Having a Little Faith

Post #27

The other night, I read Mitch Albom’s latest book, Have a Little Faith, in one sitting.  Albom's previous work, Tuesdays with Morrie, became a movie and a great topic of conversation.  His new book has also met with wide acclaim for his thoughtful and compelling writing.

Have a Little Faith chronicles Albom's experiences getting to know two religious leaders.  One, the rabbi from Albom's synagogue, had led a congregation for many decades, working to educate and inspire families, trying to keep them connected to their faith.  The other, a pastor in Detroit whose younger life included drugs, violence, and prison, dedicated his life to saving others, providing food and shelter to those in need.

I couldn't put the book down; it was heart-warming to “meet” these two religious leaders, who were so different from those portrayed in the media.  There is no embezzlement, no stories of infidelity or hypocrisy--just tales of love, faith, and a commitment to helping those less fortunate.  They each reached out to others by offering trust and hope.

As an early board member of the Faith & Politics Institute, I, too, was privileged to work with people who used their spiritual beliefs to make a difference in public life.  Rather than judging or condemning others, they relied on gentle insights to help focus their own work in service to others.

Albom was fortunate to know such great men. Wouldn’t it be nice if we had more religious leaders like Rabbi Albert Lewis and Pastor Henry Covington to inspire us with their modesty and dedication?  Surely they are all around us, but they don’t receive adequate recognition for their life’s commitment to helping others.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How important is faith to your daily life?  Would you like to share your experiences with your faith leader(s)?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#27) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Ring in the New!

Post #26

The beginning of a New Year always brings such great opportunity.  Starting again.  Many of us make vows that renew our commitment to lose weight, exercise more, or donate more money or time to local charities...or other worthy priorities.

I love the chance to look both backward and forward. It helps me stay focused on achieving my goals—be they professional or personal. 

My birthday is nearly exactly at the halfway point of the year.  At that time, I always take stock of where I am and resolve to do better.  Just a few months later, the Jewish High Holidays signal another new beginning.  Our Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, forces us to ask forgiveness for our sins.  Again, this allows us time to reflect and vow to do better in the future.

New Year’s in America usually signals the end of a period of weeks of parties and public events.  Consider taking a few moments as you look at your new calendar or day planner (for those who use either any more!), and ponder how you might do better this year.  Regardless of your personal goals or how you celebrate the New Year, perhaps we could all resolve to be just a bit kinder to our neighbors, a bit more generous in our community, and a bit more patient with those who need it.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Do you tend to make New Year’s resolutions?  What have been your most (or least) successful?  You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#26) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

The End of an Era...or the Beginning?

Post #25

Yesterday, our wonderful local public radio station, WAMU, aired a segment on the closing of Lambda Rising.  Self-described as Washington's “bookstore that celebrates the gay and lesbian experience,” it has been a landmark in Dupont Circle for the past 35 years. 

It was through the store that the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community gained visibility, support, a safe haven… and ultimately greater acceptance in the mainstream.  In addition to selling books, the store was a gathering place and organizer.  For 5 years, Lambda Rising organized the precursor to DC Pride Day until it outgrew the neighborhood’s capacity.

Rather than a reflection of the failing economy or the decline of independent bookstore, founder and co-owner Deacon Maccubbin attributes the closing to the success of the gay and lesbian movement.  For him, it’s a better use of the phrase “Mission Accomplished” than former President George W. Bush’s infamous proclamation regarding his perceived end of America’s major military efforts in Iraq.

It’s amazing how quickly our society has changed when it comes to the LGBT community.  I recall when the popular television show “L.A. Law” aired an episode (could it really have been as recently as 1991?!) with two women kissing and the kerfuffle that that created.  This was before Clinton’s policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which disappointed all sides of the issue.  (Rather than moving backwards on the issues of gays in the military, there are now congressional cosponsors being gathered to allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military.)

And although we still see unfortunate instances of anti-gay hate crimes, it seems the era of hateful condemnation of gays as “deserving” of AIDS is (mostly) behind us.  Instead, the dialogue is focused on marriage equality, adoption, access to a partner’s health benefits, tax and inheritance laws.

