There Is No Expiration Date for Grief-Never Forget

As we commemorate 9/11 and the 25th Anniversary of the Terroist Attack, We also begin the celebration of the Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. It is a time for introspection, reflection, the acknowledgement of our lost loved ones, and a time of renewed hope. May the memories of our loved ones continue to bring a smile to our faces and continue to be a blessing in our lives. After the 9/11 attacks, the world exhibited kindness, empathy, compassion, and unity. Did it take a tragedy to show us that people are innately good? How soon after did we go back to treating people who aren't the same with disdain? During WWII, FDR wrongfully jailed 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were American Citizens. This was considered to be a violation of civil rights. It instigated prejudice and fear. Unlike FDR, after 9/11 President Bush thought it was important to visit a mosque and show that Islam was a religion of peace. Innocent Muslim American women were being harrassed in Michigan and should have had the freedom to worship. President Bush tried to set an example of grace and kindness at that time, exhibiting that just because someone is different, that does not make them bad. This week I had the opportunity to hear Mark Schowetter, a Holocaust survivor, tell his story of survival during WW II. The fact that he survived living in ditches (lying prone for a year) and intermittently hiding in barns and forests for years was astonishing. Even more amazing is that he continues to face each day with a smile, hope, and the will to live. Mark and his daughters started a foundation to educate school age children about the Holocaust. Their dream is to educate children not to hate, and to show tolerance and kindness towards all people. Presently, the statistic is that 46% of adults worldwide hold antisemetic beliefs. Mark's foundation believes that we must start with young children teaching them at an early age that all people are created equal and should be treated with tolerance and kindness. Antisemitism, Racism, Agism, Sexism, Misogyny, Homophobia, Transphobia, Islamophobia, religious bigotry-Hate in any form is unacceptable. There is no room for hate in any society. In our country, in addition to blatant Anti-Semitism, I am currently witnessing acts of violence, hate, and murder by ICE towards minorities each day. Many of the immigrants that ICE have been targeting happen to be hard working, tax paying people who have made our country a better place to live. How can we endorse sending innocent people back to dangerous countries where their lives are threatened? Another example of hate happened during Covid. At that time, we witnessed Anti Asian racism towards people of Chinese descent since Covid was first identified in Wuhan, China. All of this is unacceptable behavior and fuels even more prejudice and hatred in our society. We need to put the HUMAN back into HUMANITY. How can we better ourselves? Going forward, let's practice Unity. Try and do one act of kindness towards a friend, a relative, a stranger, your neighbor each day. Stand up for someone who is being bullied. Visit or give a call to someone who is lonely. Welcome a newcomer into your community. Thank someone for their assistance. Any small act of kindness will be embraced. Wishing all of you a Year filled with Health, Happiness, Hope, and Peace. PEACE OUT-ONE B