It is overwhelmingly hard to watch others suffer. This anguish drives some to act, while others feel helpless, turn their heads, and walk away. But this response to inhuman suffering diminishes their humanity by ignoring what they see with their eyes and walking away. None of us can walk away. But what can we do?
I am going to Poland next week. I will bring everything I can muster, my chaplaincy skills, rabbinic skills, and mainly my humanity. I, and my colleagues, will each be carrying bags of supplies-food, clothing, medicine, toiletries. We will do what we can, knowing we cannot stop the suffering but helping those suffering through compassion and empathy. You can help too.
Contribute what you can to the humanitarian organizations on the ground, both here and there. The JCC in Krakow, Poland, Joint Distribution Committee, World Central Kitchen, and Doctors without Borders; are the places I support. Give what you can; the need is great.
I will come home with stories of all kinds, sad and heartbreaking, grateful. I want to share what I learn to help us better understand what is happening there and also to us. It is about humanity and our future. So invite me to your communities to share these stories so we remain aware and committed to helping others in need for their sake and ours.