Your Hold is Ready! (10. 24. 23)

October 24, 2023

Hello everyone! It’s been a busy, and frankly, devastating and devastatingly difficult month, both for me and for the world. I hope that, if nothing else, you’re taking care in whatever ways you know how.

While my personal life has been chaotic –– the quarter and semester started at the respective universities where I teach, learn, and TA; my editorial and curatorial work has ramped up; I’m working on my dissertation almost every day; I recently read at a Night Light poetry reading –– I am speaking specifically about the occupation of Palestine, and of Israel’s genocidal violence and resource deprivation in response to recent Palestinian resistance efforts.

I stand, of course, unequivocally in support of a free Palestine. I have watched in horror and profound respect as courageous journalists and regular, everyday people on the ground in Gaza have reported on the unimaginable violence they are enduring, and have endured, in some manner or another, since 1948 (following several preceding decades of British colonial occupation). The violence does not end at any borders, either: Palestinians and their allies worldwide face censorship, threats, and physical violence for our support of Palestinians. As I write this, my own program is on our second week of remote work as a result of such threats.

Those genuinely interested in “free speech” and “cancel culture” should take a look at the removal of pro-Palestinian voices from positions of public authority: political, literary, artistic, educational, and otherwise. Of course, this will be overlooked (no doubt in favor of protecting rapists, white supremacists, transphobes, and others who appeal to the Right’s fascist sensibilities).

The events of the past month have also engendered a significant loss of community for me, and for many other anti-zionist Jews. For many more, this last month has compelled the start of a difficult journey of unlearning, of deprogramming the zionist gospel –– if you’ll pardon the pun –– taught from our entrance into the world/into Judaism. As even nominally “progressive” synagogues and organizations abandon Palestine in favor of the zionist, colonialist narrative of entitlement to the land of Israel, anti-zionist Jews are left unmoored, without places to organize, pray, and find community. I echo my statement on this month’s Exceptional Poetry at Frontier: learn with an open mind; get out, get organized, and find solace in each other.

Of course, this moment has also been met with historic resistance, both by Jewish communities and by the broader public. I encourage you to read the CUNY Jewish Law Students Association Statement on Israel’s genocidal actions. Jewish Voice for Peace occupied the U.S. capitol, and the world has erupted with protests in support of Palestinian liberation. We say, unequivocally: Never Again for Anyone. We all need to keep up this energy, even if and when Palestine fades from the headlines. We have a responsibility not to compromise on genocide, whose ten stages are occurring today in rapid succession.

That’s where I leave you in this long, but necessary preamble to today’s recommendations. Tomorrow, I leave for this year’s National Womens’ Studies Association conference (and then, subsequently, the American Studies Association conference). Submissions for manywor(l)ds remain open through 10/31. While you’re submitting, consider joining over 2200 writers and literary professionals in support of Palestine (and make note of who is, and is not, on that list!).

Now, onto the recommendations.

Today’s Recs:

Books:

Audio & Intermedia

Poetry & Prose & In-Between:

Essays and Articles:

My Recent Work: