My mantra these days:  This is not who we are.  Words spoken in grief, outrage, confusion... And, increasingly: words spoken in faith.  We are walking across America as an act of faith in “We the People.”  I worked the Covid wards as an interfaith chaplain throughout the pandemic. I counseled Covid deniers, dedicated first responders, vaxxers and anti-vaxxers. I saw heartbreak. Anger. Fear. Impossible acts of bravery and love.  In other words, I met all walks of life. And while arguments remained as contentious as ever, even in the Covid wards – nonetheless I learned firsthand the fundamental truth of connection. Empathy works. We all experience loss. We all struggle to say goodbye.  We all, ultimately, need each other.  My parents were German Jewish refugees. They arrived in New York Harbor in the 1930s: little kids among Lady Liberty’s “huddled masses.” Many refugees (including relatives of mine) did not make it to these shores. I grew up knowing what a gift this country is. I grew up in love with this land. I’ve always