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Reposted by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

Dave Bonta @davebonta.bsky.social · 15h

A Columbus Day edition of the digest with @myheadtheforest.bsky.social @pi-and-anne.bsky.social @writtenbyallison.bsky.social @vanopticon.bsky.social @jamesmcconachie1.bsky.social @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social @garybarwin.bsky.social 2/3
