Last night, as I sat in my living room, lighting Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah candles alongside my roommates (not one of whom being Jewish), I received the most jarring message I’ve received in quite awhile. The message came from a friend who I was planning on studying with later that night: “I rescind my offer to do homework tonight. RBG died and I am unwell”. This text elicited an audible gasp, and I had the accidental misfortune of informing some of my roommates who had not yet heard. The mood in the room changed, everything became much more somber.

Due to COVID, I made the difficult decision to stay on campus for the high holidays this year. This is the first time in my 21 years that I have not spent the high holidays with my family. Additionally, none of my roommates are Jewish. While I felt the weight of these two things as I recited the Shabbos and Rosh Hashanah prayers completely by myself, I also felt the weight of those who surrounded me anyway. I felt an immense gratitude being surrounded by people who I love, and who ensured I did not celebrate the holiday alone. It was as I was taking in this gratitude that I was informed of Justice Ginsburg’s passing.

My heart broke with this news. Instantly my mind went to the political repercussions, how a new appointment by Trump would mean a 6-3 split in the Supreme Court, and what that could mean for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the rights of so many other minority groups that are now much more likely to be compromised. But then I thought of the Ginsburg family. I thought of my own Rosh Hashanah dinner, and I thought of their Rosh Hashanah dinner. I thought of the pain her family must be experiencing, during what is supposed to be a joyous time, the start to a sweet new year. Myself, and COUNTLESS others are grieving the loss of a trailblazing, passionate, fierce, incredibly strong woman and role model. I can only imagine that our pain is truly unmatched by that of her family.

Not even four hours after Justice Ginsburg’s passing, Mitch McConnell came out with a statement saying he is ready to move forward with a new appointment immediately. Not even four hours after she took her last breath, and noted that her dying wish was not to be replaced prior to the election, this man decided that Justice Ginsburg’s family, and the rest of the country, didn’t need time to mourn. There was business to be done. I am personally so devoid of hope, so confused as to how our country reached this point. So many people in power, refusing to celebrate the life of a woman who changed a great deal of lives, but instead pushing forth their political agenda, no less on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Today should not be about politics. Today should not be about a new Supreme Court appointment. Today should be about recognizing the change created by Justice Ginsburg, and all of the amazing things she did in her time on this planet. And today should be about ringing in the new year, and willing this year to be better, brighter, more filled with love than the last. L’Shana Tovah Umetukah, may this year be truly sweet.