Star journalist Linda Gradstein and Noah Efron discuss two topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.
Kids Out
Every day for a week hostages got out of Gaza until, all of a sudden, they didn’t.
Kids In
When your kid calls to say he loves you.
The Jew-Hate on Other Campuses
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: We’ve heard all about how scary and contentious Ivy League schools have become. But what’s it like at all the other places? Prof. Noah Stoffman shares what it’s like on the campus of a world-class public campus: Indiana University.
All that and wheat, oranges and Torah scrolls.
Songs
- Od Lo Tamu Kol Pla’ayech — The 1984 Northern Command Army Singing Troupe Reunion
- Lo Tenatzhu Oti — Yehoram Gaon and Artists from Army Singing Troupes
- Yahad Tamid — the Official IDF Song of the War — Static and Agam Buhbut
Hi.
Noah I met you when you came to Melbourne for Limmud Oz.
Our daughter’s partner is a Melbourne boy who went to Israel when he finished school to enlist in the army. He ended up doing 6 years in the shayetet.
On October 7 he was as far away as you can be, on an island off the north of Australia in an Aboriginal community. When he got back in to telephone range on Oct 8 he heard about the war and that he had been called up. My daughter and her partner have 2 girls, a baby and a toddler. And he is a doctor. His first thought was to go to Israel to join his unit, to help in any way he could. . It took him 3 days to get to Melbourne and from there he flew to Israel.
I have never known such fear and especially when he was out of phone contact. I could not sleep. There was an enormous knot in my stomach and a pervading sense of doom.
All I could think was my two darling granddaughters may be left without a father.
My daughter was incredibly strong and was only supportive of him, but it was especially hard for her because there was no one else in Melbourne with their partner fighting in the war.
I don’t believe in God but every day I said tehillim and prayed for his safety.
He has now returned to Australia .
I don’t know whether he will return, but so thankful he is safely home.
From far away in Australia, we know a little of what you are feeling.
Diane,
I am so happy and relieved that your daughter’s partner is back with your daughter and your grandkids. As you know, I guess I know a little about what it must have been like for you, and for your daughter, when he was here in Israel, in harm’s way.
It was so kind of you to write, with such empathy, because — obviously — you know a little about what this moment is like for me, and you know how much it helps to hear from someone who understands what 3:00 in the morning is like, when you’re in this position.
You did not have to write, and I am sure that you’re busy, and the fact that you did, well, it is beautiful – an act of pure generosity. It really means something to me, thank you.
Diane,
I am so happy and relieved that your daughter’s partner is back with your daughter and your grandkids. As you know, I guess I know a little about what it must have been like for you, and for your daughter, when he was here in Israel, in harm’s way.
It was so kind of you to write, with such empathy, because — obviously — you know a little about what this moment is like for me, and you know how much it helps to hear from someone who understands what 3:00 in the morning is like, when you’re in this position.
You did not have to write, and I am sure that you’re busy, and the fact that you did, well, it is beautiful – an act of pure generosity. It really means something to me, thank you.
Hi Noah
I really feel that we are all connected in this.
I can assure you that the Jews of Melbourne are horrified and devastated and scared and worried. We are not close to the war but we feel it.
May you and your son and son in law and all of those dear to you and klal yisrael stay safe and unharmed.
Best wishes Diane