Elyse Walters

“We managed to find the light through the darkness” . . . I’m Jewish. My husband is Jewish. Our daughters received a Jewish educated from our reform synagogue. We’ve all had our bar and bat mitzvahs. I lived in Israel for a year…. before - during - and after the Yom Kippur War. I have family who live in Israel now. I have grandparents who survived the Holocaust. I value being a Jew…. …our history - our culture - our emphasis on family, charity, and education (learn in order to teach) … I enjoy Jewish rituals- our philosophy about the balance of sorrow and joy. I love my Jewish friends- our Jewish community- the tribal feelings …. I READ THESE ESSAYS WITH MY TOTAL HEART …. Everything and more was covered that I expected….personal stories- beliefs- activism- gut wrenching emotions about the devastating day Oct. 7th — etc. All 75 contributors were deeply sincere- authentic from their soul … The one aspect that wasn’t addressed enough for me was the uncomfortable divides between Jews in America in relationship to what happened on October 7th …. and what we continue to witness today. My own Jewish adult - married daughter stands with the oppressed she tells me — she is fighting for the Palestinian children … saying the number of innocent Palestinians soooo out-weigh the number of Israelis … It’s put me (Mom) in a very uncomfortable position. My daughter and I had to finally agree not to talk about politics in any shape or form with each other right now, I hurts me that since Oct.7th … she has adopted a radical lifestyle that I don’t understand. But I’m her mother - and love her - and I don’t wanna lose my relationship with her. I love Israel …. no question about it ….but I’m no longer clear what’s the right side of history in the Middle East. I’m certainly outraged at the increase of antisemitism we’ve witnessed. I feel horrible thinking about what happened October 7th. I also feel horrible about the many many innocent victims — tiny children… death, poverty, starvation,disease, and displacement for the Palestinians, too. So yes, I see the value for this collection of essays — Jews rallying together - support during confusion, grief, anger, fear… but as a proud Jew myself — (who also wants to feel supported by and with my tribe)…. I need a place to feel safe to have the uncomfortable conversations about my heart breaking for BOTH ….Jews and Palestinians…. Navy, just maybe if Kamala Harris wins our election in two days it’ll be the beginning I’ve been able to bridge to divides …. where no topic is unlimited (while loving and respecting our varied feelings and beliefs)…. Thank you to all who worked hard putting this book together.