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Economic hardship challenges all of us. And yet we know well from our own history that it is exactly at such times of hardship that this community spirit that we so cherish often flourishes; that our communal feeling, our common sense of responsibility, that remarkable understanding of interdependence that our ancestors knew so well comes to the surface.
In my poverty alleviation work in Asia and Africa, I have seen countless instances in which groups and individuals come together for mutual assistance, particularly in times of need. In parts of Indonesia, each household at harvest time places in common storage a prescribed amount of grain – and this grain is distributed to the neediest families later in the year. In Ethiopia, there is an Amharic term which translates roughly as “oppression of the soul.” If you’ve lost a child or a spouse, you are characterized as having “oppression of the soul,” and the community picks up your responsibilities. And the most poignant example of all: I’ve seen – too many times – destitute families put aside all pride and carry the wrapped corpse of a departed loved one to the marketplace. Those present at the market set small coins on the body until enough has been raised to pay for a burial. In time, there are always enough coins.
In Jewish communities, over time, we have seen countless examples of this interdependence, this selfless giving during times of hardship. One Holocaust story that made an indelible impression on me is the story of the orphanage in the Warsaw Ghetto. Surely every family in the Ghetto had its own pressing needs and concerns. Yet they collectively supported this orphanage and other such services, some even choosing to remain in the Ghetto when offered escape so that they could provide necessary services. One such individual was the physician and writer Henryk Goldszmit. Goldzmit became so devoted to the children of this orphanage that when, in August 1942 the moment of deportation finally arrived, he just couldn’t abandon them, he just couldn’t let them go alone, and so he stayed with them – all the way to Treblinka.
But also plenty of examples right here in Brattleboro, friends. When Gary was struck with MS and without any form of health insurance, BAJC rallied around him and his family. When Jesse was stricken with leukemia we did the same. When two year old Talia was diagnosed with a weak heart, we cooked meals for the family. We take turns driving loved ones to the hospital for treatment. Our students provide Shabbat meals at Morningside Shelter and raise money to purchase bed nets to combat malaria in Africa.
Let’s continue to be a community that offers Chanukah celebrations and Passover seders at nursing homes, providing comfort to those who are ill. And when they move on to Olam Haba, the World to Come, let us continue to cleanse and pray over their bodies, and sit with them until it is time to lay their bodies in the earth.
Let’s continue to support projects for disadvantaged children in the Dominican Republic and Argentina and India. Let’s continue providing counseling to families in need. Let’s continue working together with those of other faith communities in efforts to meet the needs of our community while taking actions together that will help save our planet. Let’s continue to stand together with our Muslim brothers and sisters at this time of trial. Let’s continue helping to bring peace and reconciliation and justice to Israel and Palestine. In the truest spirit of community, when any one of us does any of these things, we do them on behalf of all of us. It is acts such as these that truly demonstrate our tikkun olam – the great mission of our people.
B’Shalom,
Jim
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