A Light in Dark Times
A few weeks ago, Karin Beitel - our Kitah Zayin (7th grade) teacher - and I attended the ADL’s Never is Now conference in New York City. It was intense and emotional to learn from so many speakers about their personal stories confronting antisemitic acts and the efforts to combat them. They are genuine heroes doing the work on the ground to analyze situations and prevent attacks.
We heard from allies – people who are not Jewish who feel that the fight against antisemitism and hate is their fight as well as ours. I invite you to visit https://neverisnow.org/ to view recordings of some of the speakers. You can also find ways to connect with people like the ones we heard.
If this kind of work inspires you, I also invite you to get involved with Kulanu, a group of TBT members who work to advocate for and educate about the fight against antisemitism on the Shoreline. Contact Louis King to get involved.
Some of the sessions were disturbing. We learned about places on the internet where young people go to watch footage from mass casualty events and to venerate the killers. We learned about how some are perverting AI tools to create on-line games that teach hate. It was a lot to hear and learn, and I am grateful that the ADL and other organizations are actively monitoring and combating these sites and activities.
A true story. As the Metro North train approached my stop, a woman in the aisle fell right next to me. I got up to help her. When she had finally gotten herself back together, I was surprised to feel the train moving. I had just missed my stop, where my wife Audrey was waiting with our dog Lola to pick me up! I ran to the conductor near the train doors to ask how quickly I could get a return train at the next stop. He said it would be nearly an hour. I called Audrey, explained and apologized. She said she would come to that station to get me.
When she arrived, I walked to the car feeling foolish that I had missed the stop and put her to such trouble. She asked “Where is your suitcase?” I had completely forgotten it on the overhead rack. Having completed an on-line form with MTA in hopes of someday retrieving the bag, we sat down to dinner. When Lola began barking, I opened the front door to see the conductor of the train…with my suitcase!
He said “In nearly thirty years with the railroad, I have never done this. When I took your suitcase from the rack to turn it in at New Haven, I looked at the luggage tag. I know this street! My wife grew up in the next block! I had to bring it to you on my way home.”
I share this story because it fills me with hope and joy. My forgotten suitcase was not a tragedy. It was a nuisance. After a two-day emotional roller coaster, learning of awful things and wonderful people who work to prevent them and help those who have been hurt, the experience ended with a man going above and beyond for another person. Just because he could. And I invite you to join me in looking for opportunities to right some wrongs and do nice things, just because we can.
L’shalom,
Ira Wise, DJRE
Temple Educator