We Are the Phoenix: From Ashes, We Build
There is something profoundly beautiful about the current timing.
We’re sitting in the day of Tisha B’Av, the anniversary of our greatest destruction. A day that mourns what we lost, but also whispers about everything we still have the power to build.
The Jewish story has never been one of avoiding fire…it’s about walking through it.
Again. And again. And again.
Every exile. Every heartbreak. Every act of hatred. Every time the world thought we were finished…
…we rose.
The phoenix has always reminded me of the Jewish people, not because fire is the goal, but because every fire burns away what no longer serves us and reveals something stronger, purer, and closer to G-D.
This season also falls during Leo.
People often think Leo is about being seen. I don’t. To me, Leo is about the heart. It’s the courage to lead and the humility to serve. The greatest leaders don’t build themselves.
They build others.
That’s the kind of leadership our world desperately needs.
A few weeks ago, I met a Jewish woman at a retreat who quietly admitted something I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.
“I feel alone.” That broke my heart.
Because I know something she couldn’t yet see.
We are not alone. For years I’ve had the privilege of building relationships with Christians, Hindus, Assyrians, Muslims, Persians, Black leaders, Latino leaders, and people from communities across the world who have chosen to stand with the Jewish people and not because they have to, but because they believe truth deserves great company.
That’s why I started my new series, Community Builders & Truth Speakers.
Not to convince the world but to remind our own people.
To remind every Jew who feels isolated that there are builders everywhere. There are courageous people choosing relationship over division, truth over propaganda, and community over fear.
Maybe that’s how redemption comes.
Not all at once. But conversation by conversation. Heart by heart. Community by community.
If Tisha B’Av teaches us anything, it’s that destruction is never meant to have the final word.
Redemption is.
If this journey speaks to your heart, I’d love for you to join us.
Follow the series on Instagram: @Anna_Vlada_S
Every week I’ll introduce you to extraordinary bridge builders from around the world who have chosen to stand with the Jewish people and build hope instead of hatred.
My prayer is simple:
That every Jew who feels alone discovers they never were.
And if you’re someone who builds with the Jewish community, regardless of your background, I would be SO honored to tell your story.
Reach out to me at anna@thisconvo.com.
Because redemption isn’t built by one person.
It’s built by ordinary people who choose, every single day, to become builders.
May we merit to be that generation. ✨
