Elissa, thank you. The grief and the guilt (because we're Jews! because we should have seen this coming! because because because) are gutting, but you're absolutely right: we need to move forward. We need to tend to those we love and to ourselves. We need community. We need voices like yours.
I know this isn't the same, but in case it's useful: all three of my children struggled as teens and young adults, sometimes horrifyingly, and I spent weeks and months on high alert, feeling helpless and hopeless. What I've realized is that focusing only on the terrible thing will destroy you. That the terrible thing can exist along with what's good. Along with, not in spite of.
Thank you for the umpteenth time for this community, for your honesty, for the light you hold for all of us.
As an Israeli, this rings so true. I have been overwhelmed with horror, panic, fear, sorrow, betrayal, and so many other emotions and thoughts over the past year, and more, not just since October 7 but since our govt began to betray us with the judicial "reform." And I have also had moments and days of happiness. You have to allow for them and search for them, or you will go mad.
I’m for the most part numb because this is devastating. My 13 year old daughter is a mess today, she’s terrified of Project 2025, among other things. I won’t give up, but this is all so awful.
I think we should have a family meeting too. Tho my kids really just don't want to engage after the initial shock. In 2016, they were little and I wussed out and made my husband tell them. I could hear Jakob wailing out the window as Randy pulled the car out to take them to school. This time I made sure I faced each of them to say what happened. But they are older now. Jake already knew, he hadn't slept. Abby just shrugged because "this is just how it is now." I'm not sure what else I can say to them. We are all just stepping along gingerly.
I know that if I let myself think about it, I lean forward and hunch over like someone has punched me in the heart and I feel that dark heavy feeling like the lead serape the dentist drapes over me for x-rays.
Thank you for all your inspiration and guidance over the past few months. I feel like some Jewish people made a deal with the devil by putting their faith in Trump.
I'm just so disappointed, but I wasn't surprised. Here's the way I look at it: In both 2016 and 2020, polls dramatically understated Trump's level of support. I had no reason to believe that the situation was any difference this year. As well, I think that the antisemitism factor played a part in the election as well. Rightly or wrongly, there was a perception that the Democrats were tiptoeing around the subject because they were afraid to offend The Squad wing of the party. Ultimately, that backfired on them because it surely cost them some Jewish votes, and as the election proved, it didn't help them keep Michigan or any other battleground state.
I know that my views probably are minority views, having said all of the above.
Maybe because of my background, having been born in the USSR and having studied the history of totalitarianism, I cannot see the red wave as the end of the world, or the end of history, or the end of America. Trump is not Stalin. Republicans are not Bolsheviks. Populism is not communism. Democracy is not going to collapse in the US. I am more concerned with the global repercussions of this election. Ukraine may have to negotiate with Russia from the position of weakness. Bibi may be empowered to delay the release of the hostages. On the other hand, Iran may be brought to heel. This is a sensitive moment for Israel and for the world. But its not a political apocalypse.
Elana, thank you for this perspective. I just read Eve Barlow’s post for today in Blacklisted, her Substack page, and she said some similar things—points of view I had never considered. I’ve learned so much in the past few hours, all of it leading me from frantic despair into true curiosity. Thank you again.
I get it. However, if I were a family member of one of the hostages, I might see a glimmer of hope. Many of the accounts I follow on IG are taking DT at his word and I certainly hope they aren’t being given false hope. The bottom line is that the Biden/ Harris team did absolutely nothing to rescue the hostages for an entire year.
I'm sorry, but anyone who takes DT at his word is doing so at their infinite peril. I believe Trump will be horrific for the Jews. There is literally never, ever, ever a list of public enemies due for retribution that doesn't have the Jews on it. Trump will torture Bibi for acknowledging Biden's victory. Half the GOP is isolationist and doesn't even want the U.S. to be involved in overseas wars. He will bow to Putin, withdraw from NATO, throw Ukraine and Israel and U.S. Jews under the bus whenever it's to his personal advantage to do so.
Elissa, thank you so much for this. I've also been frustrated by the blame game and also feel that Kamala did an amazing job. I'm letting myself slowly figure out my personal next steps and they're beginning to take shape focused mostly on the people and communities that will be in the first sentence of the new version of the "First they came for...." poem.
This needs to be a wake up call to Democrats. Trump won by getting votes from so called minorities. Identity politics is limited. Look at the voters and try to realize what the message is. Don’t just go back to rote reactions.
Elissa, thank you. The grief and the guilt (because we're Jews! because we should have seen this coming! because because because) are gutting, but you're absolutely right: we need to move forward. We need to tend to those we love and to ourselves. We need community. We need voices like yours.
