In this engaging discussion, Dara Horn, a prolific author known for her impactful work on Jewish identity and culture, shares her thoughts on the complex emotions surrounding recent tragedies affecting the Jewish community. She tackles the disparity in global outrage and emphasizes the importance of resilience. Horn also introduces her new Passover-themed graphic novel, 'One Little Goat,' which humorously captures chaotic Seder traditions. The conversation beautifully intertwines personal histories with creative storytelling, making it relevant for both children and adults.
The podcast explores the complex emotions of anger and frustration within the Jewish community regarding societal responses to tragedies affecting their identity.
It emphasizes the importance of storytelling, particularly through children's literature like 'One Little Goat,' to engage younger generations with Jewish heritage and practices.
Deep dives
The Emotional Toll of Ongoing Conflict
The podcast addresses the deep frustration and anger felt by the speakers as they reflect on the ongoing war, emphasizing that it is day 507 of the conflict and highlighting the plight of hostages in Gaza. They discuss the painful news of the deaths of innocent individuals, including children, at the hands of Hamas, marking it as a brutal tragedy that demands attention. The conversation reveals a broader disappointment with the global response, suggesting a bias in how tragedies are perceived based on the identities of the victims. This leads to a critical reflection on societal failures in compassion and a call for solidarity with those suffering, regardless of nationality or circumstance.
Struggles Within the Jewish Community
The speakers express their frustration towards fellow Jews who appear to downplay the suffering of their own people in favor of moral equivalency with Palestinian victims. This illustrates a concerning trend within segments of the Jewish community that seems to align with broader societal narratives, even when those narratives may be harmful. The commentary highlights a tension where the need for solidarity is juxtaposed against a backdrop of internal dissent, revealing how challenges to Jewish identity and unity are surfaced during crises. The speakers challenge the notion that every tragedy requires a comparative analysis and underscore the importance of recognizing and validating their own community's pain without immediately diverting to others.
The Concept of Am Yisrael and Resilience
The notion of Am Yisrael, or the Jewish people, is discussed as not merely a cultural or religious group but as a resilient community that has endured threats throughout history. This perspective reaffirms that the Jewish identity is woven into a narrative of anti-tyranny and non-conformity, pushing against oppression wherever it arises. The speakers emphasize that understanding this collective identity can help Jews frame their struggles against the larger backdrop of historical injustice and resilience. Furthermore, it is noted that the overarching story is one of survival, with a call to recognize this foundational aspect to strengthen communal bonds in times of crisis.
Educating and Engaging Through Storytelling
The conversation transitions to an exploration of how storytelling, especially through mediums like graphic novels, can enhance connections with Jewish heritage. This includes discussing the new children's book, 'One Little Goat,' which illustrates the importance of integrating fun and engaging narratives into the Seder experience. The idea is presented that children can better connect with their Jewish identity and history when they participate actively in storytelling and cultural practices. The use of creativity in Passover traditions, such as interactive elements and performances, is highlighted as a means to foster deeper understanding and engagement with Jewish values and history.
Like most Jews, the news of the murder of the Bibas children not only saddened us, but it also made us ANGRY. How do we deal with our own thoughts about the event, and the greater world’s response as well?
Dara Horn, a prolific author known for her book People Love Dead Jews (and the podcast Adventures with Dead Jews) as well as her work fighting antisemitism, joins us to deal with our anger and provide context for why we should be optimistic about the future of Jews. We also talk about her new Passover-themed graphic novel for kids, One Little Goat. How does a seder that won’t end lead to a time-traveling adventure? Have a listen.
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