I’m across the country, and I feel betrayed. Jewish words, Jewish wisdom gained through trauma, and the likelihood that Mamdani would inflict serious fear and pain - no one heard us, no one cared. I feel like I’m in a spiritual boxcar.
Spiritual boxcar is really good... too good, in fact... I might have to steal it at some point.
But you are absolutely right -- it is the absolute disregard that is so appalling. And these are my peers, my friends (former), and now it's like I never existed.
The first time I went to Poland, I remember seeing the Jewish graveyard in Krakow -- every tombstone had been effaced so that we couldn't read the names.
It was not enough to kill the Jews -- they had to kill our memory too.
But what I always tell people when they are seeing the 1930s reflected in our own times is that there is one critical difference between our time and then: you. You are here now, and you can stand against the vicissitudes of society.
That is why I end every post with Spread love, Spread Light, Am Yisrael Chai. It's not a statement; it's an imperative. As long as we continue to spread light in this dark world, we will continue to thrive and succeed.
You are welcome to steal spiritual boxcar. I’d be happy to come across it in your writing.
The erasure feels like being stabbed. I wrote something earlier about how the Hamas left, their new mayor, and the terrorist savages of Gaza fantasize about removing Jewish archeology from Israel, destroying it, and building over it.
It’s total annihilation they want. Freddie deBoer, who I don’t typically read, because he’s odious, wrote something like “minarets will rise over Tel Aviv”. He wants that. Such a dark fantasy of dominating, erasing, obliterating, annihilating us - I can’t relate, but at least I know there’s no point in trying.
Jewish resilience and celebration of life is our superpower, though, in Israel, advanced weaponry helps, too.
WE need to stop complaining and start acting like the Jewish gangsters of the 1930's who broke up Bund rallies. Where is the modern-day equivalent that will do the same to the hamas/CAIR rallies. Come on! Stop whining and despairing and start organizing for real action. The Israelis don't whine and despair, they fight!
Thank you Lebo, for both your kind words and your service to this country. I am not worried for myself or the Jewish people because, as you say, G-d is with us. I am concerned for the future of New York, which is such a wonderful city, and I am not worried, per se, but I feel greatly for the young Jewish families in New York who are now in such a difficult position. I know that they will be fine in the long run, but they still have to change diapers and pack lunches and figure out carpool, all while feeling G-d knows what. I worry about the Jewish kids whose peers will bully them in school, now even more than before. With so many major crises in the world, these little losses may seem insignificant, but they matter. Based on the few brief sentences you've shared with me, I can tell that these things matter to you too, and, for that, I thank you.
I’m across the country, and I feel betrayed. Jewish words, Jewish wisdom gained through trauma, and the likelihood that Mamdani would inflict serious fear and pain - no one heard us, no one cared. I feel like I’m in a spiritual boxcar.
Spiritual boxcar is really good... too good, in fact... I might have to steal it at some point.
But you are absolutely right -- it is the absolute disregard that is so appalling. And these are my peers, my friends (former), and now it's like I never existed.
The first time I went to Poland, I remember seeing the Jewish graveyard in Krakow -- every tombstone had been effaced so that we couldn't read the names.
It was not enough to kill the Jews -- they had to kill our memory too.
But what I always tell people when they are seeing the 1930s reflected in our own times is that there is one critical difference between our time and then: you. You are here now, and you can stand against the vicissitudes of society.
That is why I end every post with Spread love, Spread Light, Am Yisrael Chai. It's not a statement; it's an imperative. As long as we continue to spread light in this dark world, we will continue to thrive and succeed.
And so, always,
Spread Love, Spread Light,
Am Yisrael Chai
One more thing - the light. Hanukkah will be extra meaningful this year. Thanks for reminding me to dig out my menorah and check when it is!
You are welcome to steal spiritual boxcar. I’d be happy to come across it in your writing.
The erasure feels like being stabbed. I wrote something earlier about how the Hamas left, their new mayor, and the terrorist savages of Gaza fantasize about removing Jewish archeology from Israel, destroying it, and building over it.
It’s total annihilation they want. Freddie deBoer, who I don’t typically read, because he’s odious, wrote something like “minarets will rise over Tel Aviv”. He wants that. Such a dark fantasy of dominating, erasing, obliterating, annihilating us - I can’t relate, but at least I know there’s no point in trying.
Jewish resilience and celebration of life is our superpower, though, in Israel, advanced weaponry helps, too.
Am Y’Israel Chai 💙
WE need to stop complaining and start acting like the Jewish gangsters of the 1930's who broke up Bund rallies. Where is the modern-day equivalent that will do the same to the hamas/CAIR rallies. Come on! Stop whining and despairing and start organizing for real action. The Israelis don't whine and despair, they fight!
Thank you Lebo, for both your kind words and your service to this country. I am not worried for myself or the Jewish people because, as you say, G-d is with us. I am concerned for the future of New York, which is such a wonderful city, and I am not worried, per se, but I feel greatly for the young Jewish families in New York who are now in such a difficult position. I know that they will be fine in the long run, but they still have to change diapers and pack lunches and figure out carpool, all while feeling G-d knows what. I worry about the Jewish kids whose peers will bully them in school, now even more than before. With so many major crises in the world, these little losses may seem insignificant, but they matter. Based on the few brief sentences you've shared with me, I can tell that these things matter to you too, and, for that, I thank you.