As a mother of two children who inhabit my entire heart and soul, I cannot imagine the anguish, fear, and horror of Palestinian families and Israeli families. We’ve been publishing a mix of quiet posts and chatty posts, in the hopes of bringing some solace and joy; but today I simply want to hold space. I am sending my deepest love to those who are hurting right now — our Jewish friends, our Muslim friends, our Arab friends, our Israeli friends, all those who may feel alone or scared in this world.

Hey Alma shared a playlist of Jewish songs made for times of crisis and shared how members of their community are feeling right now, including thoughts like, “Being Jewish/Israeli =/= being anti-Palestinian. We are hurting for them too,” and “Feels like I’m living in a parallel universe from my non-Jewish friends,” and “I’m so scared, but I also am keeping my necklaces on. My mezuzot are staying on my doors.”

This poem also broke my heart:

Oh rascal children of Gaza.
You who constantly disturbed me
with your screams under my window.
You who filled every morning
with rush and chaos.
You who broke my vase
and stole the lonely flower on my balcony.
Come back,
and scream as you want
and break all the vases.
Steal all the flowers.
Come back.
Just come back…
— Khaled Juma, Palestinian poet, 2014

Needless to say, I’m not a foreign policy expert and cannot weigh in on long-term solutions for Gaza and Israel, but I am a parent and human, and I am holding my fellow humans in my thoughts, wherever you live, whomever you pray to at night. Everyone deserves peace and well-being. The news has been heavy and horrifying. May Hamas release the hostages. May there be an immediate ceasefire. May humanitarian aid reach those who need it.

Please join us, if you are able, in donating to organizations providing humanitarian aid:
Doctors Without Borders
Alliance for Middle East Peace
Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund
The American Jewish Joint Distribution
The World Food Programme

Update from a reader: These are all grassroots groups of Jews, Arabs, Israelis, Palestinian, and Arab Israelis working together. Several founded by women and mothers. If anyone could have a solution, it’s the mothers on both sides who grieve for any child being harmed.

We will be matching $10,000 in donations. Just email your receipt to an aid organization to hello@cupofjo.com. Sending so much love.