The world has been heavy.
Like everyone watching the horrific events unfold in Israel and Gaza these past few weeks, I have been shocked and overwhelmed by the devastation, the violence, and the immense loss of life. As an American Jew on social media, I have also been struck by the vast diversity of opinions being shared about the state of Israel from the global community, within American progressive politics, within my own Jewish community, and even within my own Jewish family. It is overwhelming. It becomes more overwhelming as we see in real time how these events in the Middle East are fueling explosive incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia around the world and right here in the US.
Things that used to feel comfortable and safe, like having a mezuzah on our door, or dropping our daughter off at a Jewish preschool, now feel very vulnerable. While these extreme examples of Jewish hate I am seeing all over the world are new experiences to me in my lifetime, the feelings evoked from them are deeply etched into my DNA and my mitochondria from generations and generations of my ancestors fleeing persecution for being Jewish. It's been a lot to bear and to continue to process, and I am working to calm and regulate my nervous system through it all.
When things in the world get this overwhelming, I try to bring my focus back to my own small local community here, and the ripples of healing I can start. Continuing to hold a healing, safe, and welcoming space for expecting and new parents and their children. Calming my patient's nervous systems, one person at a time. Reaching out to people I love. Bringing friends and loved ones together to connect in real life, to discuss these complicated things face to face rather than behind the anonymity of our screens. Making soup. Going for walks. Singing and dancing with my beautiful children.
The more peace and compassion we can bring to our little corner of the world the better. Every little bit counts right now.
Sending love and peace,
Dr. Lizzie