Without values, we are like leaves blowing in the wind.

A number of my friends, family, and people with whom I work are hurting. And since this is a work-related social media platform, I'm going to say something.

On my personal Facebook page earlier this week, I had shared my support as our hearts go out to all of those impacted by the heartless attacks in Israel. Since the weekend, my other half and I have determined that those we know are alive, gratefully. I do not yet know about my college acquaintance whom I believe still lives in Gaza. 

In my household, our experience with the devastating events since Saturday have been literally nothing compared to the households and individuals living it hour to hour and minute to minute. We are also sad and deeply concerned for those who have people in their circles who are missing or have, tragically, already lost loved ones. 

For many years (15), my other half worked for the North American HQ for an Israeli-company and he visited there dozens of times. As a result, he has grown to love and care for many people who live and work or have family in Israel, mostly in and around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I, too, have two people with whom I have closely worked (the kind of close where you're texting and calling at all times of the day and weekend for many years) who are living in Israel for whom I am extremely concerned for their safety. I also have old HS and college friends and two from Philly who are now living there. My American college acquaintance who is living in Gaza, I am likewise concerned for her safety. We want peace in short order, as soon as humanly possible and we denounce the inhumane, inexcusable, sickening terrorist behavior we are seeing.

If we stay silent, we raise the likelihood of antisemitism and Islamophobia both here and abroad. Our words are an expression of our values as well as what we expect and will fight for in this life. Without values, we are like leaves blowing in the wind.