Of Wildfires, Wilder Tweets, Wildest Dreams.

Wildfires.    Tens of thousands of people were evacuated in northern Israel and 800 homes were damaged in a tragic series of fires that burned in northern Israel.  Throughout the 4-day ordeal, Hands of Peace alums from across Israel, Palestine and the U.S. frequently checked in with each other to make sure everyone was OK.  We heard from alums in Haifa that they could see smoke in the distance from their windows as they awaited potential evacuation orders.  Word from alums in Umm El Fahm and northern towns in the West Bank was that things were hectic, but everyone was OK.  Outside of the HOP community there were many acts of kindness.  People helping people.  Regardless of background or nationality.  Arab communities reached out to shelter Jewish evacuees.   Jews and Palestinian Citizens of Israel worked side by side to salvage treasurers from a burning restaurant.   Palestinian fire brigades travelled from Jenin to help fight fires in Haifa.   Yet despite these many acts of kindness, some  people within and outside the governments  used the fires as a chance to spread something more dangerous than flames: Fear, anger, distrust and misinformation .   Still, it is important to remember that the majority of those near the fires reacted bravely, supporting each other in time of crisis.  Most important, we are relieved that all in the HOP community are safe.   

 

Wilder Tweets.   Meanwhile back in the U.S., we have dealt with a firestorm of hatred not seen here in decades.  Regardless of which candidate we as individuals supported during the election, there is no doubt that incidents of hatred, racism, and bigotry have increased in the past month.  Swastikas painted on synagogues.  Muslim American women having their hijabs pulled from their heads in public, while being told  "go back to your own country".  LGBTQ Americans fearing that hard-fought rights would be taken from them.  Tweets and other social media outbursts targeting religious and ethnic minorities have gone too far.  #SiegHeil and #DeportMuslims hashtags offend not only Jews and Muslims, but all of us who are committed to equality and social justice.  Signs stating "Make America  Great  White Again" occasionally pop up online, behind the anonymity of the Internet.  Many American organizations, including HOP, are fighting back against this increasingly visible hatred - a hatred that is not new, but is just being spewed by an increasingly emboldened minority who feel it is now OK to stick their heads above the radar and condemn "the other".  The majority of Americans - regardless of which way they voted - reject hatred and bigotry.  Now is the time for all of us in the U.S. to stand up against the vocal fringes of our society. 

Wildest Dreams.    Despite the abundance of nastiness during the past month, I remain an optimist.  I firmly believe that the majority of people in every country, culture, religion support equality.   And I look to November's Thanksgiving holiday as a reminder of all I am thankful for.  I am thankful that we live in a world with diverse and rich traditions where we can learn what makes each of our cultures beautiful.  I am thankful for stories of kindness that I read every day of strangers helping strangers, without regard to their beliefs, social status, or race.   I am thankful that 2016 was the year that I got to meet so many of you, and learn about the things you selflessly do in your lives for the good of others.    

So at this wild time, let me thank YOU for giving me the opportunity to serve Hands of Peace.  And let me encou rage each of you - from teen to senior citizen and everyone in between - to look for opportunities to share peace, love, and compassion with those who are different from you.   In my wildest dreams I see us making a difference, both in our local communities and around the world.

Shalom, Salaam, Peace . . .  and a very happy New Year,