Less than a week ago, our community in Overland Park, KS was rocked by a terrible tragedy at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom Retirement Center. The attacks on these Jewish facilities and community supporting organizations, affected me personally and affected many around me. Tonight my chapter of teens from BBYO, Twos AZA #0002, accomplished an incredible feat by pulling the community together 3000 large to walk and honor the victims of this tragedy. I could not have been any happier with these young adults. Yes, I said 3000 people, that is not a typo.
Many times as an advisor I look at these teens and the next generation and wonder how they will perform in the real world. Tonight proved to me that there is more Love in the world than Hate and with that Love great things can be accomplished. I Love being Jewish. I Love being a part of my community. I Love being able to proudly say "I helped create a difference today." Even if I played only a minor role, today and the walk showed what a community will do for each other. I feel terrible sadness for the families affected by these attacks, but the result and response is heartwarming nonetheless as these families inspired this community to unite and show their Love.
It would be impossible to name every person who helped create this event, but everyone involved should know how appreciated they are by those involved around the community. We made a memory today.
This is my last semester as an advisor for Twos AZA and as I sat down tonight after the long and exhausting day, my mind could not stop thinking of all the ways we affected those around us this week. I have zero doubt that this example of true community support will not be the last, but it is one that I will never forget.
This short blog is a brief reminder to those who resort to Hate, that Love will always triumph and people bind together stronger than they push apart. There is room in this world for everyone and I'm so proud to say, as a Jewish man, that our community is Loved equally by those around us and we feel the same way.
Thank you to all who made this event such a special occurrence. Keep in mind to Love first, and I hope we never see another tragedy like the one we saw this past Sunday.
Brandon
