GOOD AND BAD

     We have just finished the day wherein we take stock of our life situation and thank the good Lord for all the good He has given us. It is a hard time now for the world, hard for people to look beyond the horror of the news what with the stories of death and destruction. These times bring to mind the two songs that we  used to sing  - War, What is it Good For and The Eve of Destruction.
     Yet today also brought forth good thoughts and hope for the future just as it has put some things into proper proportion though they are important as well. I used to do that with my educational kids when worried about a test in my classroom. I wrote several items on the board. For example, today I would write: Russian jet shot down - terror in Israel - economic uncertainty in the markets - Ebola epidemic - Class 8-1 takes a grammar test. And we have to think the same way today.
     And as for today, here in CV, I would or could do the same. All these horrors that we read of, see on the screen, people lost in economic despair and then add in references to David Israel and how he loses his way or Ed Black screws us again with "the best contract ever" - NOT! or  fees for UCO rise as we continue to pay for Levy's capital improvements of his RENTED facilities. Cracked roads and walkways, yes, but still safe in our community as a general statement. So we need to know that our problems are surmountable, and even when the large infant tries to roar, to wage war on those who oppose him, we need to see him as the unimportant minor would be tyrant that he is.
     So what were the signs of hope today? Well, first of all, there are so many more people who realize what David Israel and crew are and sooner or later they will be gone, be it by our vote or by the Lord's planning. We just have to keep up the fight and have faith and get out our votes, our delegates, remain vigilant.
     As for the rest of the world? Well, I watched a livestream of a wedding of two beautiful young people today, one the daughter of a man who was savagely slain, along with her brother, by Islamic terrorism for the crime of being a Jew in the Jewish homeland, only last week. The determination of the couple to live life, to carry on, the brave stance of the mother and wife who should have been sharing this moment with her husband - they will continue - Am Yisroel Chai. the nation of Israel will continue to live. We will carry on and the thousands who came to attend, even from overseas, to share in their happiness, in their promise for the future told me that we are one and no one will break us.
     In contrast to that joy I also watched the memorial for the slain Ezra Schwartz, the 18 year old American student butchered by the bullets of an animal. Over twelve hundred students, boys and girls, came special to attend this ceremony, to talk, to cry, to sing, to mourn and to  vow to continue on, to remain in Israel, to show the world that nothing will prevent us from doing what we must. We cannot explain bad that happens, only do good to contrast it, to defeat and defy it and as for the blood of all the slain - Hashem yinkom damam. G-d will revenge their spilled blood and meanwhile His people will live in the land of their forefathers, study their religious books, marry, have children, live their lives and carry on.
     There is strength in people, be it the Jews of Israel, the French who return to the bistros of the city of Paris, those who fight the terror, those who jump on the terrorist on the plane or train and those who reach out to help those in need. There is strength in those in the Village who stand up to our own form of harassment and terrorism, who see the truth and speak it, no matter the attempts to stifle them in the "fog of fascism".
     We will keep strong and just as we have defeated evil all though the generations, we will do so again and for always. To do otherwise is not acceptable. To do otherwise is destruction.
     Stand firm, talk to governmental figures, remain aware of the strength and sensitivity of people and remember what I posted on the blog about Thankful and  as I cried yesterday, as I cried  as I heard the voice of my former student, Gayle Sassoon, recovering from the tragedy of the fire a year ago, as I felt small in the face of her beliefs and determination and as I wrote to her how she has become my teacher - in these moments I knew we can do the right thing wherever we so determine. We can overcome the bad, the wrong, the evil, the incompetent, the dictators and the oppressors.
Believe with me. Believe with the good people of this planet.
    
Total in Israel for October, November:  24 dead, 208 wounded, 82 for shock. From the elderly to the young, Jew and even some Arabs  being killed in these attacks, stabbed, hacked, axed, shot, rammed by cars. And the attacks continue, thankfully avoiding more killing and wounding.