Memorial honors beheaded journalist Steven Sotloff

PINECREST, Fla. – The anguished father of slain journalist Steven Sotloff told hundreds gathered Friday afternoon at a memorial in suburban Miami that he is struggling to find a larger purpose in the loss of his son.

“I want to speak from my heart but my heart is broken,” Arthur Sotloff said during the afternoon service at Temple Beth Am.

With his voice cracking from emotion, he said: “Steven was my best friend. We went everywhere together. I have lost my son and best friend, but I know that his passing will change the world. He is in God’s hands now. He’s not suffering.”

A video recording of Steven Sotloff’s beheading by militants with the Islamic State was publicly released Tuesday. The 31-year-old freelance journalist disappeared in August 2013 while in Syria reporting on the country’s civil war.

“Is there a sorrow greater than this? Where’s our consolation?” asked Rabbi Terry Bookman, as he opened Friday’s memorial service.

“Can there be a lament greater than for a young life lost?” Bookman said.

Sotloff was the second American journalist killed by militants in recent weeks. A video released on Aug. 19 showed the beheading of reporter James Foley.

Among public figures who attended the 90-minute service were U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Charlie Crist, the former governor who is running against Scott.