Faith in Humanity Is Hard Right Now—But I Choose It

My Faith in Humanity Has Begun to Feel Frail

I have struggled more than once with faith, in regard to God, and or organized religion.
But I have never struggled with my faith in humanity, as I find myself doing these days.
Faith seems to be slipping through the rooms of my soul.
As I search for ways to strengthen the threads that weave us all together.

My Identity Challenge as an Israeli, Jewish American

As an Israeli Jewish-American, my heart is always stretched across an ocean.
I wake up to 2 time zones, I adjust to 2 cultures and languages.
But no matter where I find myself, in my home in NYC or Tel-Aviv, the truth of justice, compassion, and acceptance is one.

Searching for Stable Ground During These Painful Times

During more peaceful times, I have felt this to be a richness.
However, during these turbulent days of war and uncertainty, it has become an unfamiliar weight on my heart.
This war, unbearable pain, and what seems to be infinite grief—has me continuously searching for stable ground to stand on.
While in NY, I have faced protesters wishing for my Jewish people’s death, for my Israeli people and state extermination.
In Israel, I hear the echoes of extremists wishing for all non-Jews to leave its borders and having no compassion for those going hungry due to this senseless war.
And in both places a government that seems to march in the opposite direction of essential humane values: empathy, helping others and holding each other up.
My faith has always led me to the beauty of humanity, although a struggle, I refuse to give up on people.

My Faith in People Comes Easier Than My Faith in God

For me faith in humanity has not been a fairytale story of naïve innocence.
Rather a pursuit to enhance the goodness I know exists.
One I can witness, be part of, and be touched by. A more tangible faith than perhaps I have had with God.
It is a decision, made with much intent, that faces resistance and at times like these, much despair.
We Pay an Emotional Cost for Every Moment of War
I find myself in moments of being and witnessing despair.
I witness despair in the eyes of families whose loved one is still being held hostage by Hamas in the dark tunnels of Gaza for over 600 days
I see despair in the eyes of Gazan mothers whose children face deep hunger.
I despair when cries for peace are silenced by shouting voices demanding revenge.

What Keeps My Faith Alive

Yet still—I witness goodness, the people who refuse to give up on each other.
I, together with weekly protestors, hold signs that say “Ceasefire” in one hand and “Bring them home” in the other.
I see volunteers helping endlessly, refusing to turn an eye to all those suffering.
I meet those who hold two truths: peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Calls and messages surround me with words of empathy and care.

Why Believing in People is My Faith

This is where my faith lives.
In those subtle, loud, and stubborn moments.
Faith in humanity is not a perfect one in fact it can be a fractured one.
But it is still in the roots of my soul.
I have known in the depths of my own grief what happens when others let it go.
When hatred can breed, when we loath more than we love.
Faith in humanity is not always a hopeful place to be.
But it sows more seeds for hope to grow on.

Holding On is a Choice I Must Make

There is no Waze to help those like me navigate my Israelism, Judaism, and Americanism all at once.
But I do know, we must hold on to the steering wheel as we continue on this bumpy road of various truths.
I hold tight onto my truth, my faith, my duty to protect humanity.
Otherwise, I will have forsaken children on both sides, my grandchildren and all those growing up in a world we are still shaping.

I am the author of the “Morning Inspiration” series, which provides readers with reflections and thoughts to start their day with spiritual inspiration.

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