Yael Yomtov-Emmanuel

Yael's Thursday Thoughts
August 15th, 2024

1. Recently I've been thinking about what our days will be like the "day after". Will we all continue to pitch in and volunteer? Will everything just go back to life up to October 6th? But how could it be. I think we will be forever changed. Is this our new "normal"? Maybe our "new normal" is really the best version of ourselves?

2. Gifts of the war - one of the only amazing things that have happened to me and I'm sure others are the connections we are making. I'm so blessed and thankful for meeting so many people. Be it, the volunteers who dropped everything to come and help us. Be it, the people creating and running initiatives. Be it, people that were my friends but since October 7th stand out with their selfless volunteering. The connections we are all making with one another are so powerful and deep. 

It's obviously bittersweet but I am thankful as I am making lifetime friends.

3. Perspective. Since October 7th I think I have gained perspective on what's important and what's petty and not worth getting upset about.

4. Comparisons. I find myself doing this but this week my friend did the same. We were discussing something trivial and she noted how unimportant it was compared to the hostages being captive. I think we all feel a sense of warped guilt. Gone are the days of feeling bad for oneself.

5. There are so many people affected negatively by the war. So many causes to take on: feeding our vegan soldiers, reservists losing their businesses, displaced families, Nova survivors, farmers, etc. I find that one of the causes that deeply affect me are the hostages. On a daily basis I post about many causes and needs but solidarity with the families of the hostages deeply affects me. Do you find yourself gravitating to one need more than others.

6. Age. We all say "age is just a number". But seeing people like our Yocheved that at the age of 23 started the SOI movement and our volunteers of literally all ages come and volunteer can we all agree that "Age is really just a number".

As always ending these thoughts with gratitude to all of you.