That was great advice! LEV is such a good idea. Living in Israel, I try to follow that advice. If you still understand Hebrew, there are some good Israeli comedians to help you laugh and feel close to home.
When I feel down, I try to listen to something about Judaism. It makes me feel that there is a bigger story than just me, and that there is a history bigger than me, but that as a Jew, I am a part of that history. Maybe try hidabroot.com or read Chabad.org.
Thank you for reading and for sharing these with us! I remember some Hebrew, but I never became totally fluent. I want to continue working on it though.
A whole nation is traumatized when Hamas broke the ceasefire on October 7. Husbands watched their wives being violated, parents watched their babies die, children lost parents and siblings. Soldiers are dying every day. Thousands are in rehabilitation for lost arms and legs. As many as 120,000 people have been displaced —many have returned home and many have not. Houses and property have been burnt to a crisp in the North because of missiles from Lebanon. For many months there were still missiles being lobbed at Tel Aviv. The people in the South have been running to safe rooms for years. There are hostages, dead and alive in Gaza, while their relatives are experiencing a living hell, AND YOU DON’T APPROVE OF OUR JEWISH HUMOUR?
The best way to deal with a rough situation emotionally is to connect to people who have been through the exact same thing. This shows is what works, it also shows us what is really going on, ie is this actually our fault and if so, how and what can we do about it.
Pick up the tanach and read through our national experiences. You will see this is all nothing new. As a people we have been dealing with this exact same bullshit for thousands of years now.
Same bullshit, different perfume.
You arent alone, this is not your fault and this isnt even close to our first rodeo.
Read your heritage and learn from those who came before you. Connect with them and remember the most important fact.
You have an actual, living God that is doing all this because He knows this is what we need to become the truly great people that only we can be.
I usually listen to Spotify and have made my own playlists there from listening to Israel radio. (I found a free Israel radio app after terminating my relationship with the bbc and radio 4 specifically on October 12th.. my music preferences since then have been from the numerous stations available on that app.. and subsequent finds on Spotify.) Opportunely though, just after reading your helpful, healing post, I read ‘A Short Message from the Heart’ by @jodavimusic. Within is a link to his future live concerts and therein the very inspiring official video for ‘I won’t go’ on YouTube.. (I got there in the end!)
I don't think Canadian Sabra is alone in these feelings. It's been tough and the world is not improving-- maybe some baby steps here and there.
You offer wonderful suggestions. I will also add to avoid news and social media, especially at night before bed. We want to be informed but we don't want to overdo it.
Love it mate, I'm ex British Army Scots div, and I have a considerable knowledge of living in Jewish communities. when I was a pup I grew up in SA. We were lucky enough to grow up in a diverse community, that informed my understanding of other religions.
My Jewish friends were among the most balanced and smart people I ever met, and although I was a rascal, they always treated me well, and at times I took advantage of their good nature, they were always steadfast in their protection of me. The street I grew up in had a synagogue. I remember the Rabbi would when he was there come out and demand we played in the synagogue courtyard as he was concerned we might get run over by a car, in those days it was unlikely, however, he never took no for an answer.
Later in life, I looked back on all these small mercies and in the relationships I formed with my Jewish classmates, made me think I should have converted to Judaism as they all were highly balanced smart and were not as distracted as a youngster as I was.
Possibly in my case it was not religious centric, however I was a demon of adventure, and a loose cannon at times, although I carried a moral value set more infantile, and though not worldly wise converged with my Jewish friend's idealism, it was not a one-way street, as I grew older as I became more proficient at fighting through my training in the local boxing club and defended some of Jewish friends from idiots that thought they could take advantage of their good nature.
But in the aftermath of October 7, as protests grew, as I saw more and more venom throughout the world…more awful, horrific comments online, I was literally sick to my stomach and having anxiety attacks all the time. I thought to myself, I can’t change any of this, but what CAN I actually do to make a difference? I poured the anger and sadness into a fundraiser at my synagogue for our displaced family in Israel, those who are evacuated from the south and the north. Anytime I felt hopeless, I planned the event. That was something I actually could be a part of in making a difference to those who are suffering. And any time an obstacle was hit, G*d delivered to make it possible. We raised several thousand dollars for our Israeli family that night, and brought our community together even more than we were before.
Of course! Our funds raised went to benefit IsraAid, and the work being done to support internally displaced families. We held it at our synagogue in New Orleans, but it was open to the entire Jewish community here.
I am not Jewish but I support you. I equated the Hamas terrorists to Orcs in Lord of the rings etc. A friend said he didn’t like how Israel took the Palestinian land and then said he didn’t know any Jews. I said how would you know. Response was blink blink.
I had to answer Other because it is all of the above, plus writing vociferously calling out Jew Haters all day long. And plunging further into my active religious life. I just ordered tefillin from Israel which I am excited to get. The main thing is to get up in Jew Haters faces and make it clear we are not scared of them and in fact are coming for them harder than they can ever conceive of attacking us.
Just another keyboard warrior hiding behind a fake identity. Thanks for validating our need for this space and the nation of Israel to exist and be strong.
I really loved reading this because I am feeling similar these days. My secret pleasure is advice columns and Dear Golda felt so good to read.
I love the advice of L.E.V to help us through this Jewish storm of 2024.
Laugh, Exercise, Volunteer
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you.
Please check out Jewish Food Hero as well if you haven't found it yet. Great recipes!
https://jewishfoodhero.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_content=comment_metadata
Thank you! Your comment strengthens me!
That was great advice! LEV is such a good idea. Living in Israel, I try to follow that advice. If you still understand Hebrew, there are some good Israeli comedians to help you laugh and feel close to home.
