Lo Alecha Hamlacha ligmor aval lo atah ben chorin l’hibatel mi’menah, It’s not up to you to carry the weight on your own, but neither are you free to turn away. (Cantor Becky Mann)
Community is the result of shared effort, communication, compromise, compassion, and shared resources. Humans are meant to be connected; we are social beings that need community. Communities thrive when all members contribute in meaningful ways, have a sense of belonging, and benefit from being part of the community. It is through community that no one individual has to finish or carry the work alone, and at the same time, community only thrives with shared effort. As I reflect upon this idea, so much in my life feels connected to it at this juncture.
As a parent of people who are in the process of launching into adulthood, as a former school board member who is still deeply concerned about the current challenges within public education both locally and nationally, as an advocate for learners with disabilities uncertain about how their rights will be protected within the diminishing Department of Education, as a woman experiencing and witnessing attacks on women’s autonomy and rights, as a congregant who knows that membership and engagement continues to be a challenge for Temple Jeremiah and many, many religious organizations, and as a citizen who values democracy, the rule of law, the checks and balances within the U.S. Constitution, and the separation of church and state not turning away out of a sense of overwhelming powerlessness, feels like a daily challenge. None of this work is done, and it may never be finished. I regularly find myself actively reflecting upon the need to balance staying engaged, contributing to the work at hand, and self-preservation. With so many aspects of life within communities that I care deeply about under attack, in transition, or vulnerable, standing up for my values, supporting my community, and caring for myself, my husband, my family, and my friends feels challenging these days. So how does one strike a balance?
For me, the answer is to stay true to my values within my daily life. Prioritizing my family, friends, and myself, and then making efforts through work, volunteering, and advocacy to make a difference for others. Taking actions each week to be the parent to my increasingly independent teen and young adult children’s needs, working and volunteering in education, serving on the Board of my local League of Women Voters, advocating for learners with disabilities in the spaces I am in, regularly communicating with my representatives in local, state, and national government to express my views and defend our democracy, connecting with family and friends, and engaging with Temple Jeremiah’s Leadership Development and Social Justice efforts.
I also find great comfort in learning about the ways my family, friends, and others are doing the work. When my family can, we support the work of others with our time, talent, or financial support. If we each prioritize the areas of life that we value deeply and fight for our values, our combined efforts will continue the work. As tempting as it is to turn away when there seems to be entirely too much work ahead, continuing to do what each of us can do is the path forward that will help our communities thrive.