Choosing Hope

By Richard S. Moline
Director of College Outreach (KOACH)
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

The older I get, the more I realize what I don't know. And the more I realize what I don't know, the more I simply don't understand. The events of the past few days have brought that into profound focus.

There have been two very different kinds of devastation and desperation which have affected our Jewish world and our broader world this past month. The first was the disengagement from Gaza. Regardless of where one stands on the issue, the images of people leaving the homes and lives they've built was heart wrenching. Children and young adults who knew no other community as their home, adults who helped build institutions, developed a land and an infrastructure, now have to start all over again.

The second, a very different kind of event, lies in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The result of this force of nature was far more abrupt. At this writing, there's not even speculation on a death toll, nor is there a price tag on the physical damage. Devastation is too mild a word.

What do these two seemingly separate and unrelated events have in common?  The disengagement was a human creation. A government made the decision. Plenty of notice was given to the inhabitants of Gush Katif, as the area is known. Thank God, with an exception or two, life was spared. Katrina, on the other hand, was far less benevolent. No notice. No protest time. No attempts possible to try and change the result. So what elements do they share?

For one, desperation. The abhorrent use of Holocaust imagery by those involved in the Gush Katif protests did more than cross a line. It desecrated the memory of those who perished in the Shoah and of those who fought so bravely against the enemy. There is no moral (or amoral) equivalency here. It was a sacrilege. Those who threw acid on Israeli soldiers also acted out of desperation. Simply no excuse.

In New Orleans, there was looting. Not just of food and water and diapers, which are in short supply; in a way, I can almost understand that. But there was looting of television sets, of other appliances and of guns. Snipers shot at rescuers. Humanity is losing to hopelessness. In such awful conditions, perhaps this is what happens.

On the other hand, these two incidents have also provided us with opportunities to witness the power of the human spirit. Israeli soldiers were seen hugging those they were sent to evacuate. Tears were shed together. Prayers were shared - in synagogues, in homes and on the street.

And in the days after Katrina struck, citizens of the world have opened their hearts, their wallets and their homes. Money, offers of shelter and more have come rushing in as fast as the flood waters themselves. My prayer is that we realize the needs are not momentary, but long-term. In that way, we may at least partially triumph over the destruction.

So how do we connect the dots?  I believe there's a message as we begin the academic year and prepare for the Yamim Noraim - the Days of Awe - the High Holidays.

We make choices in life. Most of the choices we make are mundane. Yet when we're pushed to the wall, when we face despair and melancholy, what choices do we make?

The staff of KOACH joins me in wishing you a wonderful beginning to the year and a Shanah Tovah U'metukah  - a good, sweet year - a year of good health, contentment, productivity and success. And we hope to see you on campus - in Hillel - and at KOACH events throughout the year. Please be in touch if there is anything we can do to help.

[Posted 9/5/05]