Holding Onto Our Humanity
The only way to find a solution is to denounce hate when everything is unfathomable.
I don’t need to repeat the news to you.
There have been so many voices about Hamas’s coordinated terror attacks on Israel last weekend and the ongoing war. Since last weekend, we’ve watched Gaza light up with bombs and Israel calling on an evacuation of 1.1 million Gazans who have nowhere to go. The situation changes hour by hour, and by the time you read this, something has likely shifted that I’m not accounting for.
I don’t want to add to the noise, but I can’t look away. My heart continues to break for the families and children who were murdered. I’m devastated for friends who have lost loved ones or can’t get in touch with friends and family. The uncertainty of what’s next is unfathomable, and yet I can see the terror and confusion on my friend’s faces as they process the news that their people - those who are so strongly bound by faith - are hurting.
Frankly, even “hurting” isn’t a strong enough word.
I’ve watched the discourse online, just as you have. The double-edged sword of social media is that we can amplify our message rapidly and widely, but it is easy to cause more harm than good.
Maybe that’s why I’ve wanted to support and watch my words closely - not to offend anyone, but more to be authentic and true. Besides, you really don’t need to know what I think about this situation, but I’ll tell you anyway.
I denounce any and all hate directed at a person simply for who they are in the world. That means I have no space for anti-semitism, racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and more. Why? Because hate strips us of our humanity. It makes others less than. it takes away the ability to see another person as a person. It takes away joy.
Murder is inexcusable. And the thing I can’t get over - Hamas decided that they were going to launch this attack on a place of joy. A place where people felt freedom. A place that people could celebrate who they are and the common unity that binds us.
And now that joy has been stolen.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not an expert on geopolitical tensions in this region. I’ve learned from so many this week, from Mandana Dayani, Ikar,
, , Rabbi Steve Leder, and many friends. And yet, in grief, sadness, and shock, I’m encouraged by Rabbi Sharon Brous who so eloquently shared her heart on Instagram this week.I am asking us to dare to hold the humanity, the heartache, the need for security of the Jewish people while also holding the humanity, the dignity, the need for justice of the Palestinian people. For too long, these two have been set up as incompatible, but this is a false binary.
The only liberation will be a shared liberation.
The only justice is justice for all.
- Rabbi Sharon Brous
The situation looks grim, but we have to speak out against injustice, hate, murder, and terrorism. We need to look out for our neighbors, as research shows that rates of antisemitic acts continue to rise here in the U.S. We have to see the humanity in others and drive out hate in these moments.
One Last Thought
Normally I’d end with “Amy’s 3 Thoughts,” but there’s only one that’s on my mind. Monday night, Brendan woke up at 2:30 a.m. and came down to get me. As I put him back to bed, he was “afraid that the bad men would come and kidnap him” like they did in his dream. I have a deeply feeling kid who saw the news and wants to do whatever he can to help the kids in Israel.
And the one thing I know is that if it’s difficult for me to process what’s happening, it’s four times more difficult for my son.
If you have kids in your life and would love some insight on how to hold space for them at this moment, let me recommend the following:
Dr. Becky Kennedy with Good Inside had this to say on Instagram.
- shared her thoughts on Substack.
Let them know that other kids are asking the same questions - you can see some responses on Kveller’s Instagram page.
This conversation on grief between Marisa Renee Lee and host She Pivots host Emily Tisch Sussman.
ICYMI
And More with Amy Kugler Episodes
Ep. 5: The Superpower of Being an Advocate with Sehreen Noor Ali - what a great conversation this week about how we show up for our children!
Bring BEAM to Moms Nationwide
We’re about to gear up for two big partnership announcements soon! I can’t wait to share them with you. In the meantime, you can still support our work to change the narrative of motherhood, one shared experience at a time. BEAM’s founding member campaign ends 10/31!
Sending love and light, my friends.
