Jul 30, 2024
5 min
Lighting Up the Darkness
A summary of TJF Talks Episode #87
October 7th changed everything. “A lot of people didn’t realize the state of our country and how much perceived danger or threat there feels like boiling under the surface,” Reverend Hayley Ace said on our podcast. That day made it clear how much we’ve boxed ourselves into labels like Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Labour, and forgot that we’re all just humans first.
Reverend Hayley stressed that Christianity and Judaism both teach us that we’re created in the image of God. When we lose that connection, we feel empty. “The problem is so much of what we have become accustomed to is just not listening to each other,” she said. We’re so busy categorizing people that we forget to really connect.
Bridging the Distance
Seth, one of our podcast hosts, talked about how physical and ideological distance strains our relationships. “We used to spend a lot of time in close proximity. And now that I’m in Israel and you’re on the other side of the world, it’s bittersweet.” Even with digital connectivity, emotional connections can feel more distant than ever.
But there’s hope. As Hayley put it, “I wish we could open up more about the good future, what can be, and just talk real straight.” Imagine a future where we care for each other, not just in crises but consistently. “Not just depending on each other when bad things happen, but actively caring about someone else as if he’s part of your family,” she suggested.
Both Christianity and Judaism offer values that emphasize love, respect, and community. Hayley noted, “If we forget that we are created in the image of God, there’s always going to be a vacuum inside us that’s not fulfilled.” This shared belief can bridge gaps between our communities.
The Power of Small Communities
The idea of small, intentional communities is powerful. “A successful church is a church that is built on smaller groups where we can do the things that we’ve just been discussing,” Hayley noted. These small groups can be incubators for love, understanding, and action.
Reverend Hayley shared a story about getting her nails done. Noticing her hostage ribbon, a symbol for the kidnapped, she explained its significance to the curious staff. This moved a nearby woman to tears and inspired her to contribute to the cause. “It’s about having intention, stepping out of our comfort zones to connect with others,” she said.
During our discussion, Hayley also touched on the concept of light and darkness. “There is no light if there is no darkness. We need all of these shades in our existence. Because if it’s all just light, then it will all just be one thing. Life is like a tapestry, humanity is like a tapestry. And for the light to be accentuated, we need the darkness.” This perspective helps us appreciate the complexities of life and the importance of both the struggles and the triumphs.
Taking Action
Seth pointed out a harsh truth about human nature: “Most people are very led by propaganda.” Our education systems often teach us what to think, not how to think, stifling our ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. NASA’s study on genius in children showed that “the genius gene was being educated out of children.” By age 15, only 12% retained their genius level. This highlights how our societal structures often stifle creativity and critical thinking.
The recent rise in antisemitism is a stark reminder of human nature’s dark side. However, it’s also a call to action. “We need to be able to open this up faster and talk about the possible good future,” Seth urged.
Reverend Hayley believes that for real change, we need a shared goal. “It’s about love and then connecting, and that’s it. And then see what happens.” This simple idea can transform our world.
The Role of Education and Media
Education plays a crucial role in shaping our perceptions and abilities. Reforming our educational systems to focus on critical thinking and understanding can pave the way for a more connected and compassionate society. Our media consumption also significantly impacts our perceptions. By promoting narratives of love, understanding, and shared humanity, we can counteract the divisive and often harmful messages that dominate the airwaves.
So, what can we do? Start with small actions. Connect with those around you, listen to understand, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Reverend Hayley challenged us, “We need to make sure then this week, we challenge ourselves to make sure that every day God is included and that we are connecting with people.”
Stories of Hope and Connection
Reverend Hayley believes that for real change to happen, we need a shared goal. “It’s about love and then connecting, and that’s it. And then see what happens.” This simple idea can transform our world.
Reflecting on another anecdote, she spoke about a man she met during a particularly tense protest. “There was a British man riding his bike, and he said, ‘I’m not Jewish. I’m not Israeli. I don’t really know what’s going on.’” She and her group took the time to explain the situation, framing it in a way that showed how understanding it could benefit him. “He then joined our group for two hours with an Israeli flag, and he’d never done that before,” she said. It’s these moments of connection that build bridges.
The Challenge Ahead
This journey towards a more connected and understanding world isn’t easy, but it’s essential. By focusing on our shared humanity and spiritual values, we can bridge divides that seem impossible. As Hayley put it, “Great is my belief that all this global uproar in this shifting world in which we live has come essentially only for Israel. We are now called upon to carry out a great task willingly and mindfully to build ourselves and the entire ruined world along with us.”
In the end, it’s about love, connection, and intention. These are the keys to a better future, one where we see each other not as enemies or strangers, but as fellow human beings on a shared journey. This vision of hope, though simple, holds the potential to transform our world.
