Pray, Eat, Listen

Multi-culturalism serves an important purpose, facilitating increased understanding among divergent groups. Knowledge of the other decreases hatred.

On Friday night, I had the privilege to attend a Shabbat service sponsored by a small independent group. The event was held in a small African American church in Potomac, Maryland. The historic congregation--AME Zion-- has served a Black Community for a 100 years. Recently, the church was rebuilt due to water damage caused by its vulnerable position between sloping land and a roadway and, of course, construction of houses above. Various faith based communities contributed to the rebuilding. Interfaith cooperation is typical in Montgomery County in Maryland, one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the United States.

After Shabbat prayer, blessings, and song, we had a lovely dinner. Nothing like food to bring people together in fellowship. If that was not enough of an evening, we moved back to the church sanctuary to listen to three female politicians from three areas of the county--two state representatives and one county councilwoman who has just been elected president of the council.

The three women were from three different ethnic/nationality groups. One was Chinese American, one Jewish American, and one Venezuelan American. Each was intelligent and articulate and committed to representing their respective areas which have diverse needs and strengths. What struck me most was that each woman described trauma regarding our current national government and its policies.

The woman born in China felt flashbacks to her childhood during the Cultural Revolution and the results of living in a communist country. The Jewish woman expressed the deep seated fears caused by centuries of hate. Almost every Jewish person alive today has some connection to the horrors that occurred in Europe in the mid 20th century. Obviously, the Hispanic woman is affected by the cruel and unnecessary actions by ICE and Homeland Security that have occurred right here in Maryland, in addition to all over the United States. She and the woman born in China stated that they were particularly sensitive since they are naturalized citizens.

The fact that so many people are feeling trauma in our community reinforced for me the immediate dangers of the administration's actions. Trauma is tricky and trickles down through generations, causing unseen damage. Yes, we are mostly alright; however, each time there is an incident, it is a chip that is knocked loose from our internal structure of safety and security. I am not usually aware of my fear, but it is triggered easily if I am in a crowd; at my synagogue; or if I see a person who appears jittery, morose, or troubled. We are becoming a country of nervous adults and children who are accustomed to mass shooting drills, fear of epidemics, talk of hatred, and questions about safety of immunizations and disease prevention. Young people are especially concerned about our planet which affects their ability to feel comfortable in their surroundings.

I cannot imagine the fears, obvious and subtle, that exist in families whose origins are from Central and South America. These families were vulnerable already due to educational and language gaps, though, in general, Hispanics have demonstrated resiliency and a strong ethic to improve their lives. Even if a child is born in the United States and his/her parents hold a green card or naturalized citizenship, he/she/they must fear being torn from their mothers and fathers. The young people see what is on the news and hear what is talked about. Children do not necessarily process facts like adults which can cause detrimental consequences for short and longterm mental health and well being.

One of the representatives said that we should forego the term citizen since given our reality the word separates people into categories which are used against them. Citizen previously meant either a person born in this country or naturalized. Now our government is tormenting those who have not obtained the necessary documents and completed the requirements to be considered a citizen. Resident would be a better, less fraught description.

I continue to be struck by the racist quality of the government's focus on undocumented citizens. I daresay there are numerous white people who have overstayed their visas for travel, education, and work who live amongst us. Rarely, do we hear about them being dragged to another country (not their own) due to lack of legal status.

The representative--born in China--reflected that Jews do not cause antisemitism nor Chinese anti-Asian hate. Hatred spews from others and lands inside the person being scapegoated. She elaborated that we are all responsible for racism and must work to eliminate hatred of others. I, as a Jewish person, should be self-reflective about my biases, etc. I thought this was an interesting viewpoint.

Ironic as it may be, I write today as two more horrific shootings have occurred--one in Rhode Island and one, across the world, in Australia. It should be noted that a bystander, who is Muslim, confronted and brought down one of the shooters in Australia. Though not a celebratory moment, certainly proof that most people are good and hatred is a learned and conditioned response.

© Karen Levi 2025