When words fail

I cannot think about what happened in Pittsburgh without crying from my soul, and when I try to speak on it I simply can’t. The words get stuck and swallowed hard like a lump of clay I’m forcing my body to absorb. My thoughts are still a puddle of anger and sadness, so I’m not totally sure if what I’ll share today will be the most perfect or eloquent email, but I knew I had to write.

In examining my own privilege I was born into it never occurred to me that my religion actually makes me a target of hate and violence in this day and age.

This is a photo of my family and I going to temple during this September’s high holiday season. If we all look so happy it’s because we are. We all love our faith. We love going to religious services. We love the traditions old and new we create as Jews in this lifetime.

I keep thinking about those services and those families and EVERYONE who is subject to racism and bigotry and violence. I cry for you too.

In thinking about what happened this weekend in Pittsburgh, and what happens all over our country and around the world on a daily basis, this poem by Martin Niemöller came to mind:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
​​​​​​​    Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
​​​​​​​    Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

And so I choose to speak out.

I will be a voice for those who are constantly overlooked or silenced because I can. I will do my best to educate myself and share even when it may be uncomfortable.

We MUST do better.

We must do our part to educate ourselves and show up with NEW knowledge. There is so much work to do. And if me sharing about this makes you uncomfortable it is completely okay to unfollow me or unsubscribe from this email list.

I am not here for followers or fans. I am here to be part of a conscious community trying to do our best…and maybe even a little better than that. I believe in us. I believe we can make this better for all. We HAVE to.

We must create a conscious community together. And it’s okay to mess up and stumble through it and not be perfect. I’m going to do my best and ask the same of you.

Sending love to all who need it.

You are seen.
You are heard.
You matter.

All love,

PS. Yesterday was meant to mark the end of my Big Birthday Giveaway but it didn’t feel right to continue to share about this given the current events. When something like this happens in the greater collective, sometimes I move forward with program launches and plans and sometimes I don’t. As with so much in my business, I check in with my intuition. This week my gut said to take a pause. To spend more time hugging my loved ones. To write to you all about this. It’s okay to continue to move forward, and it’s also okay to take a step back.