Presence with the Pain
Finding Hope in times of darkness.
On October 7th 2023, the world witnessed a heartbreaking escalation of violence that has profoundly impacted both Israelis and Palestinians. That day began with an unprecedented breach of Israel's security by Hamas, leading to the tragic loss of over 1,000 Israeli lives. Civilians were targeted, taken hostage, and left in terror, while military bases were attacked, shaking the very core of Israeli society.
But in the days that followed, a devastating and far-reaching response has unfolded. Gaza, already under siege for years, has been subjected to relentless airstrikes, leaving over 42,000 Palestinians dead, tens of thousands more injured, and entire communities displaced. The scale of destruction has been staggering, with homes, hospitals, schools, and basic infrastructure wiped out. The grief of losing so many lives—men, women, and children—is immense, and it reverberates throughout the Palestinian territories.
This violence is not contained to Gaza alone. In the West Bank, particularly in places like Tulkarem, Nablus, and Jenin, military raids and ongoing violence have brought further suffering to communities already burdened by years of occupation. The cycle of violence continues, deepening wounds on both sides.
It’s crucial, as we reflect on these events, to hold space for the immense loss, the heartbreak, and the shared human suffering of this moment.
October 7th has become a symbol of the deep-seated fears and unresolved traumas of both peoples—traumas that stretch far beyond this particular day. Israelis are grappling with a sense of vulnerability and shock, while Palestinians endure the ongoing weight of a struggle for dignity and survival.
As we come together to reflect, we must resist narratives that justify the devastation of innocent lives. No amount of violence can heal these wounds or bring true peace. The loss of every life, whether Israeli or Palestinian, is a tragedy that reverberates across families, communities, and generations. Every life lost is a universe of potential, abruptly extinguished.
Today, October 7th, we invite you to join us on Zoom for the second of three consecutive days of collective sharing and reflection. Together, we are honoring lives lost and focusing on the urgent need to promote justice and peace for all. These gatherings are a part of the global initiative "Every Life a Universe," co-sponsored by Nonviolence International, as we come together to stand for empathy, understanding, and hope in the face of escalating violence.
Our series of heart-centered conversations runs from October 6th to 8th, with each day dedicated to a different aspect of the ongoing crisis in Israel and Palestine:
October 6th:
We reflected on the long history of mistreatment and suffering endured by Palestinians under Israeli policies of expulsion, imprisonment, apartheid, siege, and occupation.
October 7th (Today):
We remember the violent attacks carried out by Hamas and other groups, the hostage-taking, and the tragic loss of over 1,000 Israeli lives in a single day. Our hearts remain with all those affected, and we gather to honor their memory with a shared commitment to peace.
October 8th:
We will focus on the ongoing Israeli military response in Gaza and the West Bank, where over 42,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, 80,000 have been injured, and countless others have been displaced.
These gatherings are an opportunity for us to engage in meaningful reflection, listen to diverse perspectives, and foster a deeper understanding of the complexities of this devastating conflict. Together, we can seek ways to uphold justice and work towards reconciliation and Peace Activation.
Despite the heavy burden of these times, we must still hold onto hope—however fragile it may feel.
Yesterday, in our gathering, we shared a poem that speaks to this resilience. Let us reflect on it once again as we continue to search for light amidst the darkness:
Carrying hope in wartime is a profound challenge that reaches into the depths of our humanity.
It's about finding light in the darkest of times
when the world seems engulfed in shadows.
Hope in war is often found in the small moments—
a stranger's kindness,
a child's laughter echoing through rubble
or the resilience of a community coming together.
It's in the stories we tell each other of courage and compassion, reminding us of the good that persists even when surrounded by destruction.
We carry hope by remembering our shared humanity, by refusing to see others as mere enemies, but as fellow beings caught in the tides of conflict. It's in the dreams we hold for peace, in the visions of rebuilding and reconciliation, that we nurture even as bombs fall.
Hope is sustained through connection—to our loved ones, to our cultural heritage, to the very land we walk upon. It's in the songs we sing, the art we create, the knowledge we preserve and pass on. These acts become quiet rebellions against the forces that seek to divide and destroy.
We find hope in action, in every effort to alleviate suffering, in every voice raised for peace, in every hand extended across battle lines. It's in the courage to imagine a future beyond war, and in taking even the smallest steps towards that future.
Carrying hope in wartime means holding onto our core values and our belief in human dignity, even when the world around us seems to have abandoned them. It's a daily choice to keep our hearts open, to not let bitterness and despair take root.
Perhaps most importantly, hope in wartime is about remembering that this too shall pass. That throughout human history, peace has always followed war.
That spring always comes after even the harshest winter. And in that knowledge, we find the strength to endure, to help others, and to keep working towards a better tomorrow. ( Claude Sonnet)
Join Us for Continued Reflection:
Today, October 7th, we gather again to hold space for collective reflection, to mourn those lost, and to consider the paths forward for both Israelis and Palestinians. Tomorrow, October 8th, we will turn our attention to the continued suffering in Gaza, where thousands of lives have been lost, and in the West Bank, where violence in cities like Tulkarem and Nablus has escalated.
In these meetings, we create a safe space for heart-centered communication, where we can listen, share, and hold onto hope for a future of justice and peace. As we mourn, we must also continue to envision a future where every life—Israeli and Palestinian alike—can thrive in dignity and peace.
We invite you to join us in these conversations, where together we can reflect, resist the despair, and work toward healing for all.
Event Details:
Time: 5:00 PM (Jerusalem Time)
Register here
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In Peace
Eva