A Place For Positivity

Life has been particularly challenging over the last few months as our country has suffered terrible tragedy: An unrelenting hurricane season that has affected millions of people in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. An unspeakable act of violence in Las Vegas. Rampant wildfires in Northern California. And, locally, a car accident that took the life of a teenage boy and a devastating apartment for one of our own teachers and her young daughter.

Waking up to the news of the shooting in Las Vegas was an awful feeling. I read the articles, but I couldn’t bring myself to watch the videos. What I couldn’t wait to do was get to the J so I could talk through my feelings and process their impact. My co-workers at the J are an extension of my family and the people I want to talk with and hear from. And, the J is the living room of our community, where we gather together to learn and share.

I’m certain I can say on behalf of every staff member of the J that we are heartbroken over what has been happening, and we want to help. I know, personally, I’m constantly wondering and asking what I can do, but I feel a sense of helplessness because I don’t know how best to offer assistance. It’s difficult to grapple with the intense emotions that I feel in response to each event, while simultaneously wanting to provide relief to those directly affected by tragedy. 

As a communications professional, it makes me wonder what role the J should play in our community. Should we be the place for difficult conversations addressing polarizing or sensitive issues? Or, should we provide an escape from those very conversations? Do we have a responsibility to take direct action and develop programming? Or, is our role to be the sharer of resources for community members to channel the support that so many want to give?

I don’t have all the answers, but these are the questions that are constantly on my mind. I want to hear from you. I want to know what’s on your mind and what you need from your J community. Please share with me. I truly believe that, together, we can have the meaningful conversations that lead to making a positive difference.

My door is always open, as is my inbox (annasaul@siegeljcc.org).