Hello, reader. How are you doing? I wanted to mention some middle eastern politics to you. Free Palestine.
Not sure I’ve said it here, or that saying it matters at all. Will I convince a Zionist, bother someone helpfully, or in any way contribute to a better world by making sure you know I believe in a free Palestine? Not sure!
But if you wondered how me and Ming feel, we are anarchists. I don’t want borders at all. I prefer a no state solution.
What if we cared about each other, fed each other, shared resources, didn’t kill anyone, and treated all children everywhere as our own? Wild ideas.
Judaism
Ming is Jewish-pagan, and we are members of the local big tent shul. Our dear Rabbi there is criticized for speaking in favor of a cease fire. Our Rabbi is a mother, and she is an extraordinarily smart person. I think she’s the best thing to ever happen to that synagogue.
Temple Beth Israel feels way more conservative than I’ve ever been in my life. But Ming and I believe in love. We don’t want to save our love just for other anarchists and radicals like us. We want to try loving all sorts of people.
When I go to Shabbat service, I’m looking for a grounded feeling of acceptance and community. The music is good, and I like to learn about Jewish mythology. I like feeling situated in the holidays, at home in the wheel of the year as felt in a Jewish way. I want to connect with the other people. Sometimes I dance.
But I’m not super comfortable as an outsider. Ming and I are both interfaith, but I’ve never been Jewish like Ming is. The other congregants don’t seem like poor, radical people like me. They seem to have more resources; they seem stable in a way I’ve never been.
But maybe that’s just costuming. We don’t really know another person’s life.
questions for discussion
- Do you like to spend time in places that are not comfortable for you?
- Who do you want to love?
- Who has your loyalty?
- Is it meaningful, to announce a stance like Free Palestine?
- Why say anything at all?
sing it
I can dance it–I can sing it. Grateful our favorite band out of Albuquerque has a new song: Free Palestine (on Fire) by Eileen and the In-Betweens. Content warning: immolation.
