When 130 people were slain in Paris, the world seemed to wake up. Almost double that number had been killed on the Russian plane that was brought down in the Sinai, a few days previously. 44 were bombed to death in Beirut and another 19 slaughtered in Mali. Outrage, but little more. Obama was silent when the American seminary student, Ezra Schwartz, stabbed to death in Israel, one of 23 recent victims in a rising toll.

However, it was the Islamic terror that pervaded Paris that did it. Obama mourned the American killed there. And regardless of the depth of each crime, you have to ask what hope is there for humanity after such a series of horrific incidences? Is there really somebody up there listening and watching?

It is to “Jerusalem” that I turned for an answer. It is the prime city of Judaism and is also vitally important to Muslims and Christians. Its literal meaning comes from the word peace . And if you were to play a word association game with the word Jerusalem, you may come up with phrases like “charity” or “giving”. The origin of “Jerusalem” can also be traced to oneness or wholesome.

Now we know that giving charity / helping others promotes a feel-good emotion, which in turn enhances resilience. As I read this week:

I know that helping others is beneficial, but I wasn’t aware of the research that shows how much it also benefits our own health.  I wasn’t aware of the extent to which it can lessen the stress and pressure most of us experience.

Three days ago, on Sunday, hundreds of Jewish communities throughout the UK celebrated “mitzvah day“. To translate “mitzvah” into English, you have a “good deed”. People actively gave time to charity – collecting items, distributing items, helping others and more.

Yes, for all the achievement, many have such events. What was different here is that in many areas the Jewish community involved willing local organisations. For example, I happened to be in the Swiss Cottage area of London. Here the South Hampstead Synagogue collected money for the homeless, which involved partnering the neighbourhood Catholic Church and others.

And then along came Jade, who I had never met before.

I was leaving the Synagogue after morning prayers around 9.30am, when in walked Jade and her friend. I guess she was about 20 years old. Very lively. Very presentable. And she was wearing a head covering. Not a covering of the type worn by married orthodox Jews, but clearly recognizable as belonging to a Muslim.

Yes, this devout Muslim and colleague were walking enthusiastically into the Synagogue. I admit: For all my pluralistic nature, I froze for a split second, until I recalled that it was mitzvah day……for all of the wider community. The rabbi, with his distinctive grey beard openly welcomed the two visitors. I later heard that the whole event was a success and those responsible are looking to repeat it.

I am unlikely to meet Jade again. I bet that out political views ‘do not coincide too directly’. And yet, this ‘meet up’ showed a way forward for all of us, in whatever country we reside. And this is the hope that rises out of the funerals in Paris, Beirut and Jerusalem, ensuring we can be more determined (resilient) towards becoming decent human beings for each other.