In these dark days of concern and distress, I am trying to reach for what is good. Celebrating people is the best way to do that and I am grateful for this opportunity that came out in the news at the end of last week.
Our own Paul Anticoni received an OBE for ‘services to the vulnerable’. We are immensely pleased and proud for Paul, as well as for Jan, Lily and Evie, who must be thrilled for him. Paul has worked in the Aid sector and for the past 19 years, has raised the profile of WJR to be the only Jewish charity that responds to global disasters in their way. I am particularly struck by ‘services to vulnerable people.’ What could be more impactful than that? Pirkei Avot suggests to us: where no-one behaves like a human being, behave like a human being. I love that invitation embedded in our Jewish tradition to be the best and do the best we can. Paul has definitively led on that.
In the Progressive version of Oseh Shalom B’imromav, we have added this clause to the verse:
May the most High Source of Perfect Peace grant peace to us, to all Israel, and to all of humanity.
WJR tries very hard to bring such peace and ease and with Paul at its helm, it has been acknowledged for doing so.
This week’s Parashat Shelach Lecha has the spies under Joshua scout the land. Ten of them return to Moses weeping, terrified by the giants (Anakites) who live there and the bumper size fruit to go with them. To give context, a couple of men are needed to carry one bunch of grapes. The spies think they’re seen as grasshoppers by the inhabitants and, frankly, by themselves. Two of them, Joshua and Caleb, are braver and appreciate that new adventures carry risks. It has endless relevance every year as we read this piece and maybe particularly so as we celebrate Paul, who has really been intrepid and thoughtful in his leadership.
As we watch the escalation of anguish in Israel and the Middle East and fear for our family friends and all those suffering, our hearts are breaking. These are terrible times indeed. But for a moment closer to home, we can schlep nachus and appreciate it’s possible to do good, be acknowledged for it and celebrate the fact. I look forward to seeing photos from Buckingham Palace of Paul with Jan receiving his Order of the British Empire.
Shabbat Shalom
Rebecca
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