Hopes for the year ahead
Community care, ceasefire, and the end of capitalism.
Hello and welcome to 2024. Am I the only one who still feels like 2020 was yesterday? If no one has told you yet, I’m glad that you’re here and I’m proud of you for making it through yet another wild year of collective trauma and late-stage capitalism. The past four years have really been something, but I still feel hopeful when I see people take the time to listen and learn, have tough conversations, open their hearts and minds, fight for equality, and find ways to support and uplift each other.
2023 personal recap
If my opening paragraph didn’t confirm it, the past several years have felt like an uphill battle, and 2023 was a challenging year. I ended the 22-23 school year teaching two new preps (this means I had to create/plan/implement a year’s worth of material for two new-to-me courses) and started the 23-24 school year with three new preps. My work weeks have often averaged 65+ hours in researching, creating presentations, planning lectures, building assignments, and grading. All in all, I’ve been teaching five new courses this year, and I’m exhausted. The past two years haven’t left much room for “me.”
While I love delving deeper into new historical topics, I miss being recognized as an artist, a photographer, and a creative. I’ve been actively pursuing roles for the past two years in the world of communications/copywriting/marketing for nonprofits (what I did prior to teaching) hoping to find some work-life balance again, but haven’t found success yet. In the meantime, with the time I do have, I am learning how to combine my passion for history, education, and conversation with my art. They have mostly existed in separate spaces, but I dream of making historical and political zines focused on alternatives to capitalism, healing intergenerational trauma, social justice, and worker movements throughout history. I hope to share the culmination of these ideas with you here. Thanks for being along for the journey. 💖
2024 goals and bucket lists
Do you keep a bucket list? If not, it’s time to start one! This is something I have been doing for years - it helps me keep track of all my dreams, interests, and hobbies. I also have my students do it throughout the year, and sometimes they’ll email me years later with something they crossed off! 🥹 What a gift to be part of someone’s list. Here’s a video I created in 2020 about the importance of a bucket list:
Reflecting on my bucket list at the end of each year and thinking about what I want to do in the next always leaves me feeling accomplished and proud of myself, despite how tough the year may have been. Here’s what I crossed off in 2023!
Here’s some of the items I hope to cross off my list in 2024:
9. Camp on the beach
37. Ride on a tandem bike
119. Start a blog, posting at least once a week (this newsletter!!)
138. Take a dome-building class
200. Plan a wedding!
What’s on your bucket list for this year? If you don’t have one, do you plan to start one? Remember, your bucket list can be big or small goals! They can be personal, professional, or political. Maybe you’d like to learn a new skill, attend your first protest, or join a club.
Organizations for Learning, Supporting, and Taking Action for Palestine
If you are able to participate, next Saturday in Washington DC, there will be a March on Washington for Gaza. If you’re not local, you can bus in, and several busses are already organized around the country. The bus is pricey and I cannot afford this trip. If you’re in a similar situation, consider sharing the event or donating to the cause.
Breaking the Silence: Learn more from veteran Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers who are speaking out about realities in the Occupied Territories.
Jewish Voice for Peace: I am a member of JVP, a grassroots, multiracial, cross-class, intergenerational movement of U.S. Jews who oppose Zionism working in solidarity with the Palestinian freedom struggle, guided by a vision of justice, equality, and dignity for all people. Open to Jewish folks and allies who want to get involved.
What else can I do?
Contact your representatives regularly. Call their offices. Call the White House. Send emails. Send faxes via FaxZero for free and find your reps easily.
Have tough conversations with friends, family, and neighbors. Ask questions and try to understand their perspective. Listen to any fears and concerns.
Join local chapters/organizations that are already doing the work.
Participate in local marches or rallies if you feel safe to do so.
Fact-check and share responsibly. Make sure news and sources are reliable.
Give yourself permission to rest. Feel your grief and take action, but remember to find moments of joy and take time for yourself, too.
