Dear clients and friends:
I write to you today with a very heavy heart. I suppose I found a way to write the first sentence of this letter, but I’ll be honest and tell you that it is difficult to continue writing. And I am sure you know why.
Over the past few days, I’ve received multiple phone calls and emails from former and current clients and friends, all stunned by the news that has been coming at us from Israel and Gaza, and expressing their deep sorrow, affection, and support.
The senseless loss of precious life caused by Hamas’s barbaric, cold-blooded murder and kidnapping of women, children, the elderly, and first responders, which began on Shabbat, October 7ᵗʰ, on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, is unspeakable. The agony of so many people in that little green patch of land in the Middle East, is heartbreaking. The sorrow of the people of Israel, and the difficult situation that Hamas has put the Palestinian people in, tugs at the hearts of all but the cruelest amongst us.
What can any of us do? The conflict we see unfolding, yet again, right before our eyes, has deep roots. Nation states have worked, and will continue to work, on resolving these tragic disputes. But for those of us who want, there is an individual role as well. There are things that we can do.
For one thing, we must all speak out forcefully against the cruelty, bigotry, and hatred we just witnessed, as such mindsets have no place in civilized societies. Second, and I have shared my belief in this principle with you in the past, we are all part of the human race, and we must see in each other – in fact we are obligated to value in one another – our shared humanity. Today, for us, this can mean redoubling our efforts to say kind words to one another, ease each other’s anxiety and fears, lend a hand to others in need, and to keep doing all those many other good deeds that the holy books of all faiths ask for us to do.
All this we can do today, to give hope to the world! And we can do more: I ask you to join me in a prayer for all those suffering, ask God to ease their pain, and help us continue on the righteous path of civility and respect for each another’s dignity and humanity.
