Many people have spent the last few weeks recovering and healing after the shooting of 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in October. Time has been devoted to attending and setting up rallies and prayer services. People are engaging in discussions, and anti-Semitism has been brought up in classrooms. Adults feel that it is important that children understand what is going on, but they don't want to project all of the negative emotions on them. Now that Hanukkah is here, people are turning their attention towards celebration. This holiday is a time of joy, and many believe it should be celebrated as such. Adults want children to enjoy this time without any worries, and everyone wants to feel like things are closer to normal. Some feel as if this Hanukkah is different, because there is a sense of resilience, standing strong even in the face of tragedy.
This article really stuck out to me because it was so different from other articles about tragedy. While it discussed the vigils and remembrance, the focus was finding light in the darkness. They took time to honor those who died, but they know that it is time to move on, and they won't let fear stop them from living. Unfortunately, it's sad that they have to find joy amidst tragedy. In history, oftentimes horrible events occur, and we try to find the good that came from them. For example, Europeans raped and pillaged the Native Americans, and we discuss the cultures and positives that came from it. Awful events such as these should never have happened, but they did. Therefore, we either have to look at the good that came from them or let the trials make us stronger. *Note: Just because we discuss the good that came from tragedies does not excuse the actions of those who caused it.*
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/03/672762401/a-grieving-pittsburgh-focuses-on-community-and-light-in-hanukkah-celebrations
What happened at the Tree of Life synagogue is heartbreaking, but I'm glad the article also mentioned the light at the end of the tunnel. When something as terrible as this happens, it is incredibly easy to lose yourself in the tragedy of it. By mentioning the positive changes that have come out of the shooting (even though they do not at all make up for the loss of 11 human lives) and how the community is slowly healing, we are given hope that one day those affected will be able to live without suffering.
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