Last week, I asked our local Jewish community a short, but complex, question: What gives you hope in challenging times? I heard from notable Jewish Bostonians; I also heard from everyday people. All are united by the desire for better days to come.

“I have hope in this challenging time because I have met so many younger people in the past few years who are actively working so hard for a more just, more equitable and more peaceful world, despite the mess we seem to be leaving them.”
—Jim Ball, founding member, Jewish Arts Collaborative

“What gives me hope in challenging times is my community; knowing there are people who depend on me and there are also people I can depend on when things are scary or difficult. Alone, challenging times feel impossible to overcome. Together, everything feels much smaller.”
—Avi Shemtov, restaurateur, The Chubby Chickpea

“What gives me hope in challenging times are Jewish stories. From romance to fantasy, memoir to nonfiction, our books connect me to the wisdom, joy, humor and resilience of the Jewish people.”
—Carla Naumberg, clinical social worker and bestselling author

“I’m extremely low on hope at the moment. But I remain true to the teaching of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav: It is forbidden to despair.”
—Anita Diamant, bestselling author

“What gives me hope is the knowledge that I’m an inheritor of a powerful tradition that spans from before Mount Sinai to beyond my lifetime, that binds me to Jews around the world while calling me to bring healing to the world, that grounds me not in fixed answers, but in the pursuit of challenging questions, urging me to see the world not as it is, but as it could be.”
—Charlie Schwartz, founder, Lehrhaus

“What gives me hope is my family’s story and the Jewish collective commitment to telling our stories. Challenging times are moments, long and brutal ones. But we are not a movement; we are a legacy. And we will be OK.”
—Ashley Stanley, founder and CEO, Spoonfuls

“In these trying times, what gives me hope is rachmones. I believe deeply that civility and human decency will prevail, because regardless of where we come from, we must stretch ourselves to recognize those who are different than ourselves. We must find a way to see each other with grace as we want others to see us. As people, regardless of gender or sex or creed or religion. As living, feeling souls belonging to something greater than ourselves. Is this ability not what separates us and makes us truly human? Rachmones is a word as essential as its meaning—rachmones translates to compassion or empathy and, to many, is the cornerstone of the Jewish ethos and teachings.”
—Kathy Sidell, restaurateur, Saltie Girl

“What gives me hope in challenging times is seeing how our community stepped up and took action. From organizing empty table displays and walks for the hostages to creating tunnel exhibits, volunteers took the initiative and ensured that every week this past year, there was a way to stand with the families and hostages and to keep our focus on their anguish and their needs.”
—Jeremy Burton, CEO, Jewish Community Relations Council

We also asked community members for their thoughts. Here are highlights.

“What gives me hope are non-Jewish community members who have shown support.”
—Stephanie

“What gives me hope is the birth of my son this year—bringing a new generation of Jewish life into the world!”
—Rachel

“What gives me hope is our tight-knit Jewish community. We all met and made new friends that we would have otherwise not met. We share a deep connection to the way we were raised and our history attached.”
—Marjorie

“What gives me hope in challenging times is to surround myself with community who lift me up. That can include non-Jewish friends or colleagues who send texts and messages when I am having a bad day. That can include working with my Hadassah community to fundraise for the hospitals, rehabilitation center and youth villages in Israel. That can include baking challah on a weekly basis.”
—Stephanie

“Our strong, brave Israeli soldiers.”
—Rachel

“Seeing the increased sense of unity amongst the Jewish people. Seeing college students walking proudly on campus with their Magen David necklaces.”
—Caroline

“Hearing from my nephew who is in the Israel Defense Forces gives me hope.”
—Aleza

“Seeing my kids understand finally what it means to be a Jew.”
—Julie

What gives YOU hope in challenging times? Let us know in the comments!