There are times that feel like an important transition point, particularly when a year where trouble seems to be on the horizon passes, and the other begins. It’s not only the transition of the calendar but our social stability that can seem shaky. Recently at these moments it has seemed like things are changing to a time of increasing uncertainty, where a lot of things could go very, very wrong, when the democracy I’d been comfortable taking for granted could falter.

Sometimes it feels like the world is fracturing into billions of pieces. There are disasters at home and work and difficulties with those we love and care for and ourselves. … This brought to mind the concept of tikkun olam (repair of the world), the mystical tradition that tells the story that in creating the world, God contracted and poured part of God’s Self into vessels of Light. Love, is our primary tool to manifest God’s presence in the world. Our job is to find and connect these sparks within ourselves and each other, using the force of love. … nurturing the spark within and becoming the vessels of Light and Peace, we can effect a real tikkun olam, repair of this fractured world.