Groupthink can cause a society to wilt and wither away, and without having our individual voices within a group, communities become stagnant and the talents and traits gifted to us are stifled, especially when it comes to standing up for the oppressed. In this message (recorded at TBE’s Shabbat morning service on June 5, 2021), TBE member LeAnne Whitlow explains that, while wandering in the wilderness, God commands the Israelites to stand up for the oppressed because we also were "once strangers in a foreign land.” So why do we seem to have lost our unique voices and our acceptance of diversity? The simple answer is fear and lack of faith. Temple Beth-El is committed to leading people into growing relationships with Jewish community, wisdom, and practice that help them thrive intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually and that inspire them to build a more compassionate, just, and peaceful world. TBE Richmond Podcast is produced by Abby Miller. Our theme music is composed and produced by Stephen Frost. Learn more about our dynamic, warm, and passionate congregation, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, at www.bethelrichmond.org.