The world is in turmoil, with maelstrom waters threatening to engulf us. Hatred, division, chaos and violence are daily occurrences. The 24 hour news cycle is awash with stories that clamor for our intention. It can be tempting to look away and live in denial. We don’t have that luxury. It can feel overwhelming, particularly for sensitive souls who experience hopeless and helplessness at times. I count myself among them.
These days, I am grateful to embrace wisdom wherever I find it. The Talmud is a collection of core teachings of Judaism and this quote is my favorite. “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
These words are often attributed to the Talmud, but is more accurately described as a loose translation of commentary on a portion of the Pirke Avot, which is itself a commentary on Micah 6:8. See Wisdom of the Jewish Sages: A Modern Reading of Pirke Avot by Rabbi Rami Shapiro.
Rami was my rabbi for a few years when we lived in South Florida in the early 1990s. All these years later, we stay in touch. It was his way of reframing the Judaism of my childhood that felt limiting and sexist that brought me back to synagogue after a long hiatus. I was fascinated with his unique take on a religion that can be rich and beautiful and carries with it the call to practice tzedakah, (translated to ‘righteousness) that relates to charitable giving, gemilut hasadim (lovingkindness) and Tikkun Olam (the repair of the world). As a social worker by profession, I take this seriously.
Last week, I attended the annual NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Conference in DC. The theme was Leading Social Change. Around 2000 in attendance, I was delighted to be surrounded by people who have committed their lives to being of service in so many capacities. I met clinicians, program directors, authors, addiction specialists, professors and three in particular who fascinated me. One was a woman who was the administrator of a program in Chicago that works with gang members to help them create new lives and another was a man from Detroit who was an organ donor Transplant Coordinator. Having been a volunteer for Gift of Life Donor Program in Philly after my husband Michael died waiting for a liver transplant and a dear friend receiving a kidney transplant, we had a lot to talk about. I also met a man who is a high school principal and therapist among other things.
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“During his 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, Patrick J. Kennedy fought to end discrimination against those with mental illness, addiction, and other brain diseases. He is best known as the lead sponsor of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law), which was passed with bi-partisan support and signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008. The Federal Parity Law provides millions of Americans, previously denied care, with access to mental health and addiction treatment by requiring insurance companies to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, such as diabetes and cancer.”
The other was Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is proud to be a social worker as well and was given a lifetime achievement award by NASW. (From her website)
“Throughout her years in public service, she has blazed trails and opened doors for women and girls. Among her many “firsts” – she was the first woman elected to the United States Senate from Michigan.As the author of two landmark programs that are transforming the health of our Great Lakes, there is no greater champion for our Great Lakes, natural resources, and Michigan way of life.Senator Stabenow has persistently focused on making things in America and bringing jobs home. Because of her leadership, Michigan is well-positioned as a global leader in the clean energy economy. She knows that we can’t have a strong economy unless we make things and grow things. As Chairwoman of the powerful Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, her work continues to shape our nation’s food and farm policy, impacting generations to come. Senator Stabenow helped write the Affordable Care Act and has passed major reforms to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. Her bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act is transforming the way we deliver high-quality community behavioral health services in America. Because of her leadership, we are now going to be funding health care above the neck the same as health care below the neck. From child nutrition to school-based health clinics, to children’s healthcare, Senator Stabenow is also a national leader on children’s health.”
Both used humor and shared their wisdom gleaned from working in the U.S. government, as servant leaders. Both encouraged us to stay involved in the social justice aspects of our work and to vote and encourage others to vote since this election is immensely consequential for generations to come. Both are decidedly Democrat and as evidenced by the applause, so were most in attendance. NASW endorsed the re-election of the Biden-Harris team. Both received standing ovations at points during their presentations and at the end. As I was waiting for my car to pull up, she was leaving, and I had the opportunity to thank her and hug her. I told her that she was kick-ass and asked, “How did I not know about you before this?”
The primary reason I attended was to be part of a presentation of the film Angels and Saints-Eros and Awe for which I have been the promo person for three years. The movie was screened Thursday night and was well attended. The filmmakers Vic Compher, Rodney Whittenberg and I held a panel discussion. The audience was engaged, and the dialog afterward was lively. That evening and the next day, people who had seen it told me how powerful they thought it was. If you have not seen it, please check out our website. www.aseafilm.com
The second reason was to earn CEUs to maintain my social work license and the third was to immerse myself in all that good energy. I will ask to be a presenter next year for a breakout session when the conference is held in Chicago.
When I was walking around the exhibition hall, I saw a table for my alma Mater, Rutgers University and the woman behind the table gave me an alumni pin. I graduated in 1985. I also stopped at the table for One Spirit which is an interfaith seminary founded by Diane Berke who was a dean at The New Seminary from which I graduated in 1999. My time there with Diane as a spiritual guide in a tumultuous moment in my life was pivotal in shaping the ministry that all these years later is integrated into my day to day. A blast from the past conversation ensued at both tables.
After many years of traveling to the DC area ‘in the before times’, and not since then, I forgot how crazy traffic is there.
I have struggled with the idea that what I do is not enough. Where is my magic wand that I can wave over unjust circumstances and set them to rights? Where are just the correct words to change people’s minds and prevent them from doing harm? Now, to integrate all of it into my daily life and take courage from the certainty that all of those 2000 social workers are taking what they learned out into this world in great need of healing.
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This Post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: iStock
