The night of the inauguration, I was at a meeting of the steering committee of the Racial Equity Alliance of Lamoille (REAL). While the inauguration was mentioned by a few of us, the meeting was business as usual—an exploration of systemic racism within us and our communities. After a terrifying insurrection on American soil, after a second impeachment of the former president, after millions here and abroad watched the remarkable peaceful transfer of power, a small committed group of people in Lamoille were continuing to work on dismantling bigotry in our community.
Many know the quote from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I might add: it is the sum collection of the many, many small groups of thoughtful, committed citizens that change the world. We are the working engine of democracy.
The U.S. now has tragically surpassed 400,000 known deaths due to COVID, more loss than American soldiers fighting in WWII. May their memories be for a blessing. While the highest of offices makes an enormous difference in how we respond to the pandemic, we know that what each of us do—what we do in small groups—is no less important to the preservation of life itself.
If we have learned one thing through this all, it is that democracy is a fragile enterprise. Yet, as national youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman said at the inauguration: “But while democracy can be periodically delayed, / It can never be permanently defeated.” Certainly not when we each commit ourselves to the next steps of democracy: active, civic and community engagement towards the common good, with decency, with integrity, with hope. In the words of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “A meaningful life is: one lives not just for oneself but for one’s community.”
Finally, I encourage you to engage in some upcoming events with JCOGS, the wider Jewish community, and with the Lamoille arts community towards the common good:
To celebrate Tu Bishvat, the annual celebration of the birthday of the trees, the international Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest is taking place with dozens of programs to address the environmental crisis through the wisdom of Jewish tradition and community.
On Thursday night, JCOGS partners with Spruce Peak Performing Arts to bring you Let’s Tango, a masterful concert to uplift the spirit.
Then, next Friday night’s Shabbat Shira service will feature the music, clergy, and musicians from the first ever JCOGS produced album Hashkiveinu, by Rabbis Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg, Micah Shapiro, and myself. This is an album created in our holy JCOGS sanctuary with JCOGS musicians. Register here for the Zoom link and/or sign up to receive a CD delivered to your door. Digital release coming soon.
Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,
