In the olden days I used to go to festivals as we all do and leave my wristband on until I could no longer get away with it. For festival-goers the wristband you wore to get in and out of the site every day was a mark of a life-changing weekend you didn’t want to forget. This bracelet is from the Nova festival. I got it when I was in Israel with Nova survivors. Hundreds of the people who went to Nova never came back. I won’t take it off until every hostage is home.
I feel lucky to have grown up in America at a time when Jews were accepted at our most prestigious universities. When we could apply for any jobs, even when proudly wearing a Jewish star or a nameplate in Hebrew. When I could bring “doctored” gefilte fish to work and my gentile colleagues all wanted to try some.
I’ve never experienced antisemitism. Now I worry for my grandchildren. It seems to be that our “golden age” in America is fading. How can normal people blame the Jews for the October 7 massacre in Israel? Why are so many young people marching against us? Are we not supposed to defend ourselves? Are we supposed to shrug our shoulders and appease our enemies? How can another Holocaust occur in our time. Why isn’t there more outrage? Why aren’t local Jewish leaders banging at the doors of college presidents, members of Congress, and city and state officials?
October 7 was a seminal day in the lives of Jews worldwide. It was the day our sanctuary, Israel, was viciously attacked 50 years after the Yom Kippur War. My generation, the Baby Boomers, will never be the same. We’ve awakened from our slumber. We will keep shouting and supporting our Israeli brethren as long as we have breath.
Eve, I fucking love your writing. I’m sorry I missed all the music work. You scribbles from Glastonbury were so brilliant. Unless you were writing about Gomez or classic rock I wouldn’t know much about the bands you covered but I wish I devoured it all. I try to explain you to my wife. She is English and not Jewish. I’m an American Jew. I tell her how much heart you have and that you wear it right on your sleeve. I just adore you and am so glad I found you. Don’t worry about the fuckheads that abandoned you, focus on the ones who found you now and would do anything for you. I’m so grateful for your Substack. I truly cherish it. I feel connected to what’s happening through you. Know that you are doing that for so many and it is even deeper then Music and I freak glove music. In fact you can at some point write about music on Blacklisted. I would love to hear your thoughts on just about anything. At some point I hope you have millions of subs and we pay to have you cover the lot.
I am a subscriber and enjoy your writing here and on Instagram. As a Jewish Baby Boomer who grew up in Texas, I remember the fear and then swelling pride I felt while listening to the BBC broadcast of the 6 Day War on my dad’s short wave radio. I am having a very difficult time understanding Millenial and Gen Z Jewish kids whom I’ve known since their birth opting for IfNotNow or JVP rather than standing with Israel at this critical juncture. I despise Bibi and his current cabinet and lay the blame for Israel’s lack of preparedness at his feet. I hope and pray there’s a change in administration there for a government that will work towards two states. The daily anxiety I feel about Israel’s future and the future of diaspora Jews is excruciating and I’m deeply saddened that I don’t feel like I can count on the youngins for support. Thankfully my kids are supportive and my wife and I are so happy that our daughter and son in law have reacted to Oct 7th by doubling down on their Jewishness and are more committed than ever to raising our 13 month old granddaughter in a Jewish home. I guess that gives me a glimmer of hope for the future. Thanks again for being a Lioness for our people. We’re here to support you in any way.
Eve, I started following you on Twitter/X during the pandemic + although I didn’t really understand what was going on in your world, I did feel the pain + sense of betrayal in your posts ... Because you took a stand around your Jewish identity and were ostracized- and That I did understand.
I signed up for your emails, and after Oct.7 I also started following you on IG + signed up for a subscription to your Substack.
Now reading this post, I get what you were talking about back then.
I’ve witnessed the thread of your deep and steadfast pride in being a Jewish person, in supporting Israel + the Jewish people - and the price you continue to pay for that.
I just want to say Thank You.
You speaking your truth with so much power + conviction strengthens me to keep on doing the same.
I’m so f-ing proud of you and I’m holding you in a big, giant hug with so much love!
Heard a song this morning that you no doubt have already heard, "We are Not OK" by John Ondrasik of Five for Five. It resonated well with your essay this morning. I forwarded it to many relatives and friends, as I did a column you wrote a couple weeks ago. It opened a few eyes that needed opening, but also one loud "Don't send me this shit" from a young relative whom I love but has become progressive in every wrong way and now one of those young Jews who express support for Gazans, and thus hamas, with no mention of the hostages. They have always been respectful of me, and peaceful, so the resonance is gone for them. They said my message was painful to them, and to please stop. Maybe I am too cruel, but I sent them John Ondrasik's six minute powerful music video. You do no favor to those few fragile Jewish souls who refuse to see the train heading towards them on the tracks, and think that "Not in my Name" means allowing yourself to be run over.
