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Can we unify?

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By Daniel Staffenberg, CEO, Jewish Community Federation of Richmond

These days unity feels like a distant dream.

Divisions inside and outside of the Jewish community seem deeper, disagreements more intense and common ground far from stable. Yet, in these times, the Jewish values of respect, community, and collective responsibility offer a powerful reminder of the importance of unity and the ways we can strive to achieve it.

The Shema, our daily prayer, implores us – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This prayer not only affirms the oneness of God but also serves as a profound metaphor for human unity. Just as God is one, we too are called to recognize our shared humanity and the interconnectedness of all people.

In a world where political divides threaten to tear communities apart, the Jewish principle of unity guides us toward a path of mutual understanding and collective growth.

The Talmud reinforces this idea. “Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh” (All of Israel is responsible for one another).

This concept of collective responsibility – one we at Federation are guided by daily –  extends to all of humanity. It emphasizes that our actions affect others and that we share a communal responsibility to support and uplift one another.

This implores us to increase cooperation, empathy, and a commitment to the common good, rather than divisiveness and antagonism.

Tikkun Olam puts this into action, encouraging us to take proactive steps to improve the world, addressing social injustices and working toward peace and equality. In the context of politics, this means engaging in dialogue with those who hold different views, striving to find common ground, and working collaboratively to solve the pressing issues of our time.

Respect (Kavod) is also a fundamental Jewish value that plays a crucial role in fostering unity. The Torah instructs us to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), urging us to treat others with dignity and compassion.

Respecting others’ opinions, even when we disagree, is essential for constructive political discourse. By listening to each other with open hearts and minds, we can bridge divides and work toward a more cordial and uplifting society.

As we continue forward and engage in the important and meaningful debates that politics, society and our modern world demand, let us be guided by our shared values and strive for Shalom; not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, harmony, and completeness.

Pursuing Shalom requires us to rise above partisan loyalties and work together for the greater good.

Let us draw inspiration from these timeless teachings and commit ourselves to the noble task of repairing the world, engaging fully in our democracy and building unity, one step at a time, together.

We hope you will join us on September 4th as we host a Richmond Mayoral Candidate forum.

Stay tuned for more info!