In recent years, we seem to be playing a "bad news" version of whac-a-mole: political polarization, mass shootings, COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, the California fires, plane crashes--and, of course, the attacks of October 7 and its aftermath, which have changed our community forever.
The world's problems are so big, and I feel so small and powerless.
But then I stop having my pity party, and I remember the Jewish text from
Pirkei Avot
(Ethics of the Fathers) that teach us: "You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it."
As soon as bad things happen to good people, I'm heartened by all the helpers who refuse to desist from the work, helpers who are jumping in to ease the pain and burden of others, helpers who are stepping up in the Pacific Palisades, in Kiryat Gat, in Kyiv, and right here in our Chicago neighborhoods.
Since October 7, I've been even more inspired by watching Jews and our allies step up to repair the word. A few examples: An Israeli woman who--after losing her own boyfriend, an IDF soldier, in battle two decades ago--today supports others who have gone through similar heartbreak since October 7; a local 9-year-old boy who emptied the contents of his piggy bank into an envelope to send to Israel to help; a family who returns every year to pack and distribute Passover meals through the Maot Chitim program; a member of the Jewish Community Emergency Response Team (JCERT) who offers therapy and other support to victims and first responders after tragedies, including in the wake of the California wildfires. And of course, helpers like each of you who are providing healing and hope to our community and beyond by supporting the JUF Annual Campaign.
Here's more uplifting news: Helping is good for you, too. Studies show that helping improves the helper's own mental health and wellness, and that performing acts of kindness--
gemilut chasadim
--reduces the helper's stress levels, and boosts their mood, self-esteem, and happiness. In fact, when we help others, we get what's called a "helper's high," when the body releases endorphins-the brain chemicals that lessen pain and augment euphoria.
Social psychologist Elizabeth Dunn, of the University of British Columbia, has dedicated much of her research to understanding how people derive joy from helping others. In one study, Dunn and her colleagues gave participants a small amount of money ($20 or less) to spend on either themselves or someone else. Those who spent the money on someone else consistently reported feeling happier than those who spent it on themselves.
Another experiment--co-authored by Dunn and her colleagues Dr. Lara Aknin and Prof. Kiley Hamlin--studied generosity in children under 2. The kids were given Goldfish crackers, a hot commodity in the toddler set, either to keep for themselves or to give away to a puppet named "Monkey." The research showed that the toddlers who gave the crackers away felt happier than the ones who kept the snack for themselves.
Spring is the perfect time to think about giving back. The Tikkun Olam Volunteer (TOV) Network-JUF's connection point for local volunteer opportunities-is an ideal place to start. On April 6, TOV will celebrate its 10th Good Deeds Day, an international initiative that originated in Israel and mobilizes millions of volunteers to do good and make a difference in their communities. This year's local Good Deeds Day projects will include: prepping an urban farm for spring; organizing pantry donations for The Ark; writing letters of gratitude to Israeli first responders and soldiers; and decorating birthday kits for children in foster care.
If you're feeling helpless about the magnitude of the world's problems, take a deep breath and think small. Come up with some practical and manageable ways-like signing up for Good Deeds Day-to become a helper.
After all, as Anne Frank put it, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
Learn more about
JUF's Good Deeds Day
.
