Greetings!
The Kroger store that is located right across the street from our offices on Montrose recently finished a significant update to their building and to show their appreciation they wanted to do something nice for the neighborhood and the city, so they donated $5,000 to IM which will provide for 1,000 hot lunch meals for our seniors. We really appreciate the gesture and the recognition, and we thank Kroger for being such a good neighbor.
9/11
This week marks the tenth anniversary of 9/11. There are not many dates in our history that carry so much weight and changed us so deeply. We may have porous borders, but most of us think we are safe within them, even now. So it is fitting that 9/11 not only memorializes the dead and wounded, but now symbolizes a time to come together to serve.
Our city, like cities all over America, will hold a number of events worthy of your attention. We are dedicating a special 9/11 Community Update box, which you will find below this message. I urge you all to find a way to come together and prove that we are stronger than any terrorists, and we affirm our values of openness, freedom and respect. We will not let fear alter the way we live our lives.
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
Even though we cannot let fear change our core values, so much has changed since 9/11. So it is noteworthy, I think, to celebrate something that hasn't changed in my life: this past Sunday I celebrated the fortieth anniversary of my marriage to Alyson. It is probably equally important to note that we've known each other for more than 50 years - and we decided to stick it out together.
Forty, and certainly fifty years, is a long time. We've been asked how we've made it.
The answer is not that simple. Like every couple we've had our ups and downs, though, thank God, many more ups. The other day when I was talking about my upcoming 40th anniversary someone said "boy, I bet you've had a really good 25 years together." There's a lot of truth to that.
So why have we've kept going all this time? Here's why.
Even though we are very different people, we share the same core values. And our relationship from the very beginning has been based on those. We believe in honesty so there are no secrets between us. We believe in family so our hearts swell when things are good and burst when things are sad. We believe in community, so we give back to others always reminding ourselves of the many blessings that God has bestowed on us.
And because of the bonds of trust, loyalty and honesty, our relationship has turned to love. It's not the same infatuation we had when we were teenagers, but it still burns today.
Who would know that a simple love story would be the proof text that some things don't have to change. It's awfully hard work, even now, but in the end, I am convinced that it's the most important work I have done and have yet to finish.
Talk to you in two weeks.
Elliot Gershenson
President and CEO
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
For a complete list of events the City of Houston has planned for the 10th anniversary of 9/11click here.
Greetings!
So did you expect that we would have a record-breaking heat wave this summer? The previous record, at 14 consecutive days, was broken last week and who knows where it will stop. I marvel at the tenacity of IM's staff. Through thick and thin they are out in this heat welcoming refugees and helping them find jobs, delivering meals to thousands of seniors every weekday and following up with case assessment visits. And they do more than just deliver a meal or welcome a stranger, they are checking up on their clients - with an attentive smile and an open heart.
So I want to give out a big THANK YOU to our dedicated staff who brave the heat to make sure that no senior goes hungry and that our refugees are "warmly" welcomed. It is hard work and I so appreciate their positive attitude even in these scorching temperatures.
While the extreme heat continues, more fans are needed for our elderly Meals on Wheels clients. Fans do not solve the problem, but they are an economical step in helping a bit. So if you are able, please consider dropping off a fan or two at our offices (3217 Montrose Blvd) or through our new wish list site here.
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
Things changed on a fateful day almost ten years ago. I was on a Southwest flight out of Dallas to Houston for an interview with the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. Upon landing, we all learned that two airplanes had hit the Twin Towers.
It was a surreal day. I was interviewed with everyone's eyes on a TV that had been wheeled into the room. Somehow we made it through the process and since I could not catch the return flight, we all sat around watching the events unfold. As we became aware of the enormity of the tragedy, it was clear to all of us that a "new normal" was to come about.
That new normal led America into a series of wars, new security institutions and years of doubt.
Now ten years later, in just a few short weeks, there will be many community-wide events and certainly a lot of soul-searching. I have written a small prayer for us all, and it goes something like this:
I pray that men and women of all races, creeds and religion learn that we have the power to destroy and to build. May we understand that though it is easy to rationalize our power to destroy, it is more important to find the strength to build. If our highest aspiration is to reflect the Divine in the world, may we be taught how to love our brothers and sisters, and even those whom we do not know. Show us how to overcome anger and grief and turn our weapons into plowshares. May we be guided to build safe, healthy communities of respect, kindness and compassion. Help us to turn outward to find partners for peace.
My friends I hope that each of us use the memory of this terrible anniversary for good. Look for and participate in the many community activities that will be taking place (you will find a number of them on IM's webpage on the Community Calendar). Learn about a new coordinating body called Compassionate Houston that is being launched to recognize the many wonderful collaborative works being done throughout our city and region (you can visit www.compassionatehouston.org).
My guess is we will see more 9/11s in our lifetime. I also know that we will also see great outpourings of kindness when the next tsunami hits. We have a choice - we can bemoan the state of the world or we can choose to come together to help build a better world. I choose the latter. Join me, please.
Talk to you in two weeks.
Elliot Gershenson
President and CEO
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
