17 Comments

This was beautiful. Thank you for commemorating this day. I have been purposely avoiding the documentary because I thought there would be even more grotesque stories than the ones I’ve already heard that would never leave my mind. It’s too upsetting. I honor the victims in other ways tho. We went to a rally yesterday. We’ve gone to many. We heard families of hostages speak at a town hall in Seattle. We bought a drone for an IDF unit. And prayers o’plenty.

I didn’t sleep last night. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

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Thank you for these encouraging words. They mean a lot. With this post I felt like I was putting my heart on the line and would face a lot of criticism. In theory I can handle it or I wouldn’t have posted but you never quite know until you’re faced with it.

I saw your notes post from yesterday and commend you for engaging locally in important community events to commemorate those we lost and who were so harmed by this senseless brutality.

Thank you for these words . You have no idea how much I needed to hear them.

Feels like Yom Kippur today in the solemness so trying not to spend too much time here,

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I get it. I hear you. I know this was difficult and I so appreciate your courage. We must always speak out and try to educate people. This has been an extra tough holiday season. Sending hugs.

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It's seems weird to "like" an article like this, but what I really want to say is thank you for writing it.

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I've just been reading about the wonderful and widespread community support for the towns and people affected by Hurricane Helene. People can be so kind, and yet, when disaster is outside of their comfort zone, as so much of life must be at the moment, there is no response, or the response is to lash out in fear, or from a position of misunderstanding. Resolution to conflict and disaster may never come for some people and places, but I hope that love, bravery, and kindness may prevail.

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The Charlotte Salomon piece is so powerful. Breathtaking! You were so right in your interview when you said that art possesses a healing quality and can foster a sense of connection among us. I believe this deeply and pray for peace.

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I went to a touring Holocaust exhibit last year (an immersive experience) and the art was the thing that saved me.

There’s so much hope and power in expression

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UW had a small Holocaust exhibit a few years ago, and it was far more potent than I expected. It threw me for about a week. I've thought about it a LOT over the last 365 days.

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It stays with you. I felt like I needed to sleep (and couldn't) for days after.

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Wonderfully and honestly written. The Israel/Palestine situation breaks one's heart as a human being.

I am pretty familiar with the longtime history there for one who is neither Jewish nor Arab. Oct 7th stands alone in modern times for its unique depravity and utter strategic stupidity. It (nothing else!) has cost untold thousands of lives with no end in sight. I pray (literally) for a just solution for all concerned. It seems farther away than ever today.

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Thx. ☺️

It is uniquely depraved and stupidity.

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Beautiful reflection.

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Thanks Jen.

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I too married into a Jewish family, and I am so glad you were called to write this piece. In this age especially where some voices are being amplified over others, it’s commendable to brave the trolls and speak the truth! ♥️

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Thank you for this. Your brave commentaries and staying true to your compass have served as inspiration.

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I ask with politeness and acknowledgement of what you have written here: did you not feel that the atrocities after October 7th should also be recognised, even in a single line?

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This is a post specifically regarding Oct 7th and this film

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