We will dance again, absolutely yes - but our partners may well change in the years to come. Music is the most important force in my life, and the terrorists are not going to take it away from me.
Eve, you have new friends that idolize you. Even though I am old enough to be your mother, I look up and admire your activism. Any time you are in NY, you have a place to stay and wound down.
""I know it’s not sexy. There is nothing to be gained from talking about rape, mutilitation, mass death. Nothing. There is no “selling” the fight against antisemitism. It cannot be popularized. It is the face of true evil, exposed. The truth. Too much for most to handle. But you know what the fight against antisemitism is? It’s the right thing to do. So you just have to get stuck in and do it. That’s it. End of story. The truth is a hard pill to swallow. People need it shoved down their throats"
Completely agree Eve
It is the wrong time to take the pressure off when Gaza and Ukraine are no longer front page news.It is the most important time to continue highlighting what really happened on October 7 and how it represents most of the views of those Gazans who danced, sang and took photos of a celebration of the utmost barbarism imaginable. All communities need to wake up to the idea of a religion which wants to become global, which hates same sex relationships, which treats women as slaves and which will institute sharia law as soon as they become the dominant culture due to numbers only. The UK is next. Then most of Europe, We need to wake up!
You are a warrior for truth now, Eve. Life has a way of deciding things for us and your incredible voice is need now by all of us--and those who were slaughtered---who are desperate for truth and common sense to be spoken. When a pro- Palestinian man gets on stage in London and says “massacres must be normalized”, we all need to wake up. Palestinians want us all dead. Stay strong, keep fighting, and know you have so many who support and celebrate you.
Eve, I have been following you since October 7. I was in Israel at the time, trying to make sense of what was happening before my eyes as well as the reaction of the world to that horrific event. I found you, and you verbalized every concern that I had and every feeling that I felt. I always look forward to reading your next article. I will be going back to Israel in just over a week and will definitely get to the Nova exhibit. Thank you, again.
Thank you for all you do to keep the eyes and hearts of those who read you focused on the granular truths. You explain them so well. You make an alternate “point of view” (and I know you duke it out everyday on X and IG) untenable. And I thank you for that as well. I have followed you for a very long time now and demanded of my Jewish ‘diaspora’ here that they follow you. I hope you feel the support we all offer you from all over the world. You are my Esther. I can not wait to read what you write. Thank you for your beautiful mind and tenacity and of course your bravery.
I feel lucky to have grown up in America at a time when Jews were accepted at our most prestigious universities. When we could apply for any jobs, even when proudly wearing a Jewish star or a nameplate in Hebrew. When I could bring “doctored” gefilte fish to work and my gentile colleagues all wanted to try some.
I’ve never experienced antisemitism. Now I worry for my grandchildren. It seems to be that our “golden age” in America is fading. How can normal people blame the Jews for the October 7 massacre in Israel? Why are so many young people marching against us? Are we not supposed to defend ourselves? Are we supposed to shrug our shoulders and appease our enemies? How can another Holocaust occur in our time. Why isn’t there more outrage? Why aren’t local Jewish leaders banging at the doors of college presidents, members of Congress, and city and state officials?
October 7 was a seminal day in the lives of Jews worldwide. It was the day our sanctuary, Israel, was viciously attacked 50 years after the Yom Kippur War. My generation, the Baby Boomers, will never be the same. We’ve awakened from our slumber. We will keep shouting and supporting our Israeli brethren as long as we have breath.
Eve, I fucking love your writing. I’m sorry I missed all the music work. You scribbles from Glastonbury were so brilliant. Unless you were writing about Gomez or classic rock I wouldn’t know much about the bands you covered but I wish I devoured it all. I try to explain you to my wife. She is English and not Jewish. I’m an American Jew. I tell her how much heart you have and that you wear it right on your sleeve. I just adore you and am so glad I found you. Don’t worry about the fuckheads that abandoned you, focus on the ones who found you now and would do anything for you. I’m so grateful for your Substack. I truly cherish it. I feel connected to what’s happening through you. Know that you are doing that for so many and it is even deeper then Music and I freak glove music. In fact you can at some point write about music on Blacklisted. I would love to hear your thoughts on just about anything. At some point I hope you have millions of subs and we pay to have you cover the lot.
God bless you Eve Barlow. 🩷
Beautiful as usual- On my way to Israel now- short visit- and will stop at the nova exhibit. Thank you for this. And - yes, we will dance again!
