Today was a truly remarkable day. Republican or democrat, black or white, young or old - no matter who we are, there is no doubt that we will never forget where we were when Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States of America.
More people than ever before in history gathered in Washington, D.C. to be a part of this historic day. All around the world people watched, awe-struck, as the Obama's officially became our new, young, first family. As they said on the evening news tonight, taxis stopped driving, diners stopped eating - we all halted, and felt as the change our country so desperately needs became official.
President Obama's much-anticipated speech outlined the ambitious goals he hopes to accomplish during his presidency. As I sat and watched, surrounded by silent, teary-eyed coworkers, I felt optimistic and hopeful about our country's future - a feeling my generation of Millennials hasn't felt much in our adult lives. I felt proud to be American. But I also felt a tremendous responsibility:
"We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment – a moment that will define a generation – it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we didn't turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
Tikkun Olam - "repairing the world" - is up to us. There is only so much one man can do. It is up to each of us to make a personal commitment to improving the state of our country, and repairing the world we live in. President Obama is asking us for help.
I often feel powerless when I read about what's happening in Israel, or how many children go hungry at night. But today, President Obama gave us the power to truly be a part of the change we all want to see.
Tonight I'll sleep soundly, grateful that I was able witness this historic day. But throughout the next days, and weeks, I'll be giving a lot of thought to what my personal commitment to repairing the world will be. For some ideas, visit Renew America Together - USAService.org - you can enter your zip code and search through thousands of Tikkun Olam opportunities. If we all committed to making just a few small changes, it would make a huge difference.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
Together, we CAN rebuild the world, one mitzvah at a time.
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