Inauguration day was an emotional day for everyone in the country. Some people were filled with joy as they watched their candidate assume the presidency. Others were heartbroken that this is who we have to deal with for the next four years. I woke up on 1/20/17 feeling sad because we as citizens live in a country where people hate their neighbors due to political differences and go on Facebook unfriending sprees when they see others who disagree with them. We as citizens hate some of our fellow Americans.

I had an experience that night that restored my faith in my country, and in my neighbors.

After a tough week of adjusting to my new school routine, I decided to take a breather and go home for the weekend. On Friday night, I went to a Shabbat service at my local temple and sat next to people I had never met before. After all, I only usually go to temple for a few holidays since I have to drive back from college.

I felt at home again. I listened as the whole congregation came together to sing, recognize recent blessings in their life, and pray for those who needed healing. I once again felt like part of a community that I had been detached from since I was in hebrew school back in the seventh grade.

Shaking hands with the people behind me and in front of me and praying with all of them helped me realize that it didn’t matter what they thought of the events that day. The only thing that mattered was what united everyone in that room: their Jewish identity.

The Rabbi spoke about how important it is to love your neighbors and look after your community. He talked about how Jewish people pray differently in every country, sometimes mentioning specific political leaders. He discussed how we are so incredibly lucky in this country because we don’t have to pray to a dictator or a specific leader. We have no specific long-term leader. Our leaders come and go. Policies are always changing. Even though the prayers of jews around the world differ slightly, we all wish for love, happiness, and prosperity in the world.

So I joined in with a community that I didn’t see that often and didn’t really know. I sang, I prayed, and I wished the best to those around me. I didn’t feel separated from anyone due to political beliefs. I felt close to everyone because they were wishing for good in the world.

And that’s something I think all Americans can get behind after a divisive period in time like this: wishing good upon the world, and finding things that unite us.