Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

There are times when a confluence of conflicting events leaves us in a state of emotional limbo, if not turmoil. This past week seemed to be such a time.

I was saddened and somewhat in despair over the diminished prospects for passing meaningful voting-rights legislation, particularly as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Among Dr. King’s achievements was his instrumental role in getting the original voting-rights legislation passed in 1965.

I am also saddened that our press always seems to give a pass to the many who serve as continual obstacles to passing voting rights and who gleefully deny voting and voice to so many. It is not about whether it was a bad week for any one politician. It was a bad week for our country.

Pushing back against this despair was our Family Shabbat this past Friday night. We celebrated Shabbat, Tu B’Shevat (the new year for the trees) and Martin Luther King’s birthday. Erica Clinton led a challenging discussion for our kids on environmental degradation, and our kids were more than up to the challenge. By tying climate change and concern about our planet's future to how environmental degradation disproportionately impacts Black communities and the rural poor, Erica combined the Jewish values we learn on Tu B’Shevat with the values taught to us by Dr. King. This was a special moment.

Then on Saturday, our Shabbat was painfully disrupted by the news that four hostages were being held in a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. The hostages were taken as they had gathered for Shabbat worship.

Thank G-d the hostages were unharmed. Yet I remain concerned for how they will recover emotionally from the trauma. I remain concerned about the ongoing anti-Semitism that we must confront and about the safety of our Jewish people. A time of despair.

Finally, I hold on to the example set by one of those hostages, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker.  The rabbi has for a long time now forged strong and meaningful relationships with the Muslim leaders in his community. Those leaders stood with his Congregation Beth Israel during this very difficult time. Rabbi Cytron-Walker is unwavering in his support for and connection with those leaders.  

It is his example that I hold onto. The example of love over hate and hope over fear. The challenge to hold onto what is good as we face those voices of hate is great. Yet it is my firm conviction that the good in the world outweighs the bad, and I continually seek out those many good people, both within and outside Kol Ami, as my source of hope and strength.