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For many of us, the highlight of Wednesday's inauguration was the incredible Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman. Throughout Gorman’s life she struggled with speech and auditory processing issues. We listen to Gorman’s words, and we are moved to tears by her poise, her passion and her message. I think about the blood, sweat and tears it took her to ascend the steps of the Capitol and share her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” It is noted that after the events of January 6th, Gorman felt compelled to rewrite her inaugural poem. 

Part of the profound beauty of Gorman’s work is that she does not hide her struggles. She is open about her story. She does not try and paint a picture of perfection, but rather, she is raw, honest and authentic. 

I think about Gorman as we prepare this week to host our second installment of our Hineini Program, “Gaining a New Perspective.” This Shabbat we will feature Kyle and Gary Simon. The goal of this program is to enable congregants to share their stories, and to help us as a community gain a new perspective about what it means to live with a disability or care for someone with a disability. 

Temple Sinai’s Hineini Committee focuses on inclusion, accessibility and cherishing the uniqueness that embodies our membership and makes our community stronger. The life that Gorman embodies, as well as the words that she shared on the steps of Capitol Hill inspire us. On Wednesday she reminded us of what America truly is, a nation where “a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president”, a place where someone with a speech and auditory disability can overcome her challenges and teach the entire world. Gorman’s resounding words this week remind us of what we are able to do as individuals and as a nation. She helps us gain a new perspective on life, prompting us to focus on what truly matters.  

In a recent interview,  Amanda’s mother reflects on her challenges. She states: "It wasn’t always easy with Amanda's challenges...but she has learned to build people up... every child has a gift, it just has to be discovered. Where there is a deficit, there’s a place where the child makes it up." 

May we enter this Shabbat armed with a new perspective, neither judging nor limiting the accomplishments of others. As we close a momentous week in our nation’s history, I pray we remember that every person we encounter is created in the image of God. 

I leave with you words from Amanda’s poem, words that have already entered the fabric of our nation, words that will be shared for generations to come. 

That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious
Not because we will never again know defeat
but because we will never again sow division