Sanhedrin 8a<\/a>).<\/p>\n Today, rabbinic leadership trends towards the former. We seek to live and be among the people we serve, to understand their needs and help them address challenges. To be sure, we need this form of leadership and pastoral presence during an anniversary that will resurface trauma and trigger an array of difficult emotions. <\/p>\n
But Jewish leaders also need to be authoritative and steadfast in ensuring that September 11th and its commemorations do not provide annual pretense for rage against Muslims (and Sikhs and the countless others conflated with Muslims). Nor can we allow political opportunists to seize upon our unresolved grief and pain once again. <\/p>\n
As we approach this significant anniversary of 9\/11, we must work to infuse the day with purpose and pluralism. Pay it Forward 9\/11<\/a> is bringing people together to do 20,000 good deeds for the 20th anniversary. 9\/11 Day<\/a> is working to make it a national day of community service.<\/p>\n Jewish communities can be at the forefront, too. We can turn it into a day of education against Islamophobia; a day of organizing for a cause that we share; a day of investment in relationships; a day of imagining what we could do through interfaith collaboration.<\/p>\n
May we be strong and resolute in our leadership.<\/p>\n
This article was originally published on T’ruah<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n