Page 34 - Jewish News_May-June-2020

34 May/June 2020 COMMENTARY

The proverbial glass in the time of coronavirus The coronavirus and faith

By Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz, Community Chaplain By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
s the glass half full or half empty? salem Post opinion writer Judy Mon- wrought will soon be largely over. At of good courage (Joshua 1:9).” he new reality for our country
Are you an optimist or pessimist? tagu, “Life is messy, and both optimists the same time, we should also retain a Continue to reach out to others. is not finding everything we
II’d put myself in the latter camp. and pessimists develop different meth- sobered perspective in order that san- The confirming nature of such contact Twant on the grocery shelves at
If half empty, the proverbial glass still ods for managing this disequilibrium. guine expectation doesn’t occasion a helps thwart a disposition toward self- our favorite market. So many sport-
has room for more. Half full suggests Sometimes optimists can fall flat on jarring letdown if the crisis extends for pity. Whether one thinks the glass is ing events, including March Madness
it’s already acquired a measure of plen- their faces, and pessimists triumph. several more months. half full or empty, the most important and The Masters golf tournament, have
titude. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to Nevertheless, we should be thank- thing is to find ways to drink from it been canceled or delayed.
Pessimism allows for positive life’s challenges.” ful that, despite everything, we main- that foster resilience, resourcefulness Restaurants are closed
surprise. When low expectations are Montagu adds that, while in the tain ready access to food, water, energy, and renewal during this challenging or only have takeout for
exceeded, I’m thrilled. If the glass is past, self-help gurus tended to deride a communication and entertainment. We period. their customers. Theaters,
already half full, pessimistic world view as a source of also express gratitude for the bravery Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz serves as a movie houses and enter-
does adding to stress and anxiety, many experts now and perseverance demonstrated by the Community Chaplain and Director of tainment venues of all
it really provide maintain that a balanced life-outlook medical personnel battling on the front JFCS’s Jewish Healing Program. His kinds are closed or have
that much more requires a healthy dose of pessimism lines of the contagion. position is underwritten by The Jewish postponed their events.
value? Is icing on to prompt caution and informed sensi- Chazak v’ehmatz, “Be strong and Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. Doctors continue to tell
a cake so impor- bility. us to wash our hands for
tant if the cake For example, “Many people are 20 seconds, avoid shaking
tastes very good uncomfortable,” she explains, “in the hands, stay out of crowds,
as is? presence of serious illness – perhaps avoid traveling and stay home as much
Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz Pessimists projecting it upon themselves – and as possible.
are not inclined to get their hopes up may brightly deny a condition which is All of this is the result of the coro-
too high only to see them subsequently obvious to all, including the patient, in navirus that has become a worldwide
dashed. Don’t get me wrong, I pos- the belief that they are ‘cheering them pandemic. We hear that we must ad-
sess great confidence. But I know that up.’ Cognitive psychologists have sug- just, and realize that we must make the
new realities of certain situations can gested that excess optimism can cause best of a most difficult situation.
quickly put a damper on it. For me, family members of the critically ill to In the past, when we have faced
pessimism serves a kind of ongoing be unrealistically hopeful, which could such dire challenges, we have known
gut-check. affect their decisions about a loved that the one place we could go for un-
I don’t want rain to be thrown on one’s care.” derstanding, to gain hope, to become
anyone’s parade, I just want to make As George Bernard Shaw noted, strengthened, is our house of worship.
sure there’s a place that’s covered just “Both optimists and pessimists con- Here we can reach out to that higher
in case. tribute to society. The optimist invents being and find solace and peace of
Truth be told, pessimism and op- the aeroplane, the pessimist the para- mind. However, even this vital aspect
timism operate as opposing yet also chute.” of our lives has been taken from us or
complementary points of view with Due to historical experience, Jews modified in ways that often fail to an-
each possessing aspects of the other. generally hold the mindset that opti- swer our needs. Services have either
Think of them in terms of embodying a mism is always potentially threatened been canceled altogether or are being
yin-yang quality. by changed circumstances, i.e., “Don’t streamed to members, if they have the
An insightful blogger recently count your chickens until they hatch
shared, “The proverbial glass isn’t the and even then don’t think things still
static entity it is usually depicted as can’t go wrong.” Doesn’t the custom
being, with a horizontal line dividing of uttering kine-ahora (“no evil eye”)
the part that is full from the part that reflect the need to remain on guard in
is empty. On the contrary, its contents the wake of receiving good news?
“Our monthly Jewish-themed
are a churning, swirling mess in which When you read this, we will likely “Our monthly Jewish-themed
liquid sloshes from side to side in agi- remain under the distressing sway of film series focuses on real slices
film series focuses on real slices
tation, spilling out over the top, and the coronavirus. In this anxious time,
of life we can all relate to.”
leaking from a hole in the bottom.” we can be optimistic that the virus of life we can all relate to.”
In other words, according to Jeru- and the disruptions of daily life it has – ROSANN BLACK build. advocate.
– ROSANN BLACK
S enior is looking to purchase precious metals, DEAR FREDY remember. support.