I am a subscriber and enjoy your writing here and on Instagram. As a Jewish Baby Boomer who grew up in Texas, I remember the fear and then swelling pride I felt while listening to the BBC broadcast of the 6 Day War on my dad’s short wave radio. I am having a very difficult time understanding Millenial and Gen Z Jewish kids whom I’ve known since their birth opting for IfNotNow or JVP rather than standing with Israel at this critical juncture. I despise Bibi and his current cabinet and lay the blame for Israel’s lack of preparedness at his feet. I hope and pray there’s a change in administration there for a government that will work towards two states. The daily anxiety I feel about Israel’s future and the future of diaspora Jews is excruciating and I’m deeply saddened that I don’t feel like I can count on the youngins for support. Thankfully my kids are supportive and my wife and I are so happy that our daughter and son in law have reacted to Oct 7th by doubling down on their Jewishness and are more committed than ever to raising our 13 month old granddaughter in a Jewish home. I guess that gives me a glimmer of hope for the future. Thanks again for being a Lioness for our people. We’re here to support you in any way.
Eve, I started following you on Twitter/X during the pandemic + although I didn’t really understand what was going on in your world, I did feel the pain + sense of betrayal in your posts ... Because you took a stand around your Jewish identity and were ostracized- and That I did understand.
I signed up for your emails, and after Oct.7 I also started following you on IG + signed up for a subscription to your Substack.
Now reading this post, I get what you were talking about back then.
I’ve witnessed the thread of your deep and steadfast pride in being a Jewish person, in supporting Israel + the Jewish people - and the price you continue to pay for that.
I just want to say Thank You.
You speaking your truth with so much power + conviction strengthens me to keep on doing the same.
I’m so f-ing proud of you and I’m holding you in a big, giant hug with so much love!
Am Yisrael Chai! 🇮🇱
Heard a song this morning that you no doubt have already heard, "We are Not OK" by John Ondrasik of Five for Five. It resonated well with your essay this morning. I forwarded it to many relatives and friends, as I did a column you wrote a couple weeks ago. It opened a few eyes that needed opening, but also one loud "Don't send me this shit" from a young relative whom I love but has become progressive in every wrong way and now one of those young Jews who express support for Gazans, and thus hamas, with no mention of the hostages. They have always been respectful of me, and peaceful, so the resonance is gone for them. They said my message was painful to them, and to please stop. Maybe I am too cruel, but I sent them John Ondrasik's six minute powerful music video. You do no favor to those few fragile Jewish souls who refuse to see the train heading towards them on the tracks, and think that "Not in my Name" means allowing yourself to be run over.
Just want to thank you for sharing yourself with all of us through your writing. Every single piece resonates so deeply. Thank you!
Proud subscriber! Keep up the great work, Eve. xoxo
Good to have you back, Eve! Will always be one of your supporters! Xx
I remain proud and honoured to be a paid supporter of your work. You speak for so many of us.
We will dance again, absolutely yes - but our partners may well change in the years to come. Music is the most important force in my life, and the terrorists are not going to take it away from me.
Eve, you have new friends that idolize you. Even though I am old enough to be your mother, I look up and admire your activism. Any time you are in NY, you have a place to stay and wound down.
""I know it’s not sexy. There is nothing to be gained from talking about rape, mutilitation, mass death. Nothing. There is no “selling” the fight against antisemitism. It cannot be popularized. It is the face of true evil, exposed. The truth. Too much for most to handle. But you know what the fight against antisemitism is? It’s the right thing to do. So you just have to get stuck in and do it. That’s it. End of story. The truth is a hard pill to swallow. People need it shoved down their throats"
Completely agree Eve
It is the wrong time to take the pressure off when Gaza and Ukraine are no longer front page news.It is the most important time to continue highlighting what really happened on October 7 and how it represents most of the views of those Gazans who danced, sang and took photos of a celebration of the utmost barbarism imaginable. All communities need to wake up to the idea of a religion which wants to become global, which hates same sex relationships, which treats women as slaves and which will institute sharia law as soon as they become the dominant culture due to numbers only. The UK is next. Then most of Europe, We need to wake up!
You are a warrior for truth now, Eve. Life has a way of deciding things for us and your incredible voice is need now by all of us--and those who were slaughtered---who are desperate for truth and common sense to be spoken. When a pro- Palestinian man gets on stage in London and says “massacres must be normalized”, we all need to wake up. Palestinians want us all dead. Stay strong, keep fighting, and know you have so many who support and celebrate you.
Eve, I have been following you since October 7. I was in Israel at the time, trying to make sense of what was happening before my eyes as well as the reaction of the world to that horrific event. I found you, and you verbalized every concern that I had and every feeling that I felt. I always look forward to reading your next article. I will be going back to Israel in just over a week and will definitely get to the Nova exhibit. Thank you, again.
Dear Eve,
Thank you for all you do to keep the eyes and hearts of those who read you focused on the granular truths. You explain them so well. You make an alternate “point of view” (and I know you duke it out everyday on X and IG) untenable. And I thank you for that as well. I have followed you for a very long time now and demanded of my Jewish ‘diaspora’ here that they follow you. I hope you feel the support we all offer you from all over the world. You are my Esther. I can not wait to read what you write. Thank you for your beautiful mind and tenacity and of course your bravery.