Promote healing, new ideas and growth

Joyce Toub, Collier/Lee Hadassah President

Living in Saratoga, New York and Naples, Florida can bring a host of benefits and confusion. Beginning a new Jewish year, 5783, and soon completing our secular year, 2022, invites introspection. We try to take responsibility for what has occurred and think about what we can do better. We may feel guilty in not doing our very best all the time.

Hurricane Ian struck during the High Holy Days, bringing an unexpected immediacy to the liturgy of “who shall live and who shall die.” I paraphrase Patricia Levinson, Chair of Hadassah International communications and a member of the Hadassah International Board of Directors. She had to evacuate her home in St. Petersburg, Florida during the storm and was fortunate to return to minimal damage. She writes that there is nothing like a hurricane to make you aware of the fragility of life. The entire concept of life and death becomes extremely poignant and relevant.

My mixed emotions of feeling simultaneously blessed and guilty were confusing. I have two homes so, God forbid, if one was damaged, I still have a roof over my head. My home in Naples was unscathed ... we didn’t even lose power! When I arrived in Naples, I scouted the area that was decimated by the storm and had this nagging feeling, wondering how I could make a bad situation better. Whatever and however we contribute can help us improve the lives of other people and make us better people.

The same is true about Hadassah. Whatever you can do to promote healing, be it emotional, medical, educational, etc., helps you grow as a person as well. Please take an active interest in all we do in Collier and Lee counties and join us in our upcoming events. By joining in, you enrich our lives as well as your own!

• Dec. 4, 2022 – Collier/Lee Hadassah honors its Major Donors and Keepers of the Gate

• Jan. 29, 2023 – Collier/Lee Hadassah Installation and Fashion Show

• Feb. 26, 2023 – Collier/Lee Hadassah honors three outstanding personalities at its “Inspiring Women” event

I must close with a counter to the antisemitism that seems all too pervasive around us these days. Regardless of any affiliation, we must condemn and castigate hatred and bigotry whenever and wherever encountered. We must celebrate diversity; diversity awakens new ideas and growth, while hate and discrimination inhibit new ideas and growth.

I hope to see you all soon.