Who will repair the chain?

Originally published on The Shabbat Drop by Miranda Lapides on November 24, 2023.

“Where we live”

if I am assaulted on the street please don’t sidestep or swipe my jewelry the broken chain pulled from my neck gold star six points my father’s i’m glad he isn’t alive to see the evening news jews in danger on the street where we live

he used to call every other day ask about work share the 5-day forecast for my town weather his biggest worry caution driving in slippery conditions ice is a killer hurricane coming my way

if alive today he’d call at noon and 6 talk about the storm the virus ask if I’d been out worn a mask

he’d mention the star of david always around his neck took it off twice for surgeries not taking it off now wears it under his shirt

if assaulted on the street today his gold glinting off my neck not a collar or noose a link

i hear him cry out who will repair the chain

Maddy Lapides 11/10/2023

Wartime Photography

If you’re following the Israel-Hamas war and you’re on Instagram, you must follow photographer and filmmaker Shahar Dekel (@shahar_dekel). Shahar is a 26-year-old student who was living on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, one of the kibbutzim that was brutally attacked by Hamas on October 7th, and is now in the reserves. He’s been keeping a “war diary” on Instagram, and I feel like these beautiful photos that capture the human side of war will go down in history. But see for yourself!

Shabbat Shalom! xx Miranda