Nearly two weeks later, we can still barely comprehend the scope of the South Asian earthquake/tsunami catastrophe.
Like daily announcements from a cruel accountant, the death toll rises inexorably higher. Thousands are missing, millions remain homeless and at risk of epidemic illness. Amazing home videos of 20-foot waves crushing the coastline show nature’s merciless power.
On the other hand, the global response — $2 billion and counting — shows humankind’s equally powerful mercy.
As our stories this week detail, Jews have been deeply involved in the relief effort. The American Jewish World Service, Israel’s Zaka Rescue and Recovery, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and nearly 40 other Jewish organizations are either raising money or are on the ground providing assistance to victims.
We should expect nothing less. It is bedrock Jewish tradition to run, not walk, when others need help. Has there ever been a greater need than now in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and other impacted nations?
The mobilization hasn’t gone entirely smoothly. Logistical problems aside, charges of stinginess were leveled at the Bush administration, then shifted to Arab nations, then to China.
A report that Sri Lankan officials refused Israel’s offer to send a military medical team reminds us that even in the wake of unprecedented global disaster, petty political differences continue to wreak havoc.
When will they ever learn?
We no longer live merely in a post-9/11 world, in which the good people make war against the evil people. We now live in a post-tsunami world in which all humanity must unite against common threats and support common interests.
We inhabit a violent planet. As one observer wrote, “The earth shrugs and 150,000 people die.” Human progress notwithstanding, we remain ever vulnerable to the lethal whims of nature.
More importantly, we can no longer pretend that what impacts one does not impact all. The old bumper sticker reads: “One planet, one people, please!” After the tsunami, no should have to plead anymore.
As Jews we can be proud of our role in the relief effort (and we should continue to give to appropriate charitable organizations). We hope this united global front may generate good will toward Jews and Israel from previously hostile quarters.
But the tsunami is much more than a Jewish story or an Asian story. It is a story about the people of the earth getting their collective act together and behaving, for once, like the inseparable family we are. Or it should be.