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God's instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin. They are destroyed by fire, and only a few are left alive.

Now if you ever studied the kings of Judah and Israel you would know that when God was pleased with a good king everything seem to go right. When God was not pleased with a bad king everything seem to go wrong. Could that apply that to our presidents? The country suffers because of bad presidents. Think about it.

Now the main reason why I am writing this letter to the editor.

Baruch 4: 1 says

"Wisdom is the book of God's commandments,

the law that endures forever.

Those who keep her will live;

those who forsake her will die."

The 10 Commandments are simple and short. Yet according to the Torah there are 613 laws to maintain and protect its followers from total extinction. It includes what to eat and what not to eat along with all kind of laws that explain the 10 Commandments.

I went to visit Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, at 11 Church St. in downtown Sumter. They have a Torah Scroll that made its way from Czechoslovakia to Sumter. There is so much of Sumter's Jewish history in that synagogue and history center. Besides hearing about and seeing the synagogue you get to view displays in several rooms that tell about the many Jews who assimilated into Sumter going back to about 1815. You get to learn about some of the Jews who were very prominent in Sumter including politics, business and other areas.

That display will be there until Jan. 27, 2024. Hours are Thursday and Friday 1-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Phone (803) 773-2122.

JACQUELINE HUGHES

Sumter