When I feel down, I try to listen to something about Judaism. It makes me feel that there is a bigger story than just me, and that there is a history bigger than me, but that as a Jew, I am a part of that history. Maybe try hidabroot.com or read Chabad.org.
בהצלחה!
Thank you for reading and for sharing these with us! I remember some Hebrew, but I never became totally fluent. I want to continue working on it though.
And my other advice? Read my Substack! 😂
A whole nation is traumatized when Hamas broke the ceasefire on October 7. Husbands watched their wives being violated, parents watched their babies die, children lost parents and siblings. Soldiers are dying every day. Thousands are in rehabilitation for lost arms and legs. As many as 120,000 people have been displaced —many have returned home and many have not. Houses and property have been burnt to a crisp in the North because of missiles from Lebanon. For many months there were still missiles being lobbed at Tel Aviv. The people in the South have been running to safe rooms for years. There are hostages, dead and alive in Gaza, while their relatives are experiencing a living hell, AND YOU DON’T APPROVE OF OUR JEWISH HUMOUR?
Tough beans.
You think filming a genocide is humour? Learn some history, find out the facts,. You have been brainwashed by Zionists and Israeli propaganda.
The best way to deal with a rough situation emotionally is to connect to people who have been through the exact same thing. This shows is what works, it also shows us what is really going on, ie is this actually our fault and if so, how and what can we do about it.
Pick up the tanach and read through our national experiences. You will see this is all nothing new. As a people we have been dealing with this exact same bullshit for thousands of years now.
Same bullshit, different perfume.
You arent alone, this is not your fault and this isnt even close to our first rodeo.
Read your heritage and learn from those who came before you. Connect with them and remember the most important fact.
You have an actual, living God that is doing all this because He knows this is what we need to become the truly great people that only we can be.
You got this.
Also Music is a great mood lifter and healer.. with or without dancing!
Great suggestion. Can you link a song from YouTube for the squad that lifts you up?
I usually listen to Spotify and have made my own playlists there from listening to Israel radio. (I found a free Israel radio app after terminating my relationship with the bbc and radio 4 specifically on October 12th.. my music preferences since then have been from the numerous stations available on that app.. and subsequent finds on Spotify.) Opportunely though, just after reading your helpful, healing post, I read ‘A Short Message from the Heart’ by @jodavimusic. Within is a link to his future live concerts and therein the very inspiring official video for ‘I won’t go’ on YouTube.. (I got there in the end!)
https://youtu.be/RqpZTOC4-6A
That’s what made me think to add music (and optional dancing) to your suggestions. Hello serendipity!
I don't think Canadian Sabra is alone in these feelings. It's been tough and the world is not improving-- maybe some baby steps here and there.
You offer wonderful suggestions. I will also add to avoid news and social media, especially at night before bed. We want to be informed but we don't want to overdo it.
That is a great suggestion. Digital detoxes from time to time are always a great idea.
Love it mate, I'm ex British Army Scots div, and I have a considerable knowledge of living in Jewish communities. when I was a pup I grew up in SA. We were lucky enough to grow up in a diverse community, that informed my understanding of other religions.
My Jewish friends were among the most balanced and smart people I ever met, and although I was a rascal, they always treated me well, and at times I took advantage of their good nature, they were always steadfast in their protection of me. The street I grew up in had a synagogue. I remember the Rabbi would when he was there come out and demand we played in the synagogue courtyard as he was concerned we might get run over by a car, in those days it was unlikely, however, he never took no for an answer.
Later in life, I looked back on all these small mercies and in the relationships I formed with my Jewish classmates, made me think I should have converted to Judaism as they all were highly balanced smart and were not as distracted as a youngster as I was.
Possibly in my case it was not religious centric, however I was a demon of adventure, and a loose cannon at times, although I carried a moral value set more infantile, and though not worldly wise converged with my Jewish friend's idealism, it was not a one-way street, as I grew older as I became more proficient at fighting through my training in the local boxing club and defended some of Jewish friends from idiots that thought they could take advantage of their good nature.
Exercise is essential for me at all times.
But in the aftermath of October 7, as protests grew, as I saw more and more venom throughout the world…more awful, horrific comments online, I was literally sick to my stomach and having anxiety attacks all the time. I thought to myself, I can’t change any of this, but what CAN I actually do to make a difference? I poured the anger and sadness into a fundraiser at my synagogue for our displaced family in Israel, those who are evacuated from the south and the north. Anytime I felt hopeless, I planned the event. That was something I actually could be a part of in making a difference to those who are suffering. And any time an obstacle was hit, G*d delivered to make it possible. We raised several thousand dollars for our Israeli family that night, and brought our community together even more than we were before.
Hey Shifra, that’s wonderful. Thank you for sharing that everyone. Did you raise on behalf of organization? If so, can you share which one?
Of course! Our funds raised went to benefit IsraAid, and the work being done to support internally displaced families. We held it at our synagogue in New Orleans, but it was open to the entire Jewish community here.
The families from Northern Israel and the kibbutzim near the Gaza Strip are not Israelis?
Don’t feed the trolls. The fact that we are attracting them and making them angry means we’re doing something right.
Laughter is the best medicine? It is for me. Thanks for the Alex link!
I am not Jewish but I support you. I equated the Hamas terrorists to Orcs in Lord of the rings etc. A friend said he didn’t like how Israel took the Palestinian land and then said he didn’t know any Jews. I said how would you know. Response was blink blink.
I had to answer Other because it is all of the above, plus writing vociferously calling out Jew Haters all day long. And plunging further into my active religious life. I just ordered tefillin from Israel which I am excited to get. The main thing is to get up in Jew Haters faces and make it clear we are not scared of them and in fact are coming for them harder than they can ever conceive of attacking us.
Just another keyboard warrior hiding behind a fake identity. Thanks for validating our need for this space and the nation of Israel to exist and be strong.