November 6, 2024
Letter to the Congregation: After Trump's Win
I was planning to make popcorn for election night. But when Florida’s returns came in, the popcorn lost its appeal. By 10:00 p.m. I was having memories of 2016, and I couldn’t watch any longer. I went to bed. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. but wouldn’t let myself start doomscrolling until 5:30 a.m. Later in the morning, I saw my daughter as she was getting ready. I gave her a big hug and tried to hide my tears. What do I tell her?
I had the urge to look for my dusty Howard Zinn books from college. I pulled out You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train and flipped to the end. I found the quotation that I hung on my wall when I was twenty. This seemed fitting for both of my teenagers, and perhaps for us, as they navigate this devastating time.
For many, if not all, of us, we feel fear deep in our bones. Nonetheless, our obligations have never been clearer: We must protect the vulnerable, repair the world, and refuse to harden our hearts. We must care for each other and care of ourselves.
Now is the time to grieve. We do not know what will come, but we must not allow ourselves to become isolated. We need community.
As a first step we will gather for a Shabbat potluck this Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society, Atrium Building. Following our meal we will have some structured time for community singing and reflection. Please register here and bring a vegetarian dish to share. If you are available to help set up or clean up, email Sean.
Jewish tradition teaches us that we are responsible for each other. We must stick together during this time and in the long months and years ahead. As we read in Pirkei Avot, “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it (2:21).”
With hope for better days ahead,
Rabbi Laurie