If you saw that heart wrenching (but also incredibly uplifting) picture of Rachel Goldberg — who, after everything she has been through, came halfway around the world on 36 hours notice to hold Orna Neutra’s hand this morning, know this: THOSE are the people - the righteous walking among us - whose side you are on. I am proud to be on that side in all of this, and grateful to you for giving our side such an eloquent voice. I’m sorry that it has put you on the receiving end of so much ugliness.
Your writing is exquisitely painful and excruciatingly true. I am the daughter of Holocaust survivors who escaped Vienna in 1938, never to see their parents again. I am writing a novel based on my legacy and wondering how badly I will be attacked when it’s published. I was at your store with my friend. Blair Glaser, and was overjoyed to see how many of us were there. The attacks on you are attacks on us all. I thank you for standing tall.
I am applying for Austrian citizenship as a descendant of murdered Jews. As bizarre as it seems, I’m just not sure this country will be safe for me or my family.
My grandfather didn’t want my mother to leave. This will all blow over, he insisted.
He and all my grandparents, aunts and uncles were murdered.
As a daughter of Holocaust survivors, my story is very similar. What scares me now is that what we know through personal experience the younger generation has only heard more indirectly. Which means they are less prepared. Which means they have to learn all over again. Never again doesn't have quite the staying power I thought it had.
Please read my substack - specifically this post - https://justtellingyou.substack.com/p/sitting-duck and a few others that share this perspective. I'm also the daughter and granddaughter of survivors. Hundreds of family members murdered, simply for being Jewish.
Oh Zibby. Such a raw and profound piece. I am afraid, too. I got off Twitter because of the antisemitic people saying the most horrible things to me. Only community and standing together helps. I stand with you. We all do here.
Every word, Zibby. Every word. So chillingly true and resonant. Here's what I can't wrap my mind around: why is it that when it comes to Jews, there's a question of our RIGHT TO EXIST? Why is that a norm? Does any other group on the planet get questioned for that? I struggle with this every day. My uncle from Israel, who has worked for peace all his life, said on October 7th, "We woke up." He said, "They don't want peace. They just want to destroy us. We've been living in a dreamworld." Every day it feels more and more that we've been living in a dreamworld here in America, too. You are such a strong and important voice -- please keep being so clear and inspiring others to do the same
Zibby, I can't tell you how true your words are for me. Yes to all of it. I'm so sorry you continue to feel these betrayals. I do too. It's shocking, and yet like you said I'm not as rattled these days. That hard exterior continues to build, but along with it I've gotten bolder and stronger in my resolve and in my actions to speak out and take action. That is how I choose to fight this upside down world right now. I'm doubling down on anything and everything in my Jewish world. I'm learning who my allies are and I'm saying bye to those who aren't. I used to care so much how people think of me, and now all I want them to think about me is "proud Zionist and proud Jew."
I want to thank you for all you are doing. The incredible book you've released, the stories you collected, the events and pro-Israel messaging you continue to participate in, and even the events and choices you make to not engage or disengage from things/people/events who are not in our best interests - it all takes courage and you my friend have a lot of it. You are a role model to so many of us. Thank you for using your platform and speaking aloud. Lots of hugs to you. I hope to meet you in person one day.
I am sad and mad for you at the same time. I appreciate your voice and heartbreaking honesty.
I stand with Israel as I always have, raised in a Protestant household that held the country in high esteem and support. It is the holy land.
My daughter converted a few years ago because she had long had interest and found a beautiful community in Denver and then later married a woman who has a Jewish father. I have watched she and her wife lose friends over their support of Israel, further maddening to see their gay friends support terrorists who would kill them for being gay without question. It infuriates me.
