On this day of communal mourning in the Jewish world, may we be guided by the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: “Human beings are the only life form capable of using the future tense.” 

May we use this ability to strive to create the world we desire. A world where hatred dissolves into puddles that melt away into nothingness.

Where fear of the Other is replaced by curiosity and open heartedness.

Where people of different religions accept and embrace each other, agreeing that different paths all lead to the same place in the end.

Today is Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the month of Av on the Jewish calendar. On it, we mourn many losses, including the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is a time of both great sorrow and great potential. May we use it well.