Yom Hashoah begins this night at sundown. It is a time for Jews and all of the world to pay respect to those who perished in the Holocaust under Nazi rule – millions of people: gypsies, gays, clergy, ordinary citizens, Jewish people, many of whom had no idea they had Jewish heritage.
Yom Hashoah is a time we remember other moments of terror suffering, past and present too because as Rabbi Michael Lerner reminded us, the task at this moment in history is to “remind ourselves that we are inextricably bound to each other and to everyone on the planet.
Will we will ever truly remember, learn from the past and ask the “when” questions? Questions like
… if changes in gun laws don’t happen now … when?
… if hatred for ‘the other’ doesn’t end now … when?
… if immoral laws aren’t changed by new leadership now … when?
… if political leaders lie, steal, are corrupt aren’t voted out of office now, …when?
… if children are not given the opportunity for a well-rounded education taught by competent, professional, respected teachers who are well paid now … when?
… if those who are addicted aren’t treated as valued human beings who need professional help and are given that help, now … when?
IF
NOT
NOW
… W H E N?
Rom Hashoah is not just a time to remember all who have died in holocausts of the past – but those who are in similar situations now around the world.
It is time to ask the “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” question and expect answers that are honest, compassionate, respectful and helpful.
© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
https:// www.soulistry.com
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
Dear June, As your beloved Hans, of blessed memory, once said, history does repeat itself.We the people who want a better and more peaceful world, can never allow it to happen again.
Thank you. I remember seeing Emaciated Jews in 1945 newsreels. Now refugees suffer – often emotionally where we can’t guess the horrors they have lived through. I teach a Syrian woman disabled by war in Aleppo 7 years ago and there was no doctor to help. We need to reach out to them with love. Thank you.
“if” and “when” – I liked your brief, specific, staking and historical reminder which highlights the fact that not much has changed in how we, as humans, seem to behave.
“if those who are addicted aren’t treated as valued human beings who need professional help and are given that help, when?”
I love this phrase, in Colombia and in many countries of the world, the issue of drug addiction is a problem that affects families, the near and far environment, cities and countries in the world live this problem that for me, personally it is terrible to see so many people who lose their five senses and each time the brain deteriorates more, both for those who consume and for the people who supply these drugs generating war among themselves and among others, greed, theft, poverty, hunger , and suffering until death, how long will there be true professional help to improve the quality of life and dignity of people?