Compassion - the answer to the chaos.

Photo Credit: Michaeloart2012 via Compfight ccI sent out a version of these thoughts through my newsletter but I thought they bared repeating. My heart is crying.Actually my whole self is crying.The world is in so much pain.There is so much hurt and tears, and sorrows.We need to change the conversation of this difficult world that we live in.  The world that our children grow up in.  It is hard to have these conversations but I hope that compassion can begin to lead the discussion and create human dignity that all people deserve equally.Despite feeling discouraged by events taking place of late, I intend to enter the holiday season with joy in my heart. It’s not always easy and I need to be intentional from time to time to reassess and find sources of hope. I worry for our future and my children's future. I want them to be the best humans that they can without judgement and feel we could always do more to help our fellow beings in time of need.

I am an Ashkinazi Jew descended from immigrants who fled Russia during the Nazi regime. My family was one of the lucky ones because they were allowed to come to America as refugees. It is hard for me to think about Anne Frank who was not allowed to come to the United States and who subsequently met a horrible fate. What would her children be doing today if she had been allowed to come to America?I think back even further to the colonization of America by European immigrants who came to find freedom from atrocities in their nations. I want to reflect on the Thanksgiving feast they had when the people of America welcomed these refugees.Change starts within each one of us and I see a spark, a match lit and although faint, and I have much reason for hope.There are so many of you standing up for justice.You are standing up and speaking for:

• #blackLives matter movement
• families that are needlessly grieving the loss of their children
• Animals that receive terrible injustices.
• Refugee children that need to be welcomed and loved into our communities
• Muslim neighbors and friends that deserve our support and respect
• LGBTQ community to support and love all families
• Food justice and fair wages and human rights.

Although it can feel overwhelming, collectively, this community is making a huge impact.With that, I have two requests:1. Share your story of hope and compassion on the Sanctuary Blog.  Please send me an email about yourself or someone you know that is doing something incredible for the community. By getting that story out, we can continue to share a message of hope and motivate others to action. Happy HolidaysFrom our family to yours.

Chef Barry, Jennifer, Jayden and Adeline