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Community Journal

Read more about the experiences of our community members.

Feb 9, 2024

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Keep It Personal. Because I Take It Personally! - 2/9/24

by Janet Hammer

Keep it personal. Three words that mean a lot.
 
I continue to try to share my personal experiences and observations as the war continues into its fifth month and the traumas do not end. These months have been incredible. It’s hard to communicate how bad they’ve felt for me. On Octobe…

Feb 8, 2024

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Safety Is Never Absolute - 2/8/24

by Janet Hammer

This week The Jewish Press of the Florida Gulf Coast republished a picture from my visit to Kibbutz Be’eri. Yes, it’s a classic pose. I am wearing a helmet and a ceramic vest. Quite jaunty. It was taken the first day of our solidarity mission and we were visiting places inside the milita…

Feb 7, 2024

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Child Hostage - 2/7/24

by Janet Hammer

You scream your victimhood
 
My child rots in a cage
 
 
 
You scream starvation 
 
My child chokes in the dark 
 
 
 
You scream resistance 
 
My child writhes in silent pain she can’t understand 
 
 
 
You rage for your land 
 
The embers of my child…

Feb 6, 2024

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Listening But Not Listening, Praying for Peace, and Unseeing Eyes - 2/6/24

by Janet Hammer

Today I wrote to an Israeli friend how it feels to be back in America. Here’s what I wrote to her:
 
My re-entry to the US has been quite ‘interesting’. In some ways it is just easier to be in Israel right now. In Israel, there is understanding. Strangers are not strangers because e…

Feb 5, 2024

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Good Intentions? Read Carefully Before You Sign! - 2/5/24

by Janet Hammer

In news close to home…..
 
This week in my home town, St. Petersburg, Florida, the the city council chambers were abuzz because of a resolution that was being introduced to promote peace in the Middle East. City Councilor, Ritchie Floyd, announced on “X” his intention to have “my …