BY DIANE SLOYER
I have always been an emotional person and have been known to cry over commercials, TV shows and movies. It never took much. On October 7, I found myself crying for many days - unsurprisingly so. Then, unexpectedly, the tears stopped. I didn’t even realize it. I had become somewhat numb over the past two years, perhaps a defense mechanism to carry on amidst ongoing challenges facing Israel and us here at home.
During a recent visit to Santorini, Greece, just before meeting with the UJF Heritage Mission, I experienced a bit of an emotional breakdown. While waiting at our hotel reception, an older gentleman suddenly began screaming violently at the staff. I can’t remember hearing another human speak to another person this way. I was scared! Was he armed? Would he hurt them? Sadly, these thoughts have become our reality with all the violence going on in the world.
Feeling unsafe, I asked a staff member to call security. Once removed from the situation, I just broke down in tears. The staff was very kind and brought me tissues and water. I spent the day trying to pinpoint why I was so upset. I believe that his situation was just a trigger to release 2 plus years of pent-up emotion that I probably needed to suppress to carry on as our world just continued to get more and more complicated.
For so long, I had suppressed my feelings to stay focused on critical issues and the crises of the day: Israel, antisemitism, family health crises, and more. But that moment taught me an important lesson - it is okay to cry and sometimes we need to cry. We are not alone in our struggles. There is strength in vulnerability and community support in times of hardship.
At Federation, we strive to lift each other up, to stand together through pain and triumph alike - to support one another through these very difficult and challenging times. If anything, this experience reaffirms the power of our shared humanity and the healing that comes with allowing ourselves - and each other - to feel deeply.
Our struggles are far from over and we need each other more than ever. But a good cry, even brought on by a strange situation, has left me feeling like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. leaving me not just functioning but more optimistic about our collective purpose.
It was this need for connecting and community that led UJF to invest in bringing the community together. I hope you will join us on Saturday, December 13, when we will all be together As One to celebrate our wonderful and diverse Jewish community with a big blowout event - “One Shabbat, One CommUNITY.” Community members have been working for months on this get together so please join us. There will be something for everyone, and you can learn more at www.ujf.org/oneshabbat.
As we light the Chanukah candles later in December, we will be reminded of the miracles and of course the resilience of the Jewish People. We are a people of miracles and our faith and commitment to one another will help us write our next chapter!