I proudly say I am here in part because a polish Jew came to Galveston island in early 1800s in then still Mexico and married a woman in a pre Texas settlement. All my life a thread of Jewish ancestry has run through it. I have ordered and given away 10 On Being Jewish Now. I will continue to speak up
I left you this comment on IG: I’m not Jewish but if a Zionist is someone who supports the right for Israel to have a recognized and protected state then I’m a Zionist too! I can’t imagine the hurt and terror you’ve experienced. I’m having a hard time reconciling how “educated” people can be so historically wrong and hateful. You are loved, valued, appreciated and admired, and I stand with you Zibby. xoxox, 1010ParkPlace
Fantastically expressed. Have you seen the front page of the NY Times the other day with the photo of the Palestinian boy without arms? Why was there no photo beside it of a gaunt and bloodied hostage or a murdered and raped Israeli girl? Well, we won’t see the latter because Israeli press has the decency to respect the families and not share those. The press has drunk the KoolAid, so to speak, and Zionist voices are silenced. But Jewish writers are fighting back, finding venues where they can be heard. (As you are doing) The answer, I think, is confrontation with protesters demanding answers to questions that will reveal to them their level of ignorance. Maybe that is a dream.
One thing I’ve done is replaced the word “antisemitism” with “racism.” The former somehow lets people off the hook, it doesn’t have the ring of the full truth. Yes there are Jews who are not ethnically Jewish, but by and large we are a group defined by genetics. We are a race. And just the way “Zionist” is a code word, a free pass to call for violence against Jews in this warped society we now live in , antisemitism is a shield. It should not be a separate category from any other racism—inherent in using a separate word is the precise uniqueness of hating Jews. We are other, different, a class of people who are not entitled to the same rights as others, including calling racism against us “racism.” So that’s one small change I’ve made. There is a darkness and fear every day. I live very close to Columbia and can’t wait to move. It’s been a horrific trudge through blind hatred, ignorance, jihad cosplay, shredded hostage posters, virulent posters calling for violence against Jews, etc… we do all feel it, some of us live right near one of its epicenters. You’re not alone. Sending love.
Thank you Zibby. The silence after October 7th from people I had counted as friends was painful. We have to stand strong together. Our people have been here before. In every generation there are those who vow to destroy us. Am Israel Chai!!!
If being a Zionist means supporting a free and independent Jewish state, I too am a raging Zionist.
If you saw that heart wrenching (but also incredibly uplifting) picture of Rachel Goldberg — who, after everything she has been through, came halfway around the world on 36 hours notice to hold Orna Neutra’s hand this morning, know this: THOSE are the people - the righteous walking among us - whose side you are on. I am proud to be on that side in all of this, and grateful to you for giving our side such an eloquent voice. I’m sorry that it has put you on the receiving end of so much ugliness.
Your writing is exquisitely painful and excruciatingly true. I am the daughter of Holocaust survivors who escaped Vienna in 1938, never to see their parents again. I am writing a novel based on my legacy and wondering how badly I will be attacked when it’s published. I was at your store with my friend. Blair Glaser, and was overjoyed to see how many of us were there. The attacks on you are attacks on us all. I thank you for standing tall.
I am applying for Austrian citizenship as a descendant of murdered Jews. As bizarre as it seems, I’m just not sure this country will be safe for me or my family.
My grandfather didn’t want my mother to leave. This will all blow over, he insisted.
He and all my grandparents, aunts and uncles were murdered.
I must have a Plan B.
As a daughter of Holocaust survivors, my story is very similar. What scares me now is that what we know through personal experience the younger generation has only heard more indirectly. Which means they are less prepared. Which means they have to learn all over again. Never again doesn't have quite the staying power I thought it had.
Please read my substack - specifically this post - https://justtellingyou.substack.com/p/sitting-duck and a few others that share this perspective. I'm also the daughter and granddaughter of survivors. Hundreds of family members murdered, simply for being Jewish.
Oh Zibby. Such a raw and profound piece. I am afraid, too. I got off Twitter because of the antisemitic people saying the most horrible things to me. Only community and standing together helps. I stand with you. We all do here.
