I keep writing and re-writing the intro for this week, just as I refresh the news. Everything that is happening, the escalation of further violence, political factions forming in our own communities and online, the sheer volume of lives lost too soon — it is unreal. As an American Jewish woman, it has felt extremely far away and also way too close to home.
Social media posts and conversations with family and friends make me feel sad/loved/angry/hurt/seen/judgmental/fill-in-the-blank. But the images online — oh God, the photos — they make me physically ill. I can’t shake one in particular of an abandoned stroller on a street corner in southern Israel.
Whether you know people in Israel or Gaza whose lives who were lost or closely impacted or not, this is a devastating time for humanity. The journey ahead feels long and scary. But I hope we remember our common values, our common hope to end the cycle of violence.
My best friend Margie, who is a Disciples of Christ minister, wrote this poem for a friend a few years ago. It resonates now:
As I promised last week, at the bottom of this newsletter I’ve included a list of organizations in Israel and Gaza currently accepting donations. My goal is to offer opportunities to direct money and aid to the individuals and communities most gutted by this awful conflict.
This week we’re also featuring guest links from
. She’s the writer behind , sharing her musings on life as a thirty-something in New York along with her favorite things each week.Sarah’s recent newsletter, a cold and broken hallelujah, is a beautiful reflection on the shock waves we’re feeling. We’re so grateful she’s joining us on platonic love today.
Sarah’s Links:
As an American Jew, the last week has been tough. I am (like many, I think!) someone who believes in both sovereignty and rights for Palestinians and Israel’s right to exist. I consider myself a pacifist and desperately wish there was a solution that wasn’t war. I’ve been seeing a lot on social media about the loudness of silence (especially when it comes to this particular topic), and it’s got me thinking about this famous poem. Though it was written about the Holocaust, it feels powerfully — and scarily — relevant now.
One of the things I respect most about Taylor Swift (I am a super Swiftie!) is her work ethic. The woman works HARD, thinking through every tiny detail of her albums, her image, her tour. People often accuse her of being cold or calculated, disingenuous; even so I loved this piece by
celebrating Swift’s love of work.1When I was in college, I took a sociology class in which I learned the concept of collective effervescence: when a community simultaneously communicates the same thought or participates in the same action. Generally, it’s associated with religion, but it can also explain everyday moments, like the feeling you get when you’re at a giant stadium show and the entire crowd sings the chorus together. It’s a sensation I love, and a big part of the reason I joined a choir here in NYC. This last week, someone sent me this video of 3,000 people singing Tal Bachman’s “She’s So High” and MAN did it get me in my CE feels. I immediately sent it to multiple friends.
Over the last year, I’ve become a huge fan of Noah Kahan.2 He’s incredibly vocal about his struggles with mental health, and I really loved this essay he penned that talks about therapy, medication, and the power of music. (Aliza: Me too! I learned recently he lives in my tiny town outside Boston — so I’m on the lookout.)
I really loved Jean Kwok’s Searching for Sylvie Lee and was thrilled to see she published a new book last week. The Leftover Woman is about two mothers bound by their emotional connection to the same child; Kwok says it’s her most personal novel yet. As someone who is hard at work on her own personal novel, I can’t wait to read it and soak up all her brilliance.
Subscribe to Sarah’s newsletter below for more brilliance from her!
Aliza’s Links:
A surprisingly poignant opening monologue from Pete Davidson on Saturday night that captures the heaviness we’re all feeling. (Also, this, if you need a laugh.)
The first time I read a book of essays by
, I was on a backpacking trip with Margie (she of the poem!) riding out a bad storm from a deserted backcountry cabin in the North Cascades. Luckily, Marge had, of course, packed an already dog-eared copy of the new book Bad Feminist in her pack. I’ve since gone on to read nearly everything Gay’s written, heard her speak at multiple book events,3 and subscribed to her newsletter, 4 Last week, Gay released a new book, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People's Business, a collection of her best nonfiction pieces from the past ten years that I’m eager to dive into.101 of the best documentaries, crowd-sourced from Maybe Baby
readers. (Thank you,
!)The data behind a simple way to reduce sexism in kids is fascinating. It’s already something I’m hyper-aware of with a one-year-old — but this research revealed so much I’d never thought of before.5
Aja’s Links:
A bright spot amidst such a dark week was, somewhat surprisingly, sharing OOTDs in a group text. I sent a pic from a work event last week to Aliza, Ariel, and Lacey (to show them my new pants from COS) which turned into everyone sharing their outfits and hyping each other up. (Aliza: It was the best.)
These pants — currently on sale for $49 and very similar to the ones I just mentioned — are also incredible.
Roasting your chickpeas in salad dressing is a genius cooking trick.
NPR curated reader advice on how to have long-lasting relationships (of all kinds!), and the answers are not only helpful but a balm to read.
The New Yorker profiled Kwame Onwuachi, celebrity chef, occasional actor, and proprietor of Tatiana, the best restaurant in New York according to the New York Times.
Ways to help those suffering in Israel and Gaza:
Support Kibbutz Nir Oz is a crowdfunded campaign for one of the southern towns most heavily devastated by Hamas’ brutal attacks on civilian homes and neighborhoods.
Medical Aid for Palestinians is a UK-based organization that works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. They provide immediate medical aid to those in great need while developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system.
The Jewish Agency's Fund for the Victims of Terror offers assistance to individuals and families in Israel who suffer hardship as a result of a terror attack or other national crisis.
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund was founded by a group of U.S.-based humanitarians in 1992 and provides free medical care to thousands of injured and ill children yearly who lack local access to care within the local health care system.
Acknowledging we’re still deep in the midst of seeing what might unfold in Israel and Gaza, and praying that there might be some better — far less violent and destructive — way on the other side, if you know of other opportunities we should share, please let us know.
Platonic Love is an entirely reader-supported, affiliate-free publication. Your support means so much to us, and we’d love to hear from you in the comments: reactions, feedback, questions? Sending love to you this week. Thanks for being on the journey with us. - Aliza & Aja
And why it might just be the thing attracting Taylor to Travis Kelce (who also loves the grind!)
I know every single word to his album Stick Season.
Where we also first read
’s beautiful story. ICYMI: We interviewed Andriana last week to wrap up the body image series.Credit to
for originally linking this article in her newsletter, .