You are a hero Eve and we can not underestimate your strength and courage in bearing witness to both the horror of October 7th, 2023 and the rising tide of global antisemitism. And it is the responsibility of all Jews and righteousness Gentiles (to use a term highlighted by Yad Vashem) to speak frequently and loudly about antisemitism and the desire of Islamic militants to destroy Western civilization.
Thanks Eve. I booked a slot for the exhibition a couple of weeks ago but on the day , I couldn't face it. I knew it would upset me immensely. I just didnt feel in the right place mentally that day. It sounds a bit cowardly. But of course im not one of those who needs to be converted . The people who really need to see the exhibition would not have an open mind to even visit. We are now getting a new PM in this country. If anything he will be even worse for the Jews as he is backed by the demented left of the Labour Party. Things will get worse unfortunately
You are definitely not cowardly Peter. Just the fact that you continue to live in a country that is as anti-Semitic as any in the West is proof of that.
Two quotes from one of my favourite French writers come to mind after reading this deeply engaging piece of writing by Eve Barlow. The first one honours Danielle Gelbaum’s spirit: « Freedom is a system based on courage. » The second is for Eve: « A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket. » (Charles Péguy)
My niece (not Jewish) has a husband whose family ran a “ranch” where folks who go to Coachella could stay and be transported via vans. by family members ( my niece’s husband, his brother, etc.)
So when October 7 happened, I told my niece,”visualize concert goers at Coachella: it’s dawn, music is playing, young people are dancing. Then a few miles a way you look up in the sky and wonder what is happening. Maybe you can see people breaking through a wall and riding like animals on n motorcycles and pickup trucks with automatic rifles.”
Her eyes got huge. A flash of fear passed over her face.
If we can make these kind of comparisons perhaps the Nova exhibit will feel more personal.
Beside the Nova Exhibition comparison I use the famous Joan River’s quote when she was asked by a reporter what she thought about the second Intifada,”If New Jersey attacked New York we would wipe them out.”
You would think people would understand: if people are rampaging through your villages, raping, torturing, murdering and kidnapping your family and friends, what would you do?Wipe them out! Right? So why weren’t Israelis allowed to fight back AND rescue their people from Gaza?
Eve, I'm curious about something. You referred a number of times to all the brave women, all the women speakers, etc. So was this a woman-only event? Why no men speakers? I'm sure it was equally traumatic (of course) to the male attendants, but I would think they would also have some very different reactions, involving their inability to prevent what happened. All men want to think that in such an awful attack they'd be one of the ones who stayed and fought, but in the event almost all of them (very rightly) ran. There must be a lot of them who are now plagued with shame along with memories of that morning.
If you recognize my name then you might remember from my earlier comments to your column that I 100% support you, and I 100% support Israel. This is not a "gotcha" question; I'm just genuinely interested.
I wonder what would happen if you encountered one of those former friends on the street? Would they avert their eyes and walk by? Insult you? Stare through you blankly?
What would happen if you invited them directly, face-to-face, to the Nova exhibit?
It could be the result would be just as bad, or worse, but it is far easier to discard an email.
I’m going on Sunday and am absolutely gutted to have missed your talk. I would have loved to have heard you in person as your writing has moved me so many times. Thank you for carrying on x
You are a hero Eve and we can not underestimate your strength and courage in bearing witness to both the horror of October 7th, 2023 and the rising tide of global antisemitism. And it is the responsibility of all Jews and righteousness Gentiles (to use a term highlighted by Yad Vashem) to speak frequently and loudly about antisemitism and the desire of Islamic militants to destroy Western civilization.
Thanks Eve. I booked a slot for the exhibition a couple of weeks ago but on the day , I couldn't face it. I knew it would upset me immensely. I just didnt feel in the right place mentally that day. It sounds a bit cowardly. But of course im not one of those who needs to be converted . The people who really need to see the exhibition would not have an open mind to even visit. We are now getting a new PM in this country. If anything he will be even worse for the Jews as he is backed by the demented left of the Labour Party. Things will get worse unfortunately
You are definitely not cowardly Peter. Just the fact that you continue to live in a country that is as anti-Semitic as any in the West is proof of that.
Thank you. But im safe. Im not Jewish. Im just acutely aware of history and have eyes to see what is happening.
As one who is not Jewish either I suggest that we're all Jewish if we Stand.
Bless you.
Thank you.
Neither am I, but we must have a responsibility to stand with Jews. We are so close behind
True but there's more than that!
Two quotes from one of my favourite French writers come to mind after reading this deeply engaging piece of writing by Eve Barlow. The first one honours Danielle Gelbaum’s spirit: « Freedom is a system based on courage. » The second is for Eve: « A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket. » (Charles Péguy)
Keep keeping on Eve. You are heard. You are amazing. This is the most important work that you are doing.
My niece (not Jewish) has a husband whose family ran a “ranch” where folks who go to Coachella could stay and be transported via vans. by family members ( my niece’s husband, his brother, etc.)
So when October 7 happened, I told my niece,”visualize concert goers at Coachella: it’s dawn, music is playing, young people are dancing. Then a few miles a way you look up in the sky and wonder what is happening. Maybe you can see people breaking through a wall and riding like animals on n motorcycles and pickup trucks with automatic rifles.”
Her eyes got huge. A flash of fear passed over her face.
If we can make these kind of comparisons perhaps the Nova exhibit will feel more personal.
I have given the same metaphor many times over the years for the people that "don't understand what the point of the Nova exhibition is."
I am so glad you do that.
Beside the Nova Exhibition comparison I use the famous Joan River’s quote when she was asked by a reporter what she thought about the second Intifada,”If New Jersey attacked New York we would wipe them out.”
You would think people would understand: if people are rampaging through your villages, raping, torturing, murdering and kidnapping your family and friends, what would you do?Wipe them out! Right? So why weren’t Israelis allowed to fight back AND rescue their people from Gaza?
Tears for you, tears for Israel, and tears forJews. I pray for Meshiach daily.
Thank you again for never giving up, for never going silent in the face of a tsunami of hate that never seems to abate.
Eve, I'm curious about something. You referred a number of times to all the brave women, all the women speakers, etc. So was this a woman-only event? Why no men speakers? I'm sure it was equally traumatic (of course) to the male attendants, but I would think they would also have some very different reactions, involving their inability to prevent what happened. All men want to think that in such an awful attack they'd be one of the ones who stayed and fought, but in the event almost all of them (very rightly) ran. There must be a lot of them who are now plagued with shame along with memories of that morning.
If you recognize my name then you might remember from my earlier comments to your column that I 100% support you, and I 100% support Israel. This is not a "gotcha" question; I'm just genuinely interested.
Eve—was the audience comprised of non-Jews as well? I would be curious to know more about the demographics of those who attended.
Eve,
Thank you for witnessing.
I wonder what would happen if you encountered one of those former friends on the street? Would they avert their eyes and walk by? Insult you? Stare through you blankly?
What would happen if you invited them directly, face-to-face, to the Nova exhibit?
It could be the result would be just as bad, or worse, but it is far easier to discard an email.
I’ve had people walk past me x
EVE🥰👏💖
I’m going on Sunday and am absolutely gutted to have missed your talk. I would have loved to have heard you in person as your writing has moved me so many times. Thank you for carrying on x
I must go but will be alone