Share:
October 7th changed everything. “A lot of people didn’t realize the state of our country and how much perceived danger or threat there feels like boiling under the surface,” Reverend Hayley Ace said on our podcast. That day made it clear how much we’ve boxed ourselves into labels like Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Labour, and forgot that we’re all just humans first.
Reverend Hayley stressed that Christianity and Judaism both teach us that we’re created in the image of God. When we lose that connection, we feel empty. “The problem is so much of what we have become accustomed to is just not listening to each other,” she said. We’re so busy categorizing people that we forget to really connect.
Bridging the Distance
Seth, one of our podcast hosts, talked about how physical and ideological distance strains our relationships. “We used to spend a lot of time in close proximity. And now that I’m in Israel and you’re on the other side of the world, it’s bittersweet.” Even with digital connectivity, emotional connections can feel more distant than ever.
But there’s hope. As Hayley put it, “I wish we could open up more about the good future, what can be, and just talk real straight.” Imagine a future where we care for each other, not just in crises but consistently. “Not just depending on each other when bad things happen, but actively caring about someone else as if he’s part of your family,” she suggested.
Both Christianity and Judaism offer values that emphasize love, respect, and community. Hayley noted, “If we forget that we are created in the image of God, there’s always going to be a vacuum inside us that’s not fulfilled.” This shared belief can bridge gaps between our communities.
The Power of Small Communities
The idea of small, intentional communities is powerful. “A successful church is a church that is built on smaller groups where we can do the things that we’ve just been discussing,” Hayley noted. These small groups can be incubators for love, understanding, and action.
Reverend Hayley shared a story about getting her nails done. Noticing her hostage ribbon, a symbol for the kidnapped, she explained its significance to the curious staff. This moved a nearby woman to tears and inspired her to contribute to the cause. “It’s about having intention, stepping out of our comfort zones to connect with others,” she said.
During our discussion, Hayley also touched on the concept of light and darkness. “There is no light if there is no darkness. We need all of these shades in our existence. Because if it’s all just light, then it will all just be one thing. Life is like a tapestry, humanity is like a tapestry. And for the light to be accentuated, we need the darkness.” This perspective helps us appreciate the complexities of life and the importance of both the struggles and the triumphs.
Taking Action
Seth pointed out a harsh truth about human nature: “Most people are very led by propaganda.” Our education systems often teach us what to think, not how to think, stifling our ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. NASA’s study on genius in children showed that “the genius gene was being educated out of children.” By age 15, only 12% retained their genius level. This highlights how our societal structures often stifle creativity and critical thinking.
The recent rise in antisemitism is a stark reminder of human nature’s dark side. However, it’s also a call to action. “We need to be able to open this up faster and talk about the possible good future,” Seth urged.
Reverend Hayley believes that for real change, we need a shared goal. “It’s about love and then connecting, and that’s it. And then see what happens.” This simple idea can transform our world.
The Role of Education and Media
Education plays a crucial role in shaping our perceptions and abilities. Reforming our educational systems to focus on critical thinking and understanding can pave the way for a more connected and compassionate society. Our media consumption also significantly impacts our perceptions. By promoting narratives of love, understanding, and shared humanity, we can counteract the divisive and often harmful messages that dominate the airwaves.
So, what can we do? Start with small actions. Connect with those around you, listen to understand, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Reverend Hayley challenged us, “We need to make sure then this week, we challenge ourselves to make sure that every day God is included and that we are connecting with people.”
Stories of Hope and Connection
Reverend Hayley believes that for real change to happen, we need a shared goal. “It’s about love and then connecting, and that’s it. And then see what happens.” This simple idea can transform our world.
Reflecting on another anecdote, she spoke about a man she met during a particularly tense protest. “There was a British man riding his bike, and he said, ‘I’m not Jewish. I’m not Israeli. I don’t really know what’s going on.’” She and her group took the time to explain the situation, framing it in a way that showed how understanding it could benefit him. “He then joined our group for two hours with an Israeli flag, and he’d never done that before,” she said. It’s these moments of connection that build bridges.
The Challenge Ahead
This journey towards a more connected and understanding world isn’t easy, but it’s essential. By focusing on our shared humanity and spiritual values, we can bridge divides that seem impossible. As Hayley put it, “Great is my belief that all this global uproar in this shifting world in which we live has come essentially only for Israel. We are now called upon to carry out a great task willingly and mindfully to build ourselves and the entire ruined world along with us.”
In the end, it’s about love, connection, and intention. These are the keys to a better future, one where we see each other not as enemies or strangers, but as fellow human beings on a shared journey. This vision of hope, though simple, holds the potential to transform our world.
Share:
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