My heart is heavy — with concerns about our western NC neighbors suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene (donation links below); and with the marking of one year since Hamas attacked Israel, followed immediately by the Israel military’s campaign of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Each life, a universe.
Today I’ll share a dispatch from the IfNotNowWhen Movement. IfNotNow is a “movement of American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis.”
The following art and words are from IfNotNow:
Today is October 7. You don’t have to be alone today. In mourning, in fear, in anger, in determination — whatever we are experiencing today, it’s vital that we experience it together.
Jewish tradition teaches us that every life saved is an entire universe saved; every life destroyed, an entire universe destroyed.
Together we grieve for the over 1,100 Israelis killed in the Hamas-led attack one year ago. Together we ache for those taken hostage during the attacks and those who remain in captivity, and we hold the anguish of their loved ones. Together we grieve for the over 42,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza and the hundreds killed in the West Bank by the Israeli military over the last year — knowing that tens of thousands more remain uncounted and many more face death in the weeks and months to come. Together we ache and hold the anguish of their loved ones, too. Together we grieve the over 1,000 Lebanese civilians who have already been killed in the Israeli military’s bombings and invasion.
Our tears are abundant enough, and our hearts are big enough, to grieve for every life taken — every universe destroyed — whether Israeli, Palestinian, or Lebanese.
Alongside our powerful grief, we come together to make a commitment that is just as powerful. Commitment to building a world beyond violence and oppression. Commitment to building the conditions under which another October 7 would be inconceivable, another Gaza genocide unthinkable, another regional war threatening to destroy millions of lives — of universes — unimaginable.
It didn’t have to be this way. It still doesn’t.
October 7 is not where the story begins or ends. The pain we feel today has spanned generations. We reject the lie that decades of occupation, apartheid, and siege subjugating Palestinians will ever keep Jews or Israelis safe. Indeed, Palestinian and Jewish safety are deeply intertwined.
In order to truly honor those whose lives were stolen from their loved ones and communities, those universes who were destroyed, we must fight for the living — for those universes who remain with us. For a permanent ceasefire. For freedom for all held captive. For an end to our government’s relentless shipments of bombs and machines of death. For justice, equality, and a thriving future for all Israelis, all Palestinians, and everyone in the region.
If you aren’t able to join in person, follow along on our Instagram @ifnotnoworg to see livestreams and updates from the gatherings.
Mourn the dead. Fight for the living. Not another bomb. Free them all.
In community,
The IfNotNow team
And as we center the people directly affected, I’d also like to share the following information from the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University.
by Sophia Stamatopoulou-Robbins, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University,Brown University, October 7, 2024. Footnotes and full report available to read and download here.
IfNotNow Movement- organizing for equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis
Palestine Legal- supporting legal counsel for anti-genocide activists in the U.S. who are facing harassment / state silencing
And as promised -
Mutual Aid for Hurricane Helene recovery in western NC—
Most folks in and around Asheville still don’t have electricity or water. Cadaver-locating dogs are being helicoptered in. These folks live 300 miles from the nearest coastline.
