Turning Darkness Into Light

Today began like any other Friday.  I got up, excited to celebrate Chanukah with the TBE community this evening.  I got to school. Studied.  Went to class.  But during my class, my phone was vibrating and glowing with notifications.  I sat there for two hours trying to pay attention to my classmates, as my mind kept drifting to places outside the classroom.  I was thinking about the students, educators and administrators of Newtown, CT.  I was thinking about the local officials trying to help a community facing such tragedy.  But I was also thinking about my kids.  No, I'm not a parent.  But I have the honor of working with thousands of youth throughout the year.  They're my kids.  They're our kids.  I want to make the world a better place for them.  And I can't even begin to understand what's going on in Connecticut right now.  I exchanged greetings with my classmates, and ran to my car to turn on my radio.  I sat in my car and listened.  I listened to parents crying.  I listened to members of a shaken community asking why such a thing would happen, and why it had to be them.  I listened to an emotional President address our nation:

And then my mom called.  Even though I'm 30, and am in the middle of finals in my grad program at school, some things don't really change.  Ever.  It's nice when your mom calls you when you're upset about something.  I'm thinking about the young lives that were lost.  I'm thinking about a community that needs a whole lot of love and support right now.  And I'm thinking about the program I ran for NFTY Northeast when I was an Overall at December Institute my senior year of high school where I had my peers write letters to their local officials asking for stronger laws around gun control.  That was 12 years ago.

But right now, our Junior Youth Groupers are having a blast at their Chanukah Extravaganza.  Our community will light the Chanukiyah and celebrate the 7th night of Chanukah and Shabbat with song, community and plenty of delicious fried food.  And on Sunday, we'll gather to celebrate the end of the holiday, engaging in acts of tikkun olam and enjoying the music of Safam.  We have much to be thankful for.  And yet, our hearts and prayers are with those in Newtown.  As we light our Chanukiyot and Shabbat candles, may some of our light illuminate our fractured world. May those affected by this tragedy find some form of shalom this Shabbat.  And may we hug our friends and family a little tighter, sing a little louder and come together and continue our efforts to make this world a better place.

I hope you'll join us tonight and on Sunday.  More information can be found on our website: http://tbeyouth.org/chanukah.  Also, here are some articles and resources worth checking out:

RJ.org: Coming Together After Tragedy

Union for Reform Judaism: Bereavement

Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism:
Reform Movement Horrified by CT School Shooting; Reaffirms Call for Sensible Gun Control

The Jewish Bereavement Project

NFTY: Reflecting on Tragedy

Zichronam Livracha - may the memories of the departed be for a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom.