The November 5th, 2013, New York Times article by David Bornstein, Protecting Children From Toxic Stress, is a powerful call to action.

Each day we ignore the reality of science about the impact of early childhood adversity on the development of a child’s brain, we eliminate the potential of that child to the realization of fullest health and well-being. We add to the coffers of emotionally and medically compromised beings who cannot optimally contribute to the social and economic prosperity of our planet. We diminish the pool of children who could grow up to become hyperagents of change, the social entrepreneurs and philanthropists who could solve the world’s greatest problems. The data is stunning and the solutions clear.

Two thousand years ago, Hillel, the seminal religious philosopher, noted that whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.

Hillel also commented: “If not us, who? And if not now, when?”

When indeed?