Tragic events in Haiti and a Focus on Heroism

January 18, 2010 · Filed Under Baum's Blog 

The news from Haiti this week has been profoundly upsetting for all of us.  To see so many lives taken prematurely and suddenly is hard to watch.  To think about people alive but trapped is beyond upsetting.

To add insult to injury, people like Pat Robertson have made some horrible statements blaming the Haitians for their destruction.  The Christian televangelist said last week that the Haitians had made a pact with the devil hundreds of years ago – and are today paying the price.  Rabbi Barr and I focused on this during our streaming Shabbat webcast this week (you can watch the archive if you missed it).

However, today, I am more interested in focusing on the positive.  I was struck last week by the story of adopted children still living in orphanages in Haiti waiting to come to their new families in America (because of bureaucracy).  I was so touched to see on the news last night that some of those children have been taken out of Haiti to their new homes.

I am, of course, impressed by the number of people who want to help.  From those of us making donations to doctors flying down to bring supplies and aid, it is amazing to see the outpouring of support.  Tonight at 8 PM I understand that CNN will run a 2 hour special on what more we can do to help.  I plan to watch.

On a day like Martin Luther King Jr. Day – when we remember one hero – I think of all the heroes who are helping in Haiti right now.  All of those who are making sacrifices and acting bravely to selflessly help others.  May they go from strength to strength.


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