SHARING IS CARING

Kia ora/Shalom,

Welcome to AJCC Insights!

This week Steven de Jong asked me if I would lead an Instagram account @ajcc_insights to share resources and information with the 13-35s in our Auckland Jewish community. We all need to be very cautious with the amount of time we and our families spend on social media at this time, to protect our mental health and to make sure we don’t traumatise ourselves any further by watching the endless brutality that is being shared online. At the same time, misinformation is rife and it can be isolating out there in Auckland. And spirits are low so we wanted to provide an account that can be trusted where sources are vetted as much as possible and content is moderated. It goes without saying that the situation is moving very quickly and there is much change.

We want you to feel connected and equipped with information that will help you when you go out into New Zealand society where you are in the minority and where you may hear upsetting things or be challenged as a member of the Jewish community.

Thank you to everyone who has sent links through to me for consideration - keep ‘em coming. And a special thank you to Arbel Tenembaum who was way ahead of me when it came to helpful resources and links and helped kick off some of the content (and some of the wording below). And also to Mia Dobbe who has provided excellent ideas that I hope to use. I would love to hear from anyone wanting to contribute.

It is important to make our voices heard and to stand proud, so feel free to share what we post, but if you’re posting your own content please try not share graphic photos or videos. And if you do, blur the images, give trigger warnings and make sure your source is reputable.

Remember the fight is against Hamas, not Palestinians. It is important for the Jewish community to acknowledge there are also innocent Palestinians that are dying right now at the hands of Hamas, and have been for years. Painting all Palestinians with the same brushstrokes as Hamas/terrorists is the same as painting all Israelis and Jews as ‘genociders’ and ‘colonisers’. Change the narrative to ‘Free Palestine from Hamas’. 

And if you’re feeling isolated or vulnerable, please reach out to a friend, to your family, to the Rabbi or to a trusted adult.

Finally, consider taking a social media break this Shabbat.

Stay safe,

Nadine