Friends, Qasim Rashid wrote an article in May about the "technical" definition of Holocaust, and in it he powerfully argues for this term. Please check out his article here: https://www.qasimrashid.com/p/holocaust
We owe you thanks for writing this with such honesty and moral clarity. The way you connect personal reckoning during the High Holidays with the urgent demand for justice now is powerful. Naming genocide for what it is will always unsettle people, but silence is far more dangerous.
I had a Jewish grandmother who died in 1927. My mother was a mischling in Nazi Germany. She managed to get to England. Several family members died in camps.
So I carry Jewish blood in my veins. I tried to understand Israel’s actions as coming from generational trauma. But as time passed, it became obvious that Israeli state actions are much more venal. The story of basic human lust for power and greed. It’s ugly and it’s tragic.
Thank you for your clear statement about this Holocaust which the whole world is witnessing in real time.
Thank you for sharing your story, Maya. All of us who are Jewish, Jewish-adjacent, or just empathic and wanting to heal the world have to struggle with how to say this forcefully and clearly so that the world can hear us, and we can fight for what's right.
This resonated deeply with me. I am Jewish—my name is Jewish, my face is Jewish—and I can’t hide from it. But I also can’t embrace the version of Zionism being sold as Jewish ideals.
For me, tikkun olam is the essence of Judaism. Our long history of suffering, exile, and persecution was supposed to make us hyper-aware of others’ suffering—not justify creating more of it. That lesson has been hijacked. Zionists twist our pain into a weapon against the vulnerable, and it’s exhausting to watch.
Articles like this remind me of the real purpose of life: empathy and compassion, especially for the most vulnerable. I can’t change the whole world—or even my friends and family—but I can change myself. When I face hatred for being Jewish, my choice is to turn that into empathy for those being persecuted. Not to redirect hate onto others. Not to use victimhood as a shield for cruelty.
That, to me, is the heart of Judaism.
It’s so wrong that generational trauma, is now being used against vulnerable - when the exact opposite was supposed to happen.
Suffering should be a means to grow as a person, not to turn into the tormentor and loose our humanity.
I’m not religious, but I am a trauma survivor & your comment resonates.
One thing I am dedicated to is…that I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been through on my worst enemy, and I have always believed this & tried to lead myself in this way my entire life. You stated what I believe, beautifully.
Lawrence, this is a beautiful piece. I'm dreading the holiday table this year, but I'll still be there. The work of reckoning needs to be inside the house as well. I may be surprised, I may be hurt, I may be disgusted. I'm honestly not sure what I'll find.
Thanks you, Stephanie, and you are absolutely right: the work needs to happen inside the house--maybe there more than anywhere else. Shanah Tova, my friend.
This made me cry. I had to pause several times to let my eyes clear. Beautifully stated. I’m not religious, but I follow Qasim too.
There are people of different politics, religions, & people like me, non- religious, that follow him for good reason. He teaches critical thinking leading by example. He is an incredible human being & IMO this piece ranks you with him.
Loved this work, Lawrence. I’m living in editing hell with my posts today.
Sometimes it’s better to walk away and return with a clear mind!
Much love and peace.
💜🫶🏼💜
Shout out to the community at Banner & Backbone! Everyone is welcome and there is something for everyone! It’s a loving, intelligent, funny community and sometimes we’re 15 year olds discussing cartoons and characters. Sometimes we’re 80 year olds talking about our various collections!
Friends, Qasim Rashid wrote an article in May about the "technical" definition of Holocaust, and in it he powerfully argues for this term. Please check out his article here: https://www.qasimrashid.com/p/holocaust
We owe you thanks for writing this with such honesty and moral clarity. The way you connect personal reckoning during the High Holidays with the urgent demand for justice now is powerful. Naming genocide for what it is will always unsettle people, but silence is far more dangerous.
Gino, I appreciate your words so much. Thank you for reading, and for understanding the deep place this comes from.
I had a Jewish grandmother who died in 1927. My mother was a mischling in Nazi Germany. She managed to get to England. Several family members died in camps.
So I carry Jewish blood in my veins. I tried to understand Israel’s actions as coming from generational trauma. But as time passed, it became obvious that Israeli state actions are much more venal. The story of basic human lust for power and greed. It’s ugly and it’s tragic.
Thank you for your clear statement about this Holocaust which the whole world is witnessing in real time.
Thank you for sharing your story, Maya. All of us who are Jewish, Jewish-adjacent, or just empathic and wanting to heal the world have to struggle with how to say this forcefully and clearly so that the world can hear us, and we can fight for what's right.
Appreciate your work. Thanks.
This resonated deeply with me. I am Jewish—my name is Jewish, my face is Jewish—and I can’t hide from it. But I also can’t embrace the version of Zionism being sold as Jewish ideals.
For me, tikkun olam is the essence of Judaism. Our long history of suffering, exile, and persecution was supposed to make us hyper-aware of others’ suffering—not justify creating more of it. That lesson has been hijacked. Zionists twist our pain into a weapon against the vulnerable, and it’s exhausting to watch.
Articles like this remind me of the real purpose of life: empathy and compassion, especially for the most vulnerable. I can’t change the whole world—or even my friends and family—but I can change myself. When I face hatred for being Jewish, my choice is to turn that into empathy for those being persecuted. Not to redirect hate onto others. Not to use victimhood as a shield for cruelty.
That, to me, is the heart of Judaism.
It’s so wrong that generational trauma, is now being used against vulnerable - when the exact opposite was supposed to happen.
Suffering should be a means to grow as a person, not to turn into the tormentor and loose our humanity.
I’m not religious, but I am a trauma survivor & your comment resonates.
One thing I am dedicated to is…that I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been through on my worst enemy, and I have always believed this & tried to lead myself in this way my entire life. You stated what I believe, beautifully.
Lawrence, this is a beautiful piece. I'm dreading the holiday table this year, but I'll still be there. The work of reckoning needs to be inside the house as well. I may be surprised, I may be hurt, I may be disgusted. I'm honestly not sure what I'll find.
Thanks you, Stephanie, and you are absolutely right: the work needs to happen inside the house--maybe there more than anywhere else. Shanah Tova, my friend.
Shana Tovah to you as well.
This made me cry. I had to pause several times to let my eyes clear. Beautifully stated. I’m not religious, but I follow Qasim too.
There are people of different politics, religions, & people like me, non- religious, that follow him for good reason. He teaches critical thinking leading by example. He is an incredible human being & IMO this piece ranks you with him.
Thank you for your thoughtful, soul-wrenching article. I wish you well.
Loved this work, Lawrence. I’m living in editing hell with my posts today.
Sometimes it’s better to walk away and return with a clear mind!
Much love and peace.
💜🫶🏼💜
Shout out to the community at Banner & Backbone! Everyone is welcome and there is something for everyone! It’s a loving, intelligent, funny community and sometimes we’re 15 year olds discussing cartoons and characters. Sometimes we’re 80 year olds talking about our various collections!
Cmon in! The water is fine!
Lawrence, I'm not Jewish, but that was a fascinating piece! So informative.
It has never been “never again”. Look at North Korea. How many years has that been going on? Sickening.