There is Hope
There are signs of hope.
Every day, the news from Israel sounds, well, increasingly dismal. And, yet, there are other stories, too.
I read the Israeli English-language newspaper Haaretz most days, both for its up to date reports but also for its deeper dive into to the culture and society of Israel. These stories often focus on ordinary people, trying to live life in a way that is healing. I am including a quick overview of three of these stories. May they serve as reminder that, amid all the tension and turmoil, there are bright spots.
Muataz Najib is a Arab Israeli in Jerusalem. He is the director of security at a small shopping mall at Hadassah University Hospital, a premier Jewish hospital in Jerusalem. Muataz rose through the ranks at the mall, starting as a janitor and gaining more and more responsibility and trust. He is part of a growing trend in Israel – Arab Israelis working in the security industry. In fact, over 40 percent of security officers in Jerusalem are Arab Israelis, according to Haaretz.
Ibrahim Abu Ahmad and Amira Mohammed are the hosts of 'Unapologetic.’ It’s a new podcast about Palestinians in Israel who are involved in the peace movement. “The goal is to give a voice to the people who lead by example. People who aren't scared by the ramifications of speaking up and talking about their belief in hope and peace,” says Amira.
The organization Standing Together is a growing Jewish-Palestinian pro-peace organization, led by Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green. It is bringing people together for solidarity conventions across the country, has established an emergency phone service for people experiencing discrimination that’s staffed by 300 volunteers and established chapters on 9 university campuses in Israel. "Joining the movement became a life-changing journey for me," Rula says.
In the Jewish tradition, there is a legend of the “Lamed Vavniks.” According to this legend, at any one time, there are 36 truly righteous people alive on Planet Earth. (The letters Lamed-Vav is the numerical equivalent of 36.) The twist – nobody know who the Lamed Vavniks are – including the Lamed Vavniks themselves. In fact, if somebody claims to be a Lamed Vavnik, they certainly are not – since a true Lamed Vavnik would not be so immodest. As a result, we must act like we are a Lamed Vavnik and we must treat others like they are Lamed Vavniks, just in case that it is true.
Amid the horror unfolding in the Middle East, there are Lamed Vavniks. They exist. And, just knowing that, well maybe it will make everybody just a little bit kinder.
