Written yesterday:
Today, the first dawn after the 2016 presidential election, with a new world on the horizon, I feel tremendous pride in working for the organization that I do. “Jewish Vocational Services engages, encourages, and empowers people to achieve social, cultural, and economic integration. JVS was established in 1949 to assist Holocaust survivors, refugees and those returning from WWII, enabling them to build better lives in the United States. Today, our programs meet the needs of all who face barriers to employment. Whether it is coaching a client on how to request a disability accommodation from their employer or helping a newly-arrived refugee enroll their children in school, JVS works to empower people to address challenges to their self-sufficiency. And, above all, JVS makes clients, staff and visitors from all walks of life feel welcome.” (http://www.jvskc.org/our-mission/)
Not long before the lunch hour today I received an email from the Executive Director of JVS in which she extended an invitation for all staff to attend a luncheon during which questions and concerns about the election would be addressed. The idea was to share and to make a plan for continuing the good work of our organization.
At first I did not want to make the drive downtown just to meet for a discussion regarding the election considering the degree to which I usually distance myself from politics. I quickly decided, however, that it might be a good idea to know the thoughts and concerns of those I work for and with. A few hours later I found myself eating a left over burrito in the JVS board room.
With so many people from countries other than America gathered together there was a certain need to explain the basic processes of our government: Electoral College, popular vote, checks and balances, etc. I liked how George Takei explained the result in the following tweet, “… People elected Hillary, System elected Donald.”
With some understanding of the how’s and why’s we were able to express and explore how we will, as an organization and as citizens, continue to support and address those we serve and our community. At this point, we take some solace in the fact that we can reassure our clients that people in our immediate community care as seen through past donations and an onset of new ones.
I pray that the confusion and fear that many feel right now can soon be replaced with relief and peace through acts of love, inclusion, and acceptance.
A very grateful thanks to JVS’ Executive Director for creating a safe place to encourage her staff to keep doing good work, to figure things out together, to express real concerns, and to be open about finding a solution.
