Everything in this post resonated so much with me. Monday morning I listened to Habakkuk while dressing for work. Violence! I shook my head and realized how timely the ancient prophet’s words were for today. You’ve expressed so well my thoughts on this matter. Thank you much for wrestling with words that give hope!
Thank you, Jeff. You are so gracious and your wrestling resonated with me— this is such a complicated situation, and life matters- everyone has the imago Dei.
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful, kind, and human point of view. I married a Jewish man, converted to Judaism. Every time a conflict turns up on the news, I feel responsible to educate myself more than I have been doing. Not to argue or take side, but to understand. And it’s difficult to find materials that are not argumentative. Your article has helped so much.
Jeff, this has been so helpful to me!! As a woman who’s married to an Israeli (his whole family is there) and working with peacemaking organizations to end the occupation, I have been so frustrated by the extreme all or nothing statements that have inundated my social media world. People are looking to me to sone extent to provide context and nuance and it’s hard to express my feelings in my own words. Sharing yours will be so helpful to me and to those around me who are despairing and want to try to understand. Thank you for this!
I hope that your extended family in Israel is safe. These are terrifying times, and I am hoping and praying for better, more thoughtful leadership that can help orchestrate something that brings about mutual flourishing.
Jeff, thanks so much for this post—I've reflected on it in the weeks since you published it, and I actually quoted a few sentences from it in a sermon I preached on Sunday, the "We can do two things at once" passage. Since then, I've had more than a handful of congregants mention that specific phrase to me—"we can do two things at once"—as a helpful shorthand for the complexity of this season. Thanks for giving us language to name all that we're holding right now.
I have revisited this writing so many times this week. In addition to the words you gave us, the powerful image of the Peace Window at the UN by Marc Chagall has stayed on my mind and heart. You can see the web of peace is woven by vital connections between all beings and the illuminated light we need to share to keep this world alive. I’m so touched to find your writings here. Thank you for sharing what you see and find the words for expressing.
Thank you for this balm to my weary soul tonight. So much encouragement Jeff. Thank you for showing me new things in an old book. Habakkuk. And that we can hold two things at once.
Everything in this post resonated so much with me. Monday morning I listened to Habakkuk while dressing for work. Violence! I shook my head and realized how timely the ancient prophet’s words were for today. You’ve expressed so well my thoughts on this matter. Thank you much for wrestling with words that give hope!
This well-timed post is so thoughtful and so moving that I'm moved to think in new ways and to upgrade my subscription from free to paid. Yes, I will!
Thank you, Jeff. You are so gracious and your wrestling resonated with me— this is such a complicated situation, and life matters- everyone has the imago Dei.
Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful, kind, and human point of view. I married a Jewish man, converted to Judaism. Every time a conflict turns up on the news, I feel responsible to educate myself more than I have been doing. Not to argue or take side, but to understand. And it’s difficult to find materials that are not argumentative. Your article has helped so much.
Jeff, this has been so helpful to me!! As a woman who’s married to an Israeli (his whole family is there) and working with peacemaking organizations to end the occupation, I have been so frustrated by the extreme all or nothing statements that have inundated my social media world. People are looking to me to sone extent to provide context and nuance and it’s hard to express my feelings in my own words. Sharing yours will be so helpful to me and to those around me who are despairing and want to try to understand. Thank you for this!
I hope that your extended family in Israel is safe. These are terrifying times, and I am hoping and praying for better, more thoughtful leadership that can help orchestrate something that brings about mutual flourishing.
Jeff, thanks so much for this post—I've reflected on it in the weeks since you published it, and I actually quoted a few sentences from it in a sermon I preached on Sunday, the "We can do two things at once" passage. Since then, I've had more than a handful of congregants mention that specific phrase to me—"we can do two things at once"—as a helpful shorthand for the complexity of this season. Thanks for giving us language to name all that we're holding right now.
I have revisited this writing so many times this week. In addition to the words you gave us, the powerful image of the Peace Window at the UN by Marc Chagall has stayed on my mind and heart. You can see the web of peace is woven by vital connections between all beings and the illuminated light we need to share to keep this world alive. I’m so touched to find your writings here. Thank you for sharing what you see and find the words for expressing.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you for this balm to my weary soul tonight. So much encouragement Jeff. Thank you for showing me new things in an old book. Habakkuk. And that we can hold two things at once.
Really grateful for your words in this, Jeff!
Thank you Jeff.
If you haven't read Noa Tishby's book, Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth, I hope you will. I find her perspective and the historical context enlightening. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Israel/Noa-Tishby/9781982144937
Such a very helpful and practical letter. Many thanks. Celia
Thank you. Beautiful.
Thank you so much Jeff. Your words provide comfort, context, and a reminder to stay faithful.
Thank you 🩷