diamonds, time pieces, coins, antique Tuesday, May 19, 2020 • 1:00 pm
Fredy Hirsch was born in Germany, a proud Jew and openly gay
and estate jewelry, and some collector plates. “Our monthly Jewish-themed
man. He was 19 years old when the Nuremberg Laws were
published—he fled from Germany to the Czech Republic. When he
Over 60 years Of experience. film series focuses on real slices Bridges
arrived in Auschwitz, Fredy did not succumb to despair. This film
of life we can all relate to.” We build bridges between people by visiting synagogues, churches and civic
combines interviews, archival materials and animation which tell
the story of his amazing life.
– ROSANN BLACK groups to make presentations about Israel, anti-Semitism and the Boycott,
Please call Marc at 941.321.0707 Houston Film Critics Society Award Grand Jury Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS). In addition, we send clergy
persOnal and cOnfidential Prize, Houston International LGBTQ Film Festival and community members on missions to Israel to experience and learn

TO WATCH THIS FILM VIA ZOOM, PLEASE VISIT about the land while forging friendships that deepen and continue
JFEDSRQ . ORG / E VENT S back home in Sarasota-Manatee.
JFEDSRQ.ORG/EVENTS

I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU:
THE LIFE & LEGACY OF SIMON WIESENTHAL ^ Builds Bridges
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 • 1:00pm Robert and Esther Heller ^ Advocates through

SUPPORT This documentary details his life and his work with the American CRC Government Affairs
Friendship at Home War Crimes Unit, which tracked down more than 1,000 Nazi war
Financial Stability criminals with Simon’s help. Remembers the Holocaust
In-home Support COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^
Home Delivered Meals
Educational Programs Winner Audience Award: Best Documentary, ^ Supports Hillel
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
CAREGIVING
Caregiver Resource Centers TO WATCH THIS FILM VIA ZOOM, PLEASE VISIT
VENT
ORG
.
JFEDSRQ
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Adult Day Care Programs JFEDSRQ.ORG/EVENTS Hillel
Support Groups Hillel is the “Jewish Home Away from Home” for Jewish
Educational Programs
THE SERIES IS FREE, but we would appreciate students in college. Your CRC and Federation support
HEALTH & WELLNESS Gulf Coast Hillel in its pursuit to create meaningful
Medical & Dental Clinics your consideration of a donation to The Jewish Federation’s
Senior Centers STRONGER TOGETHER: Coronavirus Relief Fund and engaging holiday and educational programs
Friendship Cafés to help people who are impacted by this crisis.
Senior Fitness on local college campuses.
Balance Movement To make a contribution, please visit jfedsrq.org/relief.
Lifelong Learning
CHAIR: ROSANN BLACK
FRIENDSHIP For more information, contact Brieana Duckett-Graves at HELLER CRC’S MISSION
THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY OF AGING bdgraves@jfedsrq.org or 941.552.6305. To build relationships within
the Jewish and non-Jewish

friendshipcenters.org | 941.955.2122 communities and to advance QUESTIONS? Contact Jessi Sheslow
common interests through 941.343.2109 or jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
SARASOTA VENICE
1888 Brother Geenen Way 2350 Scenic Drive education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC
Sarasota, FL 34236 Venice, FL 34293

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