This line, from Erica Bauermeister’s recent novel No Two Persons, (which I loved) landed on me like an explosion. Every day since October 7,  bombs, gunfire, and their terrifying aftermath have consumed my thoughts.

 For the last three years, I have found inspiring lines in literature and written about them as they applied to my life… my family, my career, my writing. I felt prompted to write carefully about something political only twice: the Covid-19 pandemic and the reversal of Roe v Wade.

Now, although I never imagined I would, I am compelled to write about what’s going on in the Middle East — not as a Jew, but as a human.

Where is the world?

I don’t understand why the world is not stepping up to support Jews who have historically stood up for other minority groups. I read something so frighteningly true the other day and it needs repeating. “We stood up for the LGBTQ community because ‘love is love,’ and we are LGBTQ. We stood up for women because ‘women’s rights are human rights,’ and we are women. We stood up for immigrants because ‘families belong together,’ and we are immigrants. We stood up for the black community because ‘black lives matter,’ and we are black. Now, we stand alone because we are Jews.”

Despite Jews’ longstanding support for civil and equal rights, antisemitism is surging worldwide.

And yet, you will not see Jews celebrating the deaths in Gaza. In fact, many are in favor of a ceasefire. But there are thousands and thousands of comments on social media celebrating the deaths of Jews. Where is the support from other minority groups? Do Jews not count because they are Jews? It’s almost impossible to imagine the truth in the answer to that question. But here we are.

See Something Say Something

What does anyone do when life lands on them in a way they don’t expect and can’t understand? The line in the book comes from an emotionally and physically paralyzed character who lost his wife to cancer. He doesn’t know how to live with the immeasurable loss. With the ongoing war, hostages, and senseless loss of life, I don’t know how Israelis are moving through their days. I find it difficult to get through my days, but I see many social media posts of IDF soldiers, civilians, and clergy singing and dancing and spreading messages of light, love, and support. 

Yesterday morning, I watched my niece, a news correspondent for Israel’s i24 news, interview Shira Argaman. Argaman, a dancer, content creator and Israeli influencer, choreographed a protest dance to raise awareness of the hostages in Gaza. The dance is a powerful mix of music and movements inspired by sign language. Help. Uncertainty. Distress. These are just a few of the words Argaman incorporated into the dance with aid from a sign language expert.

Argaman doesn’t take the hate messages she’s receiving personally. She thinks people lack information about the terrorist organization Israel is facing. She aimed to create and spread a message of support and unity amidst the terror and tragedy that landed in Israel (click here to view the full interview).         

That’s what Jews do, what any attacked minority group should do, when life lands on them—defend, support, celebrate, and create. That’s the way to survive.

Thanks Erica Bauermeister, this is one great line.

If you’d like to read more about No Two Persons, click here.

If you’d like to read about me, click here.