Last Friday afternoon, I received an email from my kids’ school informing parents that a swastika had been discovered on the wall of the faculty bathroom.

I felt:
Scared
Angry
Betrayed
Frustrated
Disgusted
Resentful
Heavy-hearted
Helpless
Exhausted
Hostile
Dejected
Overwhelmed
Vulnerable
…and that was just the beginning.

I also felt:
Inspired…that my family and I could talk about the impact of this honestly and openly
Relieved…that nobody was physically hurt
Hopeful…that the school administration would take aggressive measures to find the culprit
Compassionate…towards others who are also feeling threatened or unsafe
Touched…at how many friends and family members reached out to us
Open…to how others experienced this incident
Energized…to give more tzedakah to causes that protect the vulnerable
Protective…of my family and community
Proud…to be a Jew

A Ladino Proverb reminds us: “Who is blind? Who declines to see light.” And while there is no part of me that believes that a swastika at school is, in any way, positive or productive, there is a part of me that can simultaneously see the positivity and productivity that can result from such a terrible blow.

I am committed to bringing more positivity and productivity to the world, and I am eager to start now. Please read and share this complimentary chapter, How to Create Positivity at Work from my Little Book of Big Ideas for Jewish Professionals.

To Your Success without the Tsuris,

Deborah