Time to Conga!!

Last night, the Jewish World Watch put on an event entitled ‘Conga Line for Congo’ a Mother’s Day women-only dance party for the Jewish community of Los Angeles. Although I was unfortunately unable to attend the event, it began to make me think about the way people respond to humanitarian need and the way Jews respond to tragedy.

For the women of the Congo who have suffered unspeakable life altering events, a dance party in the city of Los Angels on their behalf might seem a little off to some people. ‘Why are these people dancing around and having a party, while there are thousands of people suffering?’ or ‘what is a dance party suppose to do for the situation in the Congo?’

In my experience with Judaism, tragedy and celebration are closer than one might think. For example, when commemorating the Shoah or Holocaust, the very next day is Israel’s Independence Day, full of celebrations and parties. Judaism seems to realize that tragedy happens and however horrific, life continues and life is wonderful!

At the present moment, organizations are scrambling to get the funding and necessary attention to the country of Haiti who’s people are still experiencing the repercussions of the massive earthquake that hit their under developed country five months ago. When the earthquake first hit and the preceding weeks everyone was willing to donate, via text or through their religious institution or telethons, etc. Now, everyone has ‘done Haiti’ and the situation does not seem so drastic- the need not so needed- and the support has died down.

This is why we need events like ‘Conga Line for Congo’ or ‘Hats off for Haiti’ or ‘Kickball for Kentucky’- because people want to be engaged in many different ways so that their interest in helping others does not dwindle. With any tragedy comes hope, comes the celebration of life, comes the need to more forward in the best way possible.

So what would the women in the Congo think about the Jewish World Watch’s ‘Conga Line for Congo’ event? In my opinion, they are probably happy to know that someone cares enough to mobilize their community in support of helping make their lives better. Along with the many other events the Jewish World Watch puts on- activist protests, educational speakers, direct victim relief- a dace party for women on Mother’s Day seems to be the perfect way to keep the community involved and informed about the situation in the Congo while continuing to enjoy life- mothers, daughters, and sisters together for one purpose- so that the mothers, daughters, sisters, fathers, and brothers of the Congo can live in peace and have a dance party of their own!