June 2018

   “Ani V’ata, You and I.”  This is the beginning of a beautiful song which translates as: “You and I will change the world, then everyone will join us;  we will start from the beginning, it will be tough but that doesn’t matter;  you and I will change the world.”
 
   This came to mind as I recently read the following quote from Anne Frank’s Diary: “How wonderful it is that no one has to wait, but can start right now to gradually change the world.”   Anne’s birthday is this month, in June, and as we know, in 1942 she received a very special birthday present, a diary in which she chronicled her life in hiding.  No one can know which birthday presents will later become meaningful, or how our lives may be transformed with one such gift.  Neither do we know in what ways we may inspire others, giving meaning to the miracle of life and to the efforts of tikun olam, repairing the world.
 
   Perhaps you attended Prime Stage Theater’s stage adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank last month, at New Hazlett Theater, North Side.  Or, no doubt, you have read the book, and our children are reading it, too.  Through it, we have the ability to study our past and to learn from it, affirming that the greatest gift of all is the gift of remembrance that inspires good deeds. 
 
   What can we do to help heal the world today?  Thinking about this is a wonderful gift to Anne Frank in this season of her birthday.  May we say (and sing) “Ani V’ata, You and I,” and continue to work together toward making a difference.     
  

L’hitra’ot, until next time!