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I have not resumed watching the evening or late news ever since 10.27. Initially it was because, sadly, Tree of Life was the news, and I had no interest in observing how the media portrayed the day. A few months later I had the opportunity to view a montage of news from that day, an I was traumatized by what I viewed. To this day I cannot watch either live action or television programs with SWAT teams. The news has become a source of dismay, with 24 minutes (6 minutes of commercials) of solely bad news that negatively impacts the psyche of all of America. I’ve chosen to gather news through other means that don’t require me to see it, and I know that I am better off for it. 

Upon looking through the morning paper this past Sunday, the entire first section was filled solely with bad news of both local, national and international impact. It reflected the same attitude of television news, with the total absence of good news. The obvious question to ask is: does anything good happen anywhere to anyone at anytime?  We know that the answer is “yes”, but the media have made a considered choice not to share anything good with us, as though to say that they either cannot find anything good to offer, or they just don’t bother because they have decided it is not worth the time. I’m here to say that they are wrong. 

We are encouraged to continue on in our daily lives because we have hope for a brighter tomorrow. The absence of good news convinces many that there just is no hope, and we are living through the consequences of time where people need hope yet cannot find it. My rejection of the media attitude means that I have to work harder to find hope, but I find it a worthwhile endeavor that becomes so rewarding. Frequently moments of hope find me without my looking, but I think it is because I have refocused my senses to be open and able to receive it. I have learned how to develop an attitude of gratitude. 

Sometimes it is the most simple of things, such as a good night’s sleep, a beautiful sunrise or sunset, the previously magnificent examples of Fall foliage, or the sheer joy of a video call with my granddaughter who smiles and calls me “Z” (she can’t yet regularly say “zayde”, Yiddish for “grandpa”.) It can be picking up a last minute item on Murray Avenue on Friday and hearing strangers wish me a “Shabbat Shalom”. It can be the warm way that congregants greet me on Shabbat. I can be the butternut squash soup recipe that I tried for the first time that was delicious. It can be the first piece of challah on Friday evening. By adjusting my focus, I choose to identify what gives me joy, giving space for these moments to swirl around like the initial taste of a new single-malt in my mouth, expressing gratitude to God for these gifts. The bad news will still be there waiting for me when I chose to let it in.

We are on the cusp of the holiday of Thanksgiving, a uniquely American institution with Jewish origins (think “Sukkot”). When we gather with family and friends, this is truly a moment for gratitude. Part of that attitude is to recognize that there are folks less fortunate who might not feel the gratitude. Judaism demands that we do more. An expression of gratitude in recognition of this moment goes a long way towards developing consistent attitude of gratitude. May we all be privileged to do so.