I joined my son’s family and friends on Monday night for the reading of the haggadah, the ancient story of the liberation of the enslaved Hebrew people from their captivity in Egypt.
It's not just you: it's just further evidence of how Hamas owns the narrative. It made me ever so much sadder to think that a well-meaning person such as yourself has swallowed it, too.
I read the Tablet piece and found it very difficult to get a handle on. I'm not an expert in statistics and can't really respond to that kind of analysis. Is it your contention that the footage that we see of devastation in Gaza is fabricated?....That the notion of famine is illusory? I would like to have a back and forth with you but we don't seem to agree on the basic understanding of what has happened. Would you agree that there's a humanitarian crisis in Gaza?
It's been so challenging. I can only imagine what it's like for you with your strong family ties in Israel. It feels like a giant exercise in our old friend both/and. To hold the horror of the war and the very real heating up of antisemitism at the same time is a tremendous emotional and moral undertaking.
It is challenging and intensely personal. We had 2 of our adult Israeli grandchildren for the 2nd seder last night. In our discussion, we shared how we all felt so much pain for EVERYONE, both sides of the border. And I said that I felt that it could even be a "cheek" for me to speak so passionately. I live in comfortable, (reasonably) safe Toronto.
My feeling is that everyone has the right, indeed the obligation, to participate in this deeply important conversation. It's wonderful that you spoke with your grandchildren at the seder. That's what the seder is for, don't you think? At the protests at the most elite universities in the U.S. some people in safe places like New York and Boston are holding up signs that say "go back to Poland." All this under the cloud of mass starvation. Let's keep talking.
Thank you, Peg. I think this was the most difficult piece I've written since the Rosh Hashanah d'var Torah I offered after 9/11. I really had to dig deep.
Thanks, Don. I pondered the timing issue but felt I had to stay within the constraints of my Substack schedule. If you have access to a newsletter at a synagogue or something like that, please feel free to reprint it.
Made me cry
Thanks for doing this. I didn't mean to make you cry but it's an honor to know that you were so affected.
I wanted to take pleasure, solace, anything positive from this piece, whose sincerity and effort were evident. But I got stuck early on when you quoted Hamas's fatality figures, which statisticians around the world have thoroughly debunked--here are a few sources for you: https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/how-gaza-health-ministry-fakes-casualty-numbers
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/dont-fall-for-hamass-numbers-game%EF%BF%BC/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/16/could-be-devastating-proof-hamas-faking-death-figures/
It's not just you: it's just further evidence of how Hamas owns the narrative. It made me ever so much sadder to think that a well-meaning person such as yourself has swallowed it, too.
I read the Tablet piece and found it very difficult to get a handle on. I'm not an expert in statistics and can't really respond to that kind of analysis. Is it your contention that the footage that we see of devastation in Gaza is fabricated?....That the notion of famine is illusory? I would like to have a back and forth with you but we don't seem to agree on the basic understanding of what has happened. Would you agree that there's a humanitarian crisis in Gaza?
P.S.: I encourage you to read all three articles. They're designed for general audiences, i.e. those of us who aren't statisticians.
I stand by the research that supports my previous comment. Thank you for giving it your attention. Wishing you and yours a happy Passover.
This writing is immediate, humble and heartfelt, and helps me with a reality that feels almost unbearable at times. Thank you Susie.
It's been so challenging. I can only imagine what it's like for you with your strong family ties in Israel. It feels like a giant exercise in our old friend both/and. To hold the horror of the war and the very real heating up of antisemitism at the same time is a tremendous emotional and moral undertaking.
It is challenging and intensely personal. We had 2 of our adult Israeli grandchildren for the 2nd seder last night. In our discussion, we shared how we all felt so much pain for EVERYONE, both sides of the border. And I said that I felt that it could even be a "cheek" for me to speak so passionately. I live in comfortable, (reasonably) safe Toronto.
My feeling is that everyone has the right, indeed the obligation, to participate in this deeply important conversation. It's wonderful that you spoke with your grandchildren at the seder. That's what the seder is for, don't you think? At the protests at the most elite universities in the U.S. some people in safe places like New York and Boston are holding up signs that say "go back to Poland." All this under the cloud of mass starvation. Let's keep talking.
Remembrance is a gift when it helps us remain humane, as you illustrate. Thanks for this.
Your phrase “remain human” is chilling. It reminds me that we can’t take that for granted.
Very beautiful.
Thank you, Peg. I think this was the most difficult piece I've written since the Rosh Hashanah d'var Torah I offered after 9/11. I really had to dig deep.
I wish I could have shared this at one of our seders this year.
Thanks, Don. I pondered the timing issue but felt I had to stay within the constraints of my Substack schedule. If you have access to a newsletter at a synagogue or something like that, please feel free to reprint it.