Essays, notes, poems, and prayers
Writing
Most of this started as a Facebook post and got a second life here. Every piece carries its date in two calendars.
- 24 October 2026י״ג בחשוון תשפ״זNote
A Question for Every Candidate
If an independent Palestinian state does not emerge, what concrete legal and political rights should Palestinians living under continuing Israeli authority have, and what legislative steps would you support to...
- 22 October 2026י״א בחשוון תשפ״זEssay
Embracing the Stranger
For 3600 years, being Jewish at its core meant being accepted by a Jewish community. Not descent from a special family. Not lip service to a particular dogma. When Jewish...
- 17 October 2026ו׳ בחשוון תשפ״זNote
The Party Party
The Party Party. מפלגת המסיבה. Pizza for everyone, live music with everyone, solidarity with everyone ✊️ And the best Solarpunk Libertarian Socialist platform of any party (see pinned post) A...
- 9 October 2026כ״ח בתשרי תשפ״זNote
God Is an Anarchist
Consider: "God is an anarchist" A sketch of an impression of what I drew from the well of José Faur: literature, not theology. Discussion, not domination. Self-organization around books. The...
- 8 October 2026כ״ז בתשרי תשפ״זNote
Why We Create
The general fear, mistrust, anxiety, and personal nearly existential threat so many talented creative people feel regarding AI is saddening. I feel like they don't truly value their own creative...
- 8 October 2026כ״ז בתשרי תשפ״זEssay
A Post-Judaism Jew
What does it mean to be a post-Judaism Jew and why does Israeli society pose that question more pressingly than any other con-text in the past nearly 2000 years? What...
- 1 October 2026כ׳ בתשרי תשפ״זNote
Make Believe Democracy
Banning Abu Shehadeh for having a politically incorrect opinion while allowing Ben Gvir despite actual incitement to violence is farcical and damning. Are we going to have a real democracy...
- 30 September 2026י״ט בתשרי תשפ״זNote
What a Sacred Place a Library Is
Went to The National Library of Israel today. It almost brought tears to my eyes. The written word is such extraordinarily powerful, essentially human technology. Our communities are born from...
- 28 September 2026י״ז בתשרי תשפ״זPoem
Everywhere I Look
Ya Allah! Everywhere I look All I see is my glasses
- 28 September 2026י״ז בתשרי תשפ״זPoem
Just You
Not books Not wars Not miracles Not thoughts Not prayers Not names Just - You
- 28 September 2026י״ז בתשרי תשפ״זNote
Following the Gemara
Somewhere along the way, the instrumental value (which has religious dimensions) of Talmud was transformed into a religious value of following the Gemara.
- 28 September 2026י״ז בתשרי תשפ״זPoem
I Am a Forest of Time
Let me speak The verdant whisper of trees The world's breath blown Between my bodies Through my lives I am a forest of time Seed, sapling, stump Maiden, mother, master...
- 23 September 2026י״ב בתשרי תשפ״זNote
Friend, Enemy
Loving my friend/enemy is the hardest thing because I am afraid, reactive, judgmental, petty. Loving my friend/enemy is the easiest thing because I am curious, compassionate, kind, and brave. And...
- 18 September 2026ז׳ בתשרי תשפ״זPoem
Dear God
Dear God I don't believe in the Death penalty As a golden rule Maybe for Warring chimps It makes a certain Non-sense But for a kingdom That has grown far...
- 17 September 2026ו׳ בתשרי תשפ״זNote
Trauma-Informed Activism
What does trauma-informed activism look like? Maybe... - instead of shaming the audience into agreement, distinguish responsibility from inherent wickedness and offer an actionable path into solidarity - instead of...
- 16 September 2026ה׳ בתשרי תשפ״זPoem
Oliver (2018-2026)
"Oliver (2018-2026)" A small ginger Stalking deli meat On a Jerusalem counter Street kitten given Another life When she Shows up He doesn't even Look up Roommates: The kitten gets...
- 16 September 2026ה׳ בתשרי תשפ״זPoem
The Youth Are Not Alright
"The Youth Are Not Alright" Give me a knife And I will stab Give me a gun And I will shoot My way out of this pain Taking fifty of...
- 16 September 2026ה׳ בתשרי תשפ״זPoem
Here I Am
Our cat is dying We all have a virus Money is beyond tight Supreme court justices are violently arrested Artists are attacked Gangs are seizing land Soldiers are shooting civilians...
- 15 September 2026ד׳ בתשרי תשפ״זNote
Maybe Next Time
Some people try to argue with me all the time I ALWAYS disappoint them And yet they're the ones who never learn Maybe next time they'll Get It. 😉
- 14 September 2026ג׳ בתשרי תשפ״זEssay
Art Is Supposed to Make Us Uncomfortable
I don't know if I like or dislike Yuval and Rachel's documentary. I haven't seen it and, given my schedule, unfortunately I probably won't have time. Therefore, I don't actually...