I am not ok… and I know that you aren’t either.
The events of the last week have been gut-wrenching, to say the least.
I am not a historian nor a politician; there are other resources to help you better understand the issues, the complex history or what tomorrow may bring. I don’t have any profound insight into where we go from here or how we heal.
But I know that each and every one of us – whether we’re part of the Jewish community by religion or by choice – is broken and hurting.
Amidst all this horror and chaos, Early Childhood Directors have been thrust into the role of therapist, risk management assessor, security expert and cheerleader – all while managing our own fears, anxieties, and devastation. I wish I could give you comfort or reassurance.
On several of our ECE-RJ calls this past week, several people talked about some version of “I prefer to deal with COVID”. The pandemic was stressful and traumatic, but it was foreign and equally distributed. This is terribly personal. The names and the faces are etched into my brain, and I somehow can’t get myself to turn off the news and step away from social media.
All I can say is that I am with you. I urge you to please lean into this incredible community we’ve built, where together we will find comfort.
Some of you know that I grew up in Young Judaea; and there is a song that we sang on Saturday nights that has been on repeat in my brain since I woke up on October 7th. It’s painful, but somehow it gives me comfort and so I am sharing it here in case it helps you as well.
Ain Li Eretz Acheret (I have no other country) by Ehud Manor
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Ain li eretz acheret, Gam im admati bo’erert Rak mila b’ivrit choderet El orkai, el nishamati Beguf ko’ev Belev ra’ev Kan hu beyti.
Lo eshtok Ki artzi shinta et paneha, Lo avater la, Azkir la Ve’ashir kan be’ozneha. Ad shetifkach et eyneha. |
I have no other country, Even if my land is burning. Only a Hebrew word Reaches my veins and my soul. With an aching body, With a hungry heart, Here is my home.
I will not be silent Should my country change its face. I will not give up, I will remind her and sing in her ear, Until she opens her eyes |
You can hear it here: Ain Li Eretz Acheret
I am thinking of all of you and I know that you join me in prayer for the return of the captive, the healing of the wounded and comfort to all who are in mourning.
Lisa Samick, President, ECE-RJ
Resources and Donations for Israel
Resources:
- How You Can Support Israel During This Time of Great Tragedy and Mourning | Union for Reform Judaism (urj.org)
- Kveller article written by Sivan Zakai “How to Talk to Kids About What’s Happening in Israel Right Now”
Donations:
Donate to the JNFA Campaign
Jewish Federations are responding, working with our core partners to support victims of terror, help rebuild damaged infrastructure, and address the unprecedent levels of trauma caused by this horrific attack.
