The rededication of the Chesed Shel Emeth cemetery in University City, nearly six months after 154 gravestones were toppled by vandals, presents a good opportunity for everyone to take a step back and a step forward.

Step back and gain some perspective on the vandalism and its aftermath. Hundreds of volunteers stepped up immediately, giving their time, their effort and their money to help restore the cemetery and make it the site of tranquility and reflection it should be.

The restoration efforts drew the attention of Gov. Eric Greitens and Vice President Mike Pence, who visited the site on the day of an interfaith prayer vigil. The Jewish Federation raised about $250,000 to upgrade security measures at the seven local Jewish cemeteries. And a crowd-funding effort organized by a Muslim group hoping to raise $20,000 brought in six times that much.

Then, step forward and look at what such an ecumenical outpouring of support can do for the St. Louis area and beyond. The U. City crime remains unsolved, and religious hatred remains, as shown by an explosion that struck an Islamic center in Bloomington, Minn., the day before the cemetery rededication here.

Turning hate into love and divisiveness into understanding will never be an easy task. But the positive reaction to the cemetery vandalism shows how it can start. At the rededication ceremony, Anita Feigenbaum, executive director of the Chesed Shel Emeth Society, said of the families who were affected by the vandalism, “I’m hoping they find comfort.” Help the healing to continue.