The story has become sickeningly routine. Gunman with high-powered rifle opens fire on crowd of people, killing (X) and wounding (Y). On April 27, 2019, this gruesome modern cliché played out in Poway, California, a short drive north of San Diego. The 19-year-old gunman, his hatred fueled by the anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that thrive in the dark, fetid corners of the Internet, took an assault rifle into the Chabad of Poway synagogue, killing one person and wounding three more. As the close-knit spiritual community has struggled to heal after the attack, they were recently given a lift by a special guest. Enter Estee Ackerman, the Long Island teenager who just happens the national women's hardbat champion. Ackerman, a deeply spiritual person who observes orthodox Jewish traditions, is often seen entertaining synagogues across the country with her traveling table tennis exhibition. After the tragedy in the Poway this spring, Ackerman was compelled to visit the synagogue's day camp to speak to the children. There, she wowed the crowd with her skills, patiently playing with every kid who lined up to rally with the champ. Afterward, she spoke to the children, sharing stories about table tennis, faith and life in general. "As you go through life," she said, "no matter where you are, challenges do come. That's a given." She continued to the attentive crowd, "That's only how we're going to grow and that's only how we're going to become the best people, ultimately, that we are destined to become." Estee's father, Glenn Ackerman, accompanied her for the cross-country trip. "Estee went there with the aim of inspiring the students, but we left feeling more inspired by them," he said. In the face of murderous hate, this resilient community has emerged stronger through the healing power of love and faith.

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