7/31/24
Shalom chaverim. Peace friends. I reach out to you all with a deep desire for peace and calm. This past week has been an incredibly trying time in our local community – not that things were smooth sailing before the Park Fire broke out last Wednesday. In our global community there is ongoing tumult and unrest. We need peace. We plead to the Holy One, “Sim Shalom!” Bring peace!
July has been a month of loss and chaos. It has been a month of extreme heat here in Chico and a month of heated, strained relations on various world stages.
The month began with the devastating loss of one of our congregant’s homes in the Thompson Fire that broke out in Oroville. We’ve endured political unrest, an attempted assassination, ongoing conflict in Israel/Palestine. Then the Park Fire broke out, just a couple of miles from many of us – literally in our collective backyard. Our beloved Upper Park was in flames.
It is an understatement to say that this has opened up old wounds. Perhaps it is an understatement because for many these wounds have never really healed. The Camp Fire six years ago continues to loom large. For those who have suffered deep loss, the prospect of reliving these experiences is overwhelming.
In talking with people during this time, I have repeatedly heard the phrase, “Here we go again.” We can feel the stress, terror, anger, frustration that comes with feeling like the Camp Fire is happening again.
Yes . . . and . . . I am also witnessing “Here we go again” as the unceasing commitment to dedicate ourselves (again) to the love and care of our community. Just like the overflow of love and support, from every corner, that came after the Camp Fire, in a heartbeat, people have offered to give of themselves, to provide support, to listen, to comfort.
Those in our community directly impacted by the Thompson and Park Fires shared how deeply moved they were by the outpouring of love that came to them. In the midst of losing an entire home, and in the nerve wracking unknown of living as evacuees, the balm of kindness was offered. And the balm of kindness soothed.
Those from afar who heard about the fires immediately offered prayer and support. Members from Temple Beth Israel in Redding snapped into action to offer whatever might be needed to our affected members in Chico.
Chesed. Lovingkindness. It may be cliche and simplistic to say kindness is important. Yet, the value of lovingkindness is an anchor in our experience as humans, as Jews. We learn from Shimon the Righteous, “The world is based on three things – on the Torah, on the service of G-d, and upon acts of loving-kindness. (Pirke Avot 1:2).
In a world that is shaky and uncertain, our sages teach that one way to stabilize things is through kindness. May we grow in our ability to offer chesed, each of us giving the world just a little more support.
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