EP29 (S1) - Gaza On A Pedestal

In the midst of a precarious truce, Amy and Dor ride the waves of a particularly tumultuous week, marked by the terror attack in Jerusalem that morning, heartwarming reunions and the tense, piece-meal release of some hostages. As Hanukkah approaches, they unpack the stark contrasts of violence and poignancy, darkness and light.

The hosts delve into recent developments, from the last-minute truce extension that morning to the ongoing release of the hostages and the increasingly ominous tactics employed by Hamas. They shed light on the harsh realities faced by the 136 individuals still in captivity, under conditions that are anything but “reasonable,” contrary to dangerously misinformed conceptions circulating online. Amy scrutinizes the UN Women agency's grossly belated and negligible acknowledgment of sexual violence.

With Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, looming on the horizon, Amy presents two readings. One, Christopher Hitchens’ critique of celebrating Hanukkah as a triumph of tribal Jewish backwardness in “Bah, Hanukkah,” (2007, Slate Magazine). The other, a touching overnight message from a dear friend, Jerusalem-based artist Judith Margolis. Judith’s meditation on moon gazing unveils a delicate dance between caution and luminosity in the roots of the Hebrew words for these terms, offering a profound insight: “The word for light itself urges us to take heed.”

Acknowledging the non-linear nature of grief and its cyclical movement, they reflect on hurtling through and navigating its stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Amy opens up about drawing lines, letting go, and moving forward. Reflecting on evolving views on relationships, she emphasizes the importance of moral clarity as friendships strain and expire.

Prioritizing well-being, they stress the need to strike a balance between staying informed and succumbing to information overload. Offering a touch of lighter fare and a reprieve from the relentless news cycle, they explore M-I-A's recent glitchy Instagram ditty and Cynthia Nixon's uniquely timed hunger strike for a ceasefire.

Recorded on November 30 (Day 55).

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