Holding So Many Truths.
Yesterday, April 7, 2022, 2 young, best friends, Israelis, were murdered by terrorists while out in downtown Tel Aviv, marking the 13th murder of an Israeli in 2 weeks. Also on April 7, Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman, was finally elected to the highest court in America. To be an American Jew is to mourn and to celebrate. To hold so many truths at once. 13 people have been murdered and dozens more have been injured by terrorist attacks in Israel in recent weeks. We mourn for the innocent lives lost, their families, and loved ones. And we are wishing all those wounded a speedy and full recovery. Baruch Dayan Emet. May their memories be a blessing and a comfort.
There are many reasons to listen to a Jewish friend and learn about their experiences as a Jew. To try to understand how another is feeling is one of the greatest acts of empathy one can provide. Hillel at Miami recently launched an education opportunity entitled, "Jewish student identity, inclusion, and antisemitism on campus". This is Miami's opportunity to learn why terrorist attacks in Israel are felt so deeply by diaspora Jews. This is Miami's opportunity to learn how to include Jews in your spaces, regardless of your feelings about Israel. . Bring it to your Greek house, your dorm, your staff meeting. This is how you live your values.
Nisan is supposed to be the Hebrew month of freedom — it is home to Passover, a Jewish holiday dripping in themes of freedom. Nisan is also the first month of the Jewish calendar. The Torah calls Nisan Hodesh HaRishon (the First Month). Because the Israelites left Egypt in Nisan, it is the "first month" in the life of the Israelites as a free people. The Hebrew word "Nisan" may also be related to the Hebrew word nitzan, which means "bud." Nisan marks the birth of spring, signaled by the arrival of new buds and the birth of the Israelite nation. Physical and spiritual seeds are planted in Nisan—seeds for the summer crop and seeds of freedom and liberation. We pray that the seeds planted in Nisan for this year will be one of equity: of freedom from the double standard that Israel and Jews are constantly battling. If you’d like to know how to be a part of this month of freedom, contact Avi Dave, Hillel at Miami Springboard Fellow, at avid@muhillel.org for more information on our Jewish student identity and inclusion workshop.
Shabbat Shalom. May this Shabbat find us all in peace.
