The Power of Presence

THE POWER OF PRESENCE

War. For over three weeks, we have been hyper-focused on the war that is unfolding in Israel.  With the never-ending news cycle, our attention has shifted from one chapter in this story to the next. Attempting to process the unfolding horrors of Hamas’ barbaric attack on our homeland, then trying to somehow come to terms with unfathomable numbers of casualties, hostages, injuries, and the countless displaced families. Our focus then shifted again, this time to the battlefronts, both in the north and the south, watching the surgical attacks from the air, and bracing ourselves for the next stages of the battle – on the ground. We have watched cycles of rage and violence unfold in the US and around the entire world, wondering when we will awake from this nightmare, asking ourselves this can truly be happening.

But tonight, together with other representatives of the American rabbinate, I had the privilege to hear from ordinary people who remain singularly focused on the events of this past Simchas Torah.  The Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem, one of many hotels which are currently providing hospitality to evacuees from both the north and south, is currently providing shelter, food, warmth, programming, and relative calm, to over 1600 people who watched the horrors of that fateful day unfold in real-time. They shared their stories with a mixture of intense trauma and profound composure.  Men and women, of different ages and backgrounds, sharing the horrifying events of three weeks ago.  I, together with my friends and colleagues, did the only thing we could do – sit and listen. I could not help but feel exceptionally inadequate to be sitting in that space, profoundly aware of how little I could possibly understand and appreciate the trauma that they had experienced.

Yet, something remarkable happened. Something which I have seen so many times before yet caught me by surprise tonight – they were all so grateful for our presence and concern. They felt so lifted and comforted knowing that there were others who cared for them, their families, and their communities.

The simple act of lending a listening ear, providing a space for them to share their experiences and their pain, served as a vivid reminder that sometimes, all it takes to make a significant impact in someone’s life is to be present, to show up, and to listen. In the midst of the chaos and the devastation, the simple act of being there communicated more than words ever could. It was a moment of genuine connection.

As I listened to their stories, I realized that this act of listening was not just beneficial for them; it was transformative for me as well. It was a stark reminder that in our quest to provide solutions and fix problems, we often underestimate the power of presence. We forget that sometimes, all a person needs is to feel heard, to feel seen, and to know that they are not alone.

So, as we navigate the complexities of life and encounter people who are experiencing challenging times, let us never underestimate the impact we can make by simply offering a listening ear. Let us remember that our presence, our ability to listen, and our willingness to simply be there can be a source of hope and strength to those in need.