Living in Challenging Times

November 7, 2024

Dear Solelniks,

On Tuesday, November 5th, Election Day in the United States, I was standing at the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The view cannot adequately be captured in photographs, although I snapped a lot of them. Looking out at the multicolored rocky cliffs and down into the river valley below, the textured landscape splashed with hues of reds, yellows, purples, grays, whites and greens, stretching up to the open skies above, I found myself overcome with awe. Awe at the panoramic perspective stretching out in front of me, awe at the natural beauty, and awe at the magnificence of creation. In the words of Psalm 92:6 “How great are your works Eternal One, how profound your design.”

Looking out at the Canyon, breathing in the crisp cold air, I was enveloped in a sense of calm and peace, knowing that this magnificent site came into being long before us and will continue to exist long after us. We, tiny humans on this planet, are here for a short time. What is important is what we do with that time, knowing that the impact that we have in the lives of our family, friends, and community, is what matters most.

Friends, it is a very challenging time in the world that we live in, a time of great upheaval and uncertainty. On Tuesday, after much anticipation, Americans reelected former president Donald Trump, a Republican, to the presidency over Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Galant in the middle of the longest war in Israeli history and replaced him with someone who has no military background and no knowledge of the ongoing negotiations. I am very aware that the outcome of any election and governmental change can elicit a range of emotions. Many of us here in Canada are well aware of the effects that both of these events will have on our Jewish community, our country, our loved ones in the US and Israel, and in the wider world. Many of us are feeling grief, anxiety, and fear. For others, this news is a welcome outcome. Each of us is entitled to our opinions and convictions. Solel remains an inclusive and welcoming congregation for all our members.

If you are feeling fragile and vulnerable, if you are feeling bad or scared or angry or confused, know that you are not alone. Go slow. Pay attention to some small beautiful things in your life. We don’t need answers or a plan or even understanding right now. Breathe. Read a poem. Pray for someone who truly lives on the margins and who is even more at risk now. Be kind. Show kindness to others and to yourself.

Know also that you continue to have agency, that what you do even in your small corner of the world matters. Our Jewish tradition reminds us that we have the responsibility to continue caring for and fighting for the vulnerable in our society. So, if you are grieving today, take a small action, one that will help you and others now and in the future. Do one good thing today. And we will get up each day and continue to do the next right thing. Not because the world is perfect, But because this is who we are called to be, who we want to be, even if the world is far from perfect.

“Rabbi Tarfon would say, you are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. Do not be daunted by the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now.” (Pirke Avot 2:20, Micah 6:8, Rabbi Rami Shapiro)

L’shalom,
Rabbi Audrey S. Pollack

Filed under: Rabbi's Message

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