My Jewish Gratitude List Pt. ii

Because there's STILL no mar in this Cheshvan, despite current events...

This week’s post is dedicated to Rose Lubin z”l, a 20-year-old lone soldier from the Atlanta area who served as a border police officer in the Old City of Jerusalem and was stabbed to death this week by a terrorist while defending the Holy City. Rose made aliyah in August 2021 and in March 2022, she drafted to the border police. She defended her southern community on October 7th. She was joyful and loved life and Israel.

“I’m not going to wait for the world to do something great for me. I’m going to do something great for the world.” -Rose Lubin, Bat Mitzvah speech

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Around this time last year, I wrote a Jewish gratitude list that was inspired by a colleague’s social media challenge called #NoMarinthisCheshvan, where she posted one thing she’s grateful for each day of the month of Marcheshvan.

The challenge is named for the month we’re finishing up, Marcheshvan, a month known to be “bitter” (mar) since there are no holidays and it’s when our matriarch, Rachel, died.

Since then, a year has passed, and now the Jewish people are at war. I say the Jewish people because the Jewish nation is in a literal war, and global Jewry is fighting a war against hatred.

Because of recent events, it’s more important than ever to find light in our daily lives. It’s easier said than done while we may feel overworked, overwhelmed, in mourning, and/or stressed while we lose sleep, sob, argue, doom scroll, etc.

That is why I choose gratitude, and this Shabbat, I invite you to think about what it is you’re grateful for in your Jewish life. Or not Jewish! Can’t forget my non-Jewish readers, for whom I hold extra gratitude. Here’s my part two.

1. Jewish books. There’s a book for anything you could possibly be interested in: Holocaust fiction, memoirs of interesting lives, humor, philosophy, tradition, history. Lately, I’ve been reading non-fictional books about partisans during WWII. I’m currently reading The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos by Judy Batalion (what a fitting last name!). It’s obviously not an easy read, but I am inspired by the strength and bravery of these women. It also serves as a reminder that no matter how hopeless these days we’re in may feel, I feel personally lucky to not have lived in Europe during the Holocaust. I like to think I would have had the courage to fight back against the Nazis but I just don’t know. On that happy note, what’s your favorite Jewish book or the last Jewish book you’ve read? Answer in the comments below!

2. Supportive non-Jewish friends. I have had three non-Jewish friends reach out to me during this time asking if I was okay. At the time, I was grateful for their thoughtfulness in asking, but was even more grateful when I posted about it and got so many replies from Jews to the tune of, “I can’t believe you had three non-Jewish friends reach out. I have had zero non-Jewish friends reach out and I am so hurt.” Henry, Mario, and Florent: thank you for supporting Jews at a time when many of us feel like people don’t.

3. WhatsApp. So many Israelis use this app, it’s practically Jewish! As much as I find WhatsApp to be annoying, the support groups I’ve been a part of during this time have been a godsend. Or a Metasend? It’s how I’ve been learning of rallies and events and volunteer opportunities. It’s where I hear of local antisemitic incidents before they’re on the news. It’s where I go to vent to strangers who listen. I can’t wait for this war to be over just so I can leave these groups, though. It’s too many notifications. (Dark humor. Joke. Chill.)

4. My work. Aside from doing amazing work like providing educators with resources to teach their learners about Israel and antisemitism and being a support system for educators nationwide, my organization has been so supportive during this time. I can’t imagine working for a non-Jewish company right now. I hear stories from friends of lack of support from their places of work. But what does my work do? Set up spaces to talk, have a good cry, learn, pray. Tell me, “Hey, I know it’s a rough time right now. Take all the time you need.” Charter a bus to a rally. It’s been busy but incredibly supportive, and for that I am thankful. We also have a scholar in residence who inspired the No Mar in this Cheshvan challenge, and I actually have a call with her today to help answer some of my questions related to Talmud and war.

5. Jews connecting to their Judaism. There’s nothing I love more than people connecting to their Judaism and going deeper. I think I was a rabbi or a naggy grandmother in my past life. It makes my day when someone texts me and asks how they can be more connected, what Judaism says about a certain topic, or what organizations I recommend they join. This doesn’t happen too often, so when it does, it feels special and important. Like the antisemites lose because they fail to realize they’re only making our Judaism stronger. In fact, there’s a global tefillin shortage because so many Jews are returning to their faith. We love to hear it!

6. Bonus: Supportive Jewish friends. You think I was going to mention non-Jewish friends and NOT mention Jewish friends? Get outta here! Just kidding, please stay. The beauty of this dark time is the unity I’ve experienced within our resilient community. So I’d like to acknowledge those whose friendships have only strengthened during this war. Whether you’ve sent memes or articles, vented, let me vent, hosted me for Shabbat, answered questions, or stood beside me at a rally, just know I’m grateful for you. I hope you feel equally supported.

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Shabbat Prompt ✍️

I want to know what YOU are grateful for in your Jewish life. It could be anything. Let’s hear it. Comment below, Shabbat babes.

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Further Reading

The Ethiopian Jewish holiday, Sigd, is on Sunday! Read all about it in my interview with Ethiopian Israeli chef Beejhy Barhany here!

Let there be peace not just in the Middle East, but in the whole world.

xx Miranda