Every word, Zibby. Every word. So chillingly true and resonant. Here's what I can't wrap my mind around: why is it that when it comes to Jews, there's a question of our RIGHT TO EXIST? Why is that a norm? Does any other group on the planet get questioned for that? I struggle with this every day. My uncle from Israel, who has worked for peace all his life, said on October 7th, "We woke up." He said, "They don't want peace. They just want to destroy us. We've been living in a dreamworld." Every day it feels more and more that we've been living in a dreamworld here in America, too. You are such a strong and important voice -- please keep being so clear and inspiring others to do the same
Zibby, I can't tell you how true your words are for me. Yes to all of it. I'm so sorry you continue to feel these betrayals. I do too. It's shocking, and yet like you said I'm not as rattled these days. That hard exterior continues to build, but along with it I've gotten bolder and stronger in my resolve and in my actions to speak out and take action. That is how I choose to fight this upside down world right now. I'm doubling down on anything and everything in my Jewish world. I'm learning who my allies are and I'm saying bye to those who aren't. I used to care so much how people think of me, and now all I want them to think about me is "proud Zionist and proud Jew."
I want to thank you for all you are doing. The incredible book you've released, the stories you collected, the events and pro-Israel messaging you continue to participate in, and even the events and choices you make to not engage or disengage from things/people/events who are not in our best interests - it all takes courage and you my friend have a lot of it. You are a role model to so many of us. Thank you for using your platform and speaking aloud. Lots of hugs to you. I hope to meet you in person one day.
I am sad and mad for you at the same time. I appreciate your voice and heartbreaking honesty.
I stand with Israel as I always have, raised in a Protestant household that held the country in high esteem and support. It is the holy land.
My daughter converted a few years ago because she had long had interest and found a beautiful community in Denver and then later married a woman who has a Jewish father. I have watched she and her wife lose friends over their support of Israel, further maddening to see their gay friends support terrorists who would kill them for being gay without question. It infuriates me.
I proudly say I am here in part because a polish Jew came to Galveston island in early 1800s in then still Mexico and married a woman in a pre Texas settlement. All my life a thread of Jewish ancestry has run through it. I have ordered and given away 10 On Being Jewish Now. I will continue to speak up
There are some, I hope many, standing with you.
What a powerful, painful essay. Thank you, Zibby, for all you. We will keep fighting and remain strong in our love of Israel and the Jewish people.
Your writing is a part of your protective shield too. Your voice is clear. Thank you and know many stand with you.
I left you this comment on IG: I’m not Jewish but if a Zionist is someone who supports the right for Israel to have a recognized and protected state then I’m a Zionist too! I can’t imagine the hurt and terror you’ve experienced. I’m having a hard time reconciling how “educated” people can be so historically wrong and hateful. You are loved, valued, appreciated and admired, and I stand with you Zibby. xoxox, 1010ParkPlace
Fantastically expressed. Have you seen the front page of the NY Times the other day with the photo of the Palestinian boy without arms? Why was there no photo beside it of a gaunt and bloodied hostage or a murdered and raped Israeli girl? Well, we won’t see the latter because Israeli press has the decency to respect the families and not share those. The press has drunk the KoolAid, so to speak, and Zionist voices are silenced. But Jewish writers are fighting back, finding venues where they can be heard. (As you are doing) The answer, I think, is confrontation with protesters demanding answers to questions that will reveal to them their level of ignorance. Maybe that is a dream.
You articulated what so many of us fear. Thanks for your powerfully brave words.
One thing I’ve done is replaced the word “antisemitism” with “racism.” The former somehow lets people off the hook, it doesn’t have the ring of the full truth. Yes there are Jews who are not ethnically Jewish, but by and large we are a group defined by genetics. We are a race. And just the way “Zionist” is a code word, a free pass to call for violence against Jews in this warped society we now live in , antisemitism is a shield. It should not be a separate category from any other racism—inherent in using a separate word is the precise uniqueness of hating Jews. We are other, different, a class of people who are not entitled to the same rights as others, including calling racism against us “racism.” So that’s one small change I’ve made. There is a darkness and fear every day. I live very close to Columbia and can’t wait to move. It’s been a horrific trudge through blind hatred, ignorance, jihad cosplay, shredded hostage posters, virulent posters calling for violence against Jews, etc… we do all feel it, some of us live right near one of its epicenters. You’re not alone. Sending love.
When the Jewish people forget who we are, G-d will always ensure he finds people to remind us.
Wow. That is powerful. Thank you.
Thank you Zibby. The silence after October 7th from people I had counted as friends was painful. We have to stand strong together. Our people have been here before. In every generation there are those who vow to destroy us. Am Israel Chai!!!