Dear Friends,
This week as I drive down the Masspike or through some of our own local towns, I see the American Flag going up in many places as the country prepares to mark Memorial Day.
On several bridges I saw a sign that said "all gave some, some gave all", powerful words than can help us pause and remember the sacrifice of so many, who helped America and so many others have freedom and peace.
In the week of yet another terrible and devastating tragedy with the school shooting in Texas, we are reminded of how much work we still need to do to help this country and all of humanity live up its full potential.
As we remember those who gave their lives for this country, let us remember what they gave it for, for the equality of all people and for all people to be treated fairly and kindly. Certainly, those who gave everything did it because they believed that they were doing something that would enable others and future generations to live in peace and security and to be able to live better lives.
America has so much good in it and the list is long, but we also have some major challenges in society which require us to do some soul searching and to truly work together to make society a healthier, kinder and more meaningful place.
- 107,000 drug overdoses were reported in 2021, a staggering and devastating number.
- 50,000 suicides across the USA in 2021.
- A major Mental Health Crisis, that has so many people struggling with not enough help or support, that has been raging for years and has not gotten any easier.
- A huge amount of people are homeless, with a place like Los Angeles alone, having nearly 60,000 people living on the streets.
And the list can go on and on....
Of course we want to focus on all the good and all the blessings of which there are truly so many, but we must also remember how much work we need to do to help uplift and better society.
Some of the questions we need to ask ourselves and be proactive about might be;
- How can we help people get more help and support when they are struggling with mental health or other challenges?
- What are we doing collectively and individually to help people who are falling through the cracks
- How can we empower people to feel a sense of purpose and mission in life?
- What are we doing personally and collectively, to help make society a kinder and nicer place to all?
- Are there people that we can make a difference too, simply by greeting them properly or saying hello to?
The list is long and the work is hard, but the change starts locally and from our own organic circle and sphere of influence.
Of course this is all besides everything that the authorities need to do to stop tragedies like these from happening again and which we pray and stand behind them as they seek to do so.
While we may not be able to eradicate all evil just yet, yet certainly we can make a difference, and do our part as individuals and collectively as a society, to make this world a kinder and better place .
Let us honor those who gave all, by doing our part to give some.
Shabbat Shalom
Yisroel