Lambda Rising, once the gathering place and source of support for the DC-area gay and lesbian community, believes its mission has been accomplished.  We have openly gay legislators, athletes, artists, and religious leaders.  With rare exceptions (like Iran’s President Ahmadinejad whom we ridicule), most people acknowledge the presence and the contributions of the LGBT community as parents, as colleagues, as leaders, and as valuable members of our diverse society.

Indeed, it has been quite an impressive—and recent-- history of progress.  Maccubbin and his partner deserve to enjoy their retirement and celebrate their accomplishments.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Have your views evolved regarding the LGBT community over the years?  Which existing barriers do you believe the most troubling?  You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#25) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

The Meaning of Christmas

Post #24 

Today is Christmas Day.  Whether or not it is a holiday you celebrate, many people will be spending a day off from work with their families.* 

On this day, we celebrate “Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All” and feel loving and charitable as many exchange gifts or tear open those delivered by various “Secret Santas.”  So, how are we doing as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated by Christians around the world?

First, we obviously don’t have peace.  Brave American soldiers are at risk around the world and continue to be returned to their loved ones in pine boxes.  Terrorism, border skirmishes, hostage-taking, and the reckless use of firearms threaten families at home and around the world.  While President Obama has been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize for his early outreach efforts to other countries, we have a very long way to go to realize a more peaceful world.

‘Goodwill to All’ is another lofty goal that we are far from achieving.  Whether it’s the unanimous NO vote on health care by the Republicans in the U.S. Senate or the rise in rudeness in online debates (including my own Facebook page!), we are an increasingly divided country.  It seems a challenge for many to even disagree in a respectful manner and really hear what their opponents are saying.

Empathy and charity are sometimes supplanted by a myopic focus inward and denial of others’ suffering.  Did you know that according to the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, there were 1150 homeless people in Montgomery County-- of which 272 were children?  This was in January of 2008; surely the numbers are worse now.  Interfaith Works assisted over 6,000 low-income and homeless families and provided clothing to over 18,000 individuals last year.  Finally, despite our wealth, the Developmental Disabilities Coalition found that Maryland ranks 43rd among states in our spending on developmental disabilities services.  The burden on families and underpaid staffers is difficult to imagine.

As we celebrate our time with loved ones in a warm and safe home, let’s remember that we have a great distance to go before we can truly accomplish what people describe as “the spirit of Christmas.”  Perhaps we can all do our part toward achieving these goals in the coming year.

*I’d like to acknowledge the hard-working and committed firefighters, police officers and other public safety personnel who are working to keep us all safe today and every day.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How can each of us personally help achieve these lofty ideals?  What holiday values can we work to maintain year-round?    You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#24) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Buy Local: Why It's Important

Post #23

As people continue scurrying around, completing (or starting?) their holiday shopping, there’s a factor you might not have previously considered.  In addition to everyone’s wish list and appropriate colors and sizes, you have an opportunity to help the local economy and protect jobs.

In countless ways, the Internet has brought the world closer together.  What it has hurt, however, is local commerce.

Did you know that every dollar spent recirculates within the community an additional six to eight times, according to Rockville Economic Development Inc. (REDI)?

In addition to individual consumers choosing to support local businesses, businesses can also focus on supporting their local colleagues.  Rockville’s Legacy Hotel set a great example.  By buying their cleaning supplies locally, they were able to “go green” by reducing the emissions of long-distance shipping and delivery.  (I suspect there was also a hope for some reciprocity through referrals to their lovely hotel!)

In addition to Rockville, other area jurisdictions (including Annapolis/Anne Arundel County, Alexandria, and Silver Spring) have emphasized buying locally.  Others around the state and around the country are currently exploring the same concept.

REDI also informed me that Montgomery County government requires its County departments to purchase 10% from local registered (www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lsbrp) small businesses.  I would love to read some studies as to the compliance, price competitiveness, and impact of such a policy.  Should it be emulated elsewhere for its impact?

Regardless of the long-term prospects for policy incentives, there are many local shop-owners who are hoping to see you (and your credit cards!) in the coming days.  Perhaps you can help them to have a happy holiday season as well?

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How conscious are you of patronizing local businesses and family-owned eateries?  Should it be a mandate or goal in government spending?  You may send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#23) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.