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I have read this piece through several times, just taking it in. I haven’t engaged much in any public forum about this because most online public forums (not referring to this newsletter comments section) are idiotic, un-nuanced, dangerous, frightening, unkind and infuriating. But I did want to come on here to say that I appreciate your willingness to ask hard questions of all kinds and to ask what it means to stand for peace in the face of horrific violence, especially when that violence is both against one’s own people and also perpetrated by one’s own people. This comment space is too small for to write everything I am thinking/feeling as an American Jew, but suffice it to say that I am grappling with the same questions and also struggling with how to engage with my own people about this issue, as I cry for the victims in Israel (especially the children, I come unglued every time I think of them), feel immense sorrow and anger at the Israeli government’s response, feel immense sorrow and anger at the uptick in the US of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim words and actions, and feel immense sorrow and anger at those individuals and governments in the Middle East who not only want to eliminate Jews but who also don’t really seem to want to help the Palestinians directly either (hello, Egypt, among others?). I am deeply sad and deeply scared and also trying hard to be with all of the depth of questioning and what it means to have, as much as possible, a willingness to take a position that may put me at odds with so many of my own and so many others.

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I love you. Thank you for being willing to be vulnerable and weigh in here. It's all so heavy and horrific. I don't envy the complex position it puts you in, but I've always, always got your back.

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Asha, I so appreciate this. As you’ve said, you’re not ‘directly affected’ but I am so glad you’ve resisted the urge to turn away. The people of Gaza need us now as they try to fight the genocide that is being perpetrated against them. Every voice that speaks is another voice of conscience. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

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Thank you, Asha. I understand your fear. I think we have to be willing to say the hard things. Listen to people. Try to see a way forward when the way forward seems entirely impossible.

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Asha. Thank you for this post. It mirrors some of my own feelings and thoughts about this whole mess. The attack, the retaliation, the complicated history, the “who am I, a white American woman” in this whole mess (am I complicit, and how?, and How Can I Change This Complicity?). I am shocked (although I shouldn’t be, given my lack of a great education), at how little I knew of this conflict before October 7th. What does that alone tell you... I am a white American woman who has lived most of my life in a homogeneous community. I feel very much that I want to be involved in some way, to help. I also feel very insignificant and lost in the sea of social media opinions (many who are adamant that they are right and know more than anyone else in the conversation). It is disheartening to see the same inability or refusal for folks to listen to each other in discussion about this conflict. So many want to convince or even force/shame others to see as they do, so few are willing to alter their own beliefs, understanding, or opinions. The very root of conflict, I believe, is the inability to listen to what others have to say. I am coming to a place now, 3 weeks later?, where I think my best work in response to the conflict, or at least the work that is most accessible and also that will never end, is to deepen my practice of listening to and loving other humans. I have another thought or two about actions I can take, but this is already a long post! Again, thank you for everything you’ve said, and for the many links which I will be checking out in the days to come.

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Listen to the last podcast I posted (or read the transcript, though I’m always more moved by hearing the words spoken). I think, as we Quakers say, it will speak to your condition. ❤️

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Oh nvmd! You linked to two podcasts at the very bottom of your letter. I will check them out. Thank you so much.

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I’m having a hard time finding this podcast, can you give me a clue?

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Asha, I love your writing. I can only handle what I have now, however I want to say you have an ability to put words together beautifully expressing what's in your heart. You share so vulnerably. It is a gift to all who read. I have learned so much from you. xoxox

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