As the events of Election Night unrolled, like many other Americans I found myself in shock and disbelief. How could so many of my fellow citizens willingly vote for a future that is so harsh, unforgiving, and antithetical to the things I hold dear?
America has always seemed to me like a safe haven, a place where people of all kinds could live, be accepted, and thrive. America has been very good to my family since we came here, and I have always believed that those things would continue. Now, I’m not so sure. Maybe we’re the fools for thinking things could be better.
A part of me wants to say “screw this, I’m out.” Hunker down and the hell with everyone else. Let someone else carry the burden. But that is not the right answer.
In a time like this, the only thing that makes sense to me is to remember what allowed the Jewish people to survive when the entire world was against us: Staying together and staying true to what matters to us.
We kept the faith. We had each other’s backs and we took care of each other when no-one else would.
That’s what we have to do now. We can’t change what has happened, but we can help each other to endure it.
It’s the only thing that makes sense to me right now.