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Writer's pictureCongregation Kol Ami

The day after and the day after that: Jews as model minorities in our new reality

Dear Kol Ami Members and Friends,


Today, we embark on a new journey as Americans. The election results are in, and the majority has spoken. Jewish Americans made our voices heard, and we voted 79 percent for the party that lost. As a Jewish community, our values and vision for this nation are clear. We value democracy, equality, civility, honesty, compassion, and service to others. Our values have not changed and will not change. Losing has never been a deterrent for the Jewish people in fulfilling their destiny. We will continue to be a force for good in society and our world even as we experience a swell in antisemitism here and abroad.


Today, we grieve. This is not the direction many of us want our nation to take. People in our community and our lives are looking at uncertain futures. Especially women and our gay and trans siblings. Immigrants too. Some of us are grieving, but some of us are terrified. Now more than ever, we need to hold and hold onto each other. Extend ourselves to each other and our greater community.


Today, sit on the floor and cry, scream, wail. Drink water. Take a nap. Go for a walk. Call a friend.


Tomorrow, we begin organizing ourselves as a sacred community to ensure we can hold and keep safe those most impacted by this election and the policy consequences that will arise from these changes in our nation's leadership. Most importantly, we push forward for the sake of our children—those who inherit the future from us.


What to do next?


Let's continue to be the model minority we have been in this nation for so long. We have made outstanding contributions to building this democracy, and now is the time to push forward. Who is in danger, who is at risk, who is afraid, and who is suffering? These are the people and issues we must attend to in the years ahead.


For as long as we have been Americans, we Jews have thrived in our democracy, and we have used the rights afforded to us in our constitution to advocate for those who need uplift and support. We have never taken for granted our democracy and the rights it has given us. We know this has been the safest place in the world for Jews to live and thrive. Tomorrow, but not today, is the time to model what it means to be an active, loving, and generous minority group within this nation. We embody the strength, resilience, and compassion for others as Jews, uniquely positioning us in today's society.


Today, we mourn.


Tomorrow, we keep going. Our prerogative as Jews is to partner with the Divine in healing and repairing the world, caring for the planet and all God's creatures, bringing light where there is darkness, and being a light to the nations.


Our mission has not changed. We know tyrants. We have stood up to them before. And we are still walking towards the promised land. On our way, we have always looked behind us. We look behind us to make sure no one is left behind. We look behind us as we journey to make sure we know who is chasing us, who is after us, and who might get in our way and block us from reaching our goal. We look behind us so we can better navigate what is ahead.


AHEAD is the only direction we have. Ahead is the home of our children and grandchildren.


Saturday at 7 p.m., Kol Ami is hosting a special post-election Havdalah. RSVP here. We will have a chance to connect, pray, and consider the road ahead together.


We are strong and in a position to give strength to others. We can model resilience, grit, and enduring hope. This cannot be taken from us. We will only grow stronger under these difficult circumstances.


Come show up and help us build the energy our society needs right now—the power of goodness and mutual support, the energy of making things better even amid great darkness.


And if you need a lifeline, support today, tomorrow, or the next day, if this election has taken you down to the ground, please know I am here. My cell is 360-280-5372.


I am sending love to you all. Today, I am in a state of grief, but my gratitude for this community and all the goodness it brings into the world is enduring. Please join us this week for our Torah study this afternoon, our Friday night service, our Torah study and service on Shabbat morning, and our Havdalah gathering this Saturday night.


Judaism makes life better. It is a source of strength and wisdom beyond what we can logically comprehend. If you need to believe in something today, believe in


A. The power of Judaism and the Jewish people to keep on no matter what. We will not stop until we reach the promised land for all.


AND


B. Believe in the power of your voice, impact, and ability to bring light and goodness into this world one act at a time.


May God bless and keep you and our nation. May we shine our bright light as we face the darkness of authoritarianism. Being role models in our world for goodness. May we walk hand in hand into our uncertain future, confident that together, we can mend what is torn and elevate those made low by hatred and bigotry.


In love and solidarity,

Rabbi Kinberg













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