You are my family

Thank you, all

It’s been a very tough few days. Between being upset about that conversation with my friend, some difficult other things, and possibly incompetent roofers making a debris covered mess of the sidewalk and steps outside my apartment (same place the ceiling fell in - twice!) I’ve had a lot of stress.

My last post got 228 views, a new paid subscriber and a new free subscriber! I’m so grateful for all your subscriptions, whether paid or free. You really make a difference to me. You’re my community.

Both Jewish and non-Jewish friends have reached out in the last few days as I’ve been sad or upset. With friends like these… who needs the haters? I only hope to meet more of you in person, especially in Israel!

Tomorrow I’m going to be giving a presentation to high school students about Yale, along with other teachers who are presenting on their schools. I graduated a long time ago, but I was introduced to three amazing young people who are current students or recent graduates by my classmates from the 1990’s. It’s just heartwarming to connect with these young people, who are now about the age their parents and I were when we were all at Yale.

I feel so afraid a lot of the time, and quite alone. Then I realize I’m not alone, and I have all of you. A new generation of leaders is springing up, and many of them are proud Jews or proud allies. I believe in these young people. They are not the stereotype of Gen Z. They are deep thinkers, passionate believers, and the kinds of kids I would have wanted.

It made me sad for a bit when I thought about how I’ll never have children of my own now. I never wanted them, and it’s easier to have a daughter who is a cat (especially when you have a mouse problem!) But talking to these young people made me wonder what my own child would have been like. I so admire what mothers, fathers, grandparents and others who raise children do. I’m proud to know so many of you, and to support you in whatever decisions you’ve made about raising kids.

Or cats.

Even dogs.

I’m on my way to the cat shelter and then it’s another day of leaving at 6:30 am for the hour long drive to teach. The best part is that I ride with a brilliant, funny philosophy PhD who studied in Israel, reads the Free Press, and doesn’t get mad at me when I consistently forget which lane I’m supposed to be in. It’s wonderful to have an in person friend. We have fantastic talks about education, life, politics, Israel and the Middle East, just about everything. Since college it’s been hard to find people I really love spending time with, but this is one. Good thing cause we’re stuck in a car together for six hours a week!

So much to be grateful for. Love you, worldwide family. More soon

.Yale at night.