The world has, in many ways, become a place I enjoy less than I used to. Every day, it seems, there is yet another tragedy, another example of hate, another shooting. It’s increasingly difficult to escape from the news of the day, but maybe not so difficult to find comfort.
As a Jew, I was particularly hard-hit by the shooting at the Synagogue in Pittsburgh. That anti-Semitism still lurked in our country was no great surprise, but for it to show itself in such a blatant and ugly way was a shock.
Coming to the City Club in the days following the shooting provided a respite. I could immerse myself in whatever committee or project I was involved in that day. More than that, though, I found comfort in a community, very largely not Jewish, that understood how this event would affect me personally.
One friend said she wasn’t sure if she should say anything, not wanting to stir up my emotions, but she wanted me to know how she felt, how horrible she thought it was, and how deeply sorry she was for how I must be feeling. I could see the tears welling up in her eyes, as they were in mine, as they are even as I write this. So we hugged, and I felt such comfort knowing that this kind of compassion and caring still exists.
As others expressed similar sentiments, I realized that, as I am not affiliated with a Synagogue, I was holding in a lot of what I felt. It was wonderful to know that I have a place where I can open up, share, and be understood. In these days of turmoil, it means so very much to have this kind of loving community.
Thank you, all!
Barbara Kramer
Member since 2013
As a Jew, I was particularly hard-hit by the shooting at the Synagogue in Pittsburgh. That anti-Semitism still lurked in our country was no great surprise, but for it to show itself in such a blatant and ugly way was a shock.
Coming to the City Club in the days following the shooting provided a respite. I could immerse myself in whatever committee or project I was involved in that day. More than that, though, I found comfort in a community, very largely not Jewish, that understood how this event would affect me personally.
One friend said she wasn’t sure if she should say anything, not wanting to stir up my emotions, but she wanted me to know how she felt, how horrible she thought it was, and how deeply sorry she was for how I must be feeling. I could see the tears welling up in her eyes, as they were in mine, as they are even as I write this. So we hugged, and I felt such comfort knowing that this kind of compassion and caring still exists.
As others expressed similar sentiments, I realized that, as I am not affiliated with a Synagogue, I was holding in a lot of what I felt. It was wonderful to know that I have a place where I can open up, share, and be understood. In these days of turmoil, it means so very much to have this kind of loving community.
Thank you, all!
Barbara Kramer
Member since 2013
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