My mother made an astute observation about changes in the weather even as her dementia got worse. One uncommonly warm January day, we looked out her window and saw patches of green grass and birds fluttering at a bird bath. She remarked that it was strange for such warm weather during winter.
We are sensitive to wild swings in weather even though we may not live where disastrous forest fires rage or flood waters spread across communities. Many of us, however, may be unaware that a harsh reality of extreme weather is the shrinking of natural resources.
Farm crops, clean air and drinkable water are contaminated by toxins in burning wood and pollutants in flood waters. Today, as in past human history, diminishing resources have been shown to incite violent actions. Social violence includes hateful attacks on vulnerable minority groups, including the Jews.
When confronted with threats to future survival, some take drastic actions to ensure that whatever resources are available, belong to them. Individually or joining together in destructive groups, they divide everyone into inferior and superior categories by race, religion, gender and ethnicity. They are contemptuous of those they deem to have little value to share the reserves. They are driven to use deadly violence against Jews and others, falsely blaming us as the problem.
Hostility against Jews is likely based on the dreadful threat to available natural resources, among other factors. The solution is, though, within our reach. Recalling the words of the recent Rosh Hashanah Shofar service, we have the power to change our lives. With strength and determination, we can be leaders in repairing nature. We all deserve better lives on a robust planet and in an America that is free of hatred and assault.
Mary Greenberg, Ph.D.
Leawood, Kansas