Eloheinu Sheba-shamayim U'va'aretz,

Our God in Heaven and Earth.

Last Shabbat, as a nation and as a people, we experienced overwhelming sadness at the disaster which struck the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia.

This Shabbat, we ask You to comfort us.

Help us to understand the unfathomable.

Help us explain the inexplicable.

We know that to live life to the fullest, as You intended it to be lived, means taking risks.

As we remember those who risked their lives in the quest for greater knowledge, may we be blessed with the willingness to take those reasonable risks that will further the goals we share with You, God, in building a better universe.

Esa eynai el he-harim - - I lift my eyes to the mountains, says the Psalmist.  May-ayin ya-vo ezri?  From where will my help come?

Ezri mey-im Adonai - - my help comes from Adonai - - Oseh shamayim va'aretz - - the One who fashions heaven and earth.

We recall the names of Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark and Ilan Ramon.

They indeed lifted themselves to the heavens in search of a better understanding of God's earth.

They leave behind children, spouses and parents  - -and the hopes, dreams and aspirations of millions in at least three different countries.

May their souls be bound up in the bond of eternal life.  May we always remember their deeds and their desire for Tikun Olam - - repair of our shattered world.

Oseh Shalom Bimromav.

This Shabbat, God, may you truly make peace in the heavens.

Aleinu, al kol yisrael, v'al kol yoshvei teiveil.

Upon us, upon all of our people and upon the entire world, as we rise and observe a moment of silence in memory of these precious souls.