I know this isn't the same, but in case it's useful: all three of my children struggled as teens and young adults, sometimes horrifyingly, and I spent weeks and months on high alert, feeling helpless and hopeless. What I've realized is that focusing only on the terrible thing will destroy you. That the terrible thing can exist along with what's good. Along with, not in spite of.
Thank you for the umpteenth time for this community, for your honesty, for the light you hold for all of us.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this. I needed it.
As an Israeli, this rings so true. I have been overwhelmed with horror, panic, fear, sorrow, betrayal, and so many other emotions and thoughts over the past year, and more, not just since October 7 but since our govt began to betray us with the judicial "reform." And I have also had moments and days of happiness. You have to allow for them and search for them, or you will go mad.
I’m for the most part numb because this is devastating. My 13 year old daughter is a mess today, she’s terrified of Project 2025, among other things. I won’t give up, but this is all so awful.
I think we should have a family meeting too. Tho my kids really just don't want to engage after the initial shock. In 2016, they were little and I wussed out and made my husband tell them. I could hear Jakob wailing out the window as Randy pulled the car out to take them to school. This time I made sure I faced each of them to say what happened. But they are older now. Jake already knew, he hadn't slept. Abby just shrugged because "this is just how it is now." I'm not sure what else I can say to them. We are all just stepping along gingerly.
I know that if I let myself think about it, I lean forward and hunch over like someone has punched me in the heart and I feel that dark heavy feeling like the lead serape the dentist drapes over me for x-rays.
You're such a good writer. Send an essay to JUDITH, love.
Thank you for all your inspiration and guidance over the past few months. I feel like some Jewish people made a deal with the devil by putting their faith in Trump.
I'm just so disappointed, but I wasn't surprised. Here's the way I look at it: In both 2016 and 2020, polls dramatically understated Trump's level of support. I had no reason to believe that the situation was any difference this year. As well, I think that the antisemitism factor played a part in the election as well. Rightly or wrongly, there was a perception that the Democrats were tiptoeing around the subject because they were afraid to offend The Squad wing of the party. Ultimately, that backfired on them because it surely cost them some Jewish votes, and as the election proved, it didn't help them keep Michigan or any other battleground state.
I know that my views probably are minority views, having said all of the above.
Your voice is a ritual in my life and this column a safe space. Thank you.
Elissa, this is such a healthy word for all of us today. TY always .
Thank you so much for your voice. I enjoy immensely reading your perspectives. As you’ve repeated often, time will tell us much as things play out.
Maybe because of my background, having been born in the USSR and having studied the history of totalitarianism, I cannot see the red wave as the end of the world, or the end of history, or the end of America. Trump is not Stalin. Republicans are not Bolsheviks. Populism is not communism. Democracy is not going to collapse in the US. I am more concerned with the global repercussions of this election. Ukraine may have to negotiate with Russia from the position of weakness. Bibi may be empowered to delay the release of the hostages. On the other hand, Iran may be brought to heel. This is a sensitive moment for Israel and for the world. But its not a political apocalypse.
I don't agree that it's not a political apocalypse. But time will tell.
Elana, thank you for this perspective. I just read Eve Barlow’s post for today in Blacklisted, her Substack page, and she said some similar things—points of view I had never considered. I’ve learned so much in the past few hours, all of it leading me from frantic despair into true curiosity. Thank you again.
I get it. However, if I were a family member of one of the hostages, I might see a glimmer of hope. Many of the accounts I follow on IG are taking DT at his word and I certainly hope they aren’t being given false hope. The bottom line is that the Biden/ Harris team did absolutely nothing to rescue the hostages for an entire year.
I'm sorry, but anyone who takes DT at his word is doing so at their infinite peril. I believe Trump will be horrific for the Jews. There is literally never, ever, ever a list of public enemies due for retribution that doesn't have the Jews on it. Trump will torture Bibi for acknowledging Biden's victory. Half the GOP is isolationist and doesn't even want the U.S. to be involved in overseas wars. He will bow to Putin, withdraw from NATO, throw Ukraine and Israel and U.S. Jews under the bus whenever it's to his personal advantage to do so.
Highly doubtful but yes time will tell.
Time will tell.
Elissa, thank you so much for this. I've also been frustrated by the blame game and also feel that Kamala did an amazing job. I'm letting myself slowly figure out my personal next steps and they're beginning to take shape focused mostly on the people and communities that will be in the first sentence of the new version of the "First they came for...." poem.
This needs to be a wake up call to Democrats. Trump won by getting votes from so called minorities. Identity politics is limited. Look at the voters and try to realize what the message is. Don’t just go back to rote reactions.