On Tuesday I vicariously experienced three traumas.
First, I heard Judith Ra’anan speak at Dartmouth. She along with her 17-year-old daughter were visiting Judith’s 85-year-old mother at a kibbutz on the border with Gaza when they were taken as hostages by Hamas on October 7th. Judith’s portrayal of this event, including their time in captivity and subsequent release, was highly personal and plainly demonstrative both of her faith and her humanity. I felt fortunate to live in proximity to Dartmouth, where talks like this can freely take place.
Second, I attended opening night of “Come From Away” at Northern Stage. I was working in Lebanon schools on Sept. 11. 2001, and this well-crafted play and superb performance helped me re-experience many of the emotions associated with that traumatic terrorist attack. Again, I felt fortunate to live in the Upper Valley, where such humanity and artistic skills can be appreciated. I highly recommend you go see it while you still can.
Third, I watched raw video of the president’s speech to military leadership. He said we “should use some of these dangerous [U.S.] cities as training grounds for our military…” As our government abandons support for scientific research and attempts to limit free speech while seeming to support the aspirations of Christian Nationalism, in short, as our civil liberties slowly erode, I am left hoping, as Lincoln did, that the “better angels of our nature” will again shine through.