The secular year 2016 has started in a sad way. In a mere matter of days we have lost three precious Jewish souls in our local communities.

Daniella Moffson, 21, of the Upper East Side and a Barnard junior, died on a volunteer mission when her bus crashed and overturned in Honduras last Wednesday.

Our tears didn’t stop on Motzei Shabbat, after we learned of the death of Devorah Stubin, 22, a Passaic resident, who lost her way while driving and ended up crashing her car into the Passaic River.

If that pain wasn’t searing enough, we heard that little Chaim Kraus, 6, was fatally struck by a car that jumped the curb in Highland Park, hitting both the young boy and his mother, Rochi, 37, as they were walking to Agudath Israel of Edison and Highland Park last Shabbat afternoon.

It’s with a great sense of sorrow that we offer our strength and support to all three families who have experienced the unthinkable.

Daniella, a Ramaz graduate, was ever offering her service as a volunteer to make this world a better place.

Devorah was also someone who wanted to help, and gave selflessly to those in need.

Chaim was on his way to his Pirchei group at shul.

This was not the news we wanted to report nor read. And while many of us get so caught up in the high drama of televised political debates, the preparations for an approaching snowstorm or by myriad trivial angsts that follow us through the day, the perspective here is real. Daniella, Devorah and Chaim died untimely deaths. In our local communities it’s sad enough when we experience the passing of an aging or ill friend or relative. But when we have three beautiful, young people taken so suddenly from our families and communities, it gives us pause about what is really important in our lives.

If anything, hug your children, whether they are six, 26 or 46. Let them know how much you love them.

May the memories of Daniella, Devorah and Chaim be a blessing and a comfort to all of us who will miss them. Baruch Dayan Ha Emet.