Five key stories about democracy

“Mommy, look! A girl police officer!!” I will never forget the excitement in my then four-year-old daughter’s voice as she ran to greet one of the many officers stationed outside of our synagogue in Long Island, NY, on a random Tuesday evening. She and her brother were there with multiple other young children for weekly Hebrew school.

I was less excited. The stepped-up police presence was a response to bomb threats against not just our temple but many in the area. Because this was after October 7, 2023, and Israel was at war. Because being Jewish had suddenly become synonymous with being in favor of genocide. Of condoning war crimes. Of being complicit in the systematic starvation of thousands, as more and more Palestinians in Gaza, including women and children, were injured or killed.