When History Repeats Itself

A wartime message; newsletter resumes next week.

Hello, friends. As I imagine many of us are, I am in shock over the atrocities committed over Shabbat and the holiday in Israel, so reminiscent of descriptions I know too well from our past, including that of my own grandparents (who went on to found the State of Israel). I considered that to keep on writing Jewish history was a resistance of a sort, and to actively go on living is the choice we must always make. But I am simply unable to focus my thoughts on the task. I hope to return to it next week with an issue devoted to R. Yehuda ha-Levi, a great lover of Eretz Yisrael and the author of stirring love poetry to her.

If you, your family, or your friends are directly affected, I weep with you. May you find healing of body and soul.

If you, your family, or your friends are called up to serve in defense of Israel, my tefillot are for you. May you succeed in every endeavor and return safely home.

If you are wordlessly horrified, blackened by sorrow, and clinging hard to hope, I see you; I am, too.

A few things I am doing:

• Reaching out to family and friends in Israel

• Bearing witness

• Speaking about what it happening (and fighting disinformation)

• Donating - here are some places my family is donating to:

  • JNF-USA Israel Resilience Campaign

  • Magen David Adom (First Aid)

  • ZAKA (First responders, take care of bodies)

  • Leket Israel (food reclamation for the hungry)

In closing, I’m sharing a poem with English translation by the scholar and poet Ruchama Weiss, who writes and presents a daily poem.

May we meet with better news next week.