I had a post written. It went out the window. Instead, we’re here.
In memoriam for the Jews and non-Jews murdered in Australia marking the festival of light, Hanukkah.
In memoriam for the people murdered at Brown University in Rhode Island in the US.
We lit the menorah last night and said the equivalent of a blessing (I’m not religious – just a culturally strong Jew) for those who lost their lives.
They are gone and I weep for their loved ones.
In acknowledgement … Well, for the gentleman, Ahmed al Ahmed, who runs a fruit shop and is a husband and father, who risked his own life to disarm one of the Bondi gunmen. Not Jewish – just someone with courage and a good heart.
From his actions I am reminded of the German man who worked for my grandparents in the late 1930s in the town where they lived in southern Germany. He wasn’t Jewish but on Kristallnacht (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristallnacht if you’re not familiar) he protected my grandparents and my mother. They survived and were able to flee Nazi Germany soon after.
Both of them are among the righteous.
I refuse to say the stock phrases. Am I angry? Yes. Do I think this sort of hatred can be defeated, yes again. But it’s not going to be simple or easy and it’s not going to come from politicians anywhere. It’s on all of us – the small and big things will come from us.
Pics: wiki
How have those in power across the globe not seen history repeating itself?
Never more has the adage “Power corrupts & absolute power corrupts absolutely” been applicable.
This weekend’s incidents have saddened me deeply.
Yet the courage & selflessness shown by Ahmed Al-Ahmed who was injured whilst disarming one gunman, is a true bright light in our darkness.
Other heroes were Boris & Sophia Gurman who confronted the other gunman before they were tragically murdered for their bravery.
Cinnamon, this is a beautifully written post that no one should ever have to write. I decided long ago to always keep hope alive and never forget that there are truly good people among us, quietly living their lives. Sadly the cruel and evil wants to make itself known more and more and more. Personally, I have to believe that though the righteous are quieter, they are the greater. I am also not religious at all, but reading what I just wrote sounds like an ancient battle of good vs evil and light vs dark.
Thank you for writing this. It’s too bad the US has leadership that will gleefully show what terrible people they are.
Thank you for this. I share your sorrow. Yesterday was also the anniversary of the mass murders at Sandy Hook Elementary School, not far from where I grew up and near the town where my sister was teaching at another elementary school. It is outrageous that our elected officials won’t protect us better.
This has been a bad week (end) through and through, culminating with the horrific deaths of the Reiners. Thank you for your post. I have hope for better days, but right now, my heart is heavy, particularly in light of the person at the helm right now.
Thank you, Cinnamon. What terrible, strange times we are in right now. But people turned out strong for the Hanukkah celebration on the Plaza yesterday, which was wonderful.
People are nuts. Seems like things have gotten worse in the past few years and one can’t blame Covid for this.
Thank you, Cinnamon, for shining light in a dark world that seems filled with some people eager to spread hatred. I don’t understand them, but I take hope that Light is stronger than darkness. Posse peeps are a light-filled beacon that brighten my weeks.
Thank you so much for expressing these thoughts so eloquently. I heartily agree with what you wrote.
Thank you for this beautiful post. I too am glad you are here because of a kind righteous person.
Thinking of those whose lives were lost, those who loved them, and all of us feeling the heartbreak of living in a world with such hate and violence. May the ocean of suffering run dry.
Thank you for the reminder that the righteous are among us
Hey Cinnamon,
Too much hate and too many guns.
I wish for a world with neither.
How fortunate your grandparents were. Grateful we have you because of it.
Portia xx