One of my (very) few followers actually reached out to me to ask why I had been so silent of late. The truth is, I really haven’t been. I’m still following several Substacks, still talking to my friends, still following the news, etc. It’s just that since my last post several months ago, nothing has REALLY changed. Israel is still fighting in Gaza, though it constantly seems to be winning battles and losing the (PR) war. Most of what I predicted would happen has in fact now happened—the world turned on Israel and it is now (if this is even possible) even more reviled than it was before October 7th. Jews around the world, if they aren’t living in fear and/or isolation, are certainly much more “aware” of the world around them, and how less than a century after the Holocaust, many more than we ever believed would like to see that effort repeated. That all being said, I’m not sure what the Israeli “endgame” is in Gaza. I believe that Israel will at some point go into Rafah (the last part of Gaza that has not yet been attacked), world opinion be damned, but I have to be honest when I say that I don’t expect much to come of that. The hostages won’t be recovered—I suspect that the vast majority are unfortunately dead by this point. Even if Hamas’ remaining fighters are captured or killed, that won’t prevent it (or one of its terrorist brethren) from retaking power in Gaza when the war finally ends.
In terms of non-Israel related stories, my Montreal Canadiens are playing out the string. Three games remain in the season, another one in which the most storied franchise in the NHL will be watching the playoffs on tv, just like the rest of us. There are some positive signs regarding the team, but ultimately, this is still a franchise that is a long, long way away from being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. I’m old, so I actually have a memory of the team when anything less than winning the Stanley Cup was considered to be a failed season. I’ve raised my kids to be Habs fans (maybe at this point it could be considered to be a form of child abuse?), and during their respective lifetimes, they have only seen the team play for a Cup once, during the freakish, pandemic-affected 2020-2021 season. Just once, I’d love to see them experience the same joy that I had at the end of season back in the 1970s, as well as in 1986 and 1993.
One final note—I have walked away from several more Substacks, and for the same reason as before. All have taken firm positions against Israel. That’s fine and that is their right. But, they can do so without my financial support. I doubt that any will notice my departure, or the loss of the $5-$6 per month in income, but at least I can look myself in the mirror and not accept that I would be supporting someone who hates the Jewish homeland. It’s not much, I’ll concede, but it’s not nothing, either.
So, that’s it. I hope that all are well.
Hi my friend! So glad to see you writing. I agree that there isn't much to say. I want to write more, and I will, but it's hard. I was on U Penn's campus for unrelated reasons a few days ago and the antisemitic graffiti was unreal. I was just in shock. My synagogue has heavy security and it is the only place where I feel safe. I continue to wear my Star of David necklace as a big FU to the haters. This non-Jew stands with the Jewish people, now and forever.
I feel you. So much going on, where does one begin?