Pathways to Hope When the World Feels Broken

It’s a frightening time. Political division feels sharper than ever. In the Jewish community, we are still reeling from October 7th, with many experiencing antisemitism for the first time.

Then came last Wednesday, when Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum, with the assailant yelling, “Free, free Palestine!”

In moments like this, one thing feels especially hard to hold on to: hope.

Global events deeply affect our sense of optimism. Birthrates drop in times of crisis; young Israelis are leaving in search of a more stable future. Peace in the Middle East feels like a punchline. I understand the despair.

But I also work in the nonprofit world—and that means I’m in the business of hope. Every program, coalition, or campaign we build is rooted in the belief that the world can be better. That belief is essential. Without it, we may as well stop showing up.

I have spent my career working on a difficult and painful issue—domestic abuse in the Jewish community. People often comment to me that I seem so positive despite the heaviness of my work. What they may not realize is that that’s the whole point—I am positive because I believe that change is possible, and that we are getting closer every day.

But realistically, how do we do this? How do we build and sustain hope even—especially—in the difficult moment we are living through?

Here are some pathways that help me:

1. Fix Something Small

When I’m overwhelmed, I choose a small corner of my house and tidy it up. Fixing one small area can make you feel like you’re doing something, even if there’s still a big mess to contend with.

Antisemitism is a bigger issue than any of us can single-handedly solve. But what’s one thing you can do? Think of one person you can help, one small act of advocacy you can undertake, one organization you can support or get involved in.

In world where there is so much you can’t control, finding the places where you can have an influence is powerful—and empowering.

2. Culture Matters—and You’re Part of It

There’s an old saying in the business world: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” In the workplace, it’s meant that the culture and “vibe” of an organization has much more to do with its success than the quality of its strategy.

Even outside work culture matters. Lots of bad things that happen in the world, from antisemitism to abuse, partly because of culture, because of what we pay attention to, what we care about, what we ignore, and what we justify. Culture is something we all participate in, whether we realize it or not.

In an interview about the D.C. killings, AJC CEO Ted Deutch shared a sobering thought: “When antisemitism is normalized, that’s when we start to see the real danger that results in the violence we saw last night, and everyone has a role to play in making sure that doesn’t happen—that we never tolerate the kind of antisemitism that can lead to this.”

The things we say are the things we end up doing. Therefore, cultural conversations matter far more than you realize.

We all have a role to play in creating the kind of culture we want to live in. By being mindful of what we say, what conversations we open, what language we use, and what we post, we can create a safer and healthier community.

3. Do Life, Anyway

When the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt, Jewish couples separated from one another, unwilling to bring babies into a frightening, dangerous world. According to the Midrash, the prophetess Miriam convinced her parents to reconcile, leading to the birth of Moses.

Miriam’s message is a potent example of hope in the face of difficult circumstances. Miriam focused on choosing life, no matter the circumstances, and with the birth of Moses, her action brought about the redemption of the Jewish people.

Choosing life means showing up, taking risks, doing the things that matter even if they’re challenging, even if you are afraid. That’s what Jews have been doing for thousands of years. And while it’s been quite a rocky ride, Am Yisrael Chai, the Jewish Nation Lives.

In this dark moment, hope can seem like a distant dream. But by finding the small pieces you can fix, being part of creating a healthier culture, and living your life fully, you can put hope into action. If Jewish history teaches us anything, it’s that hope is the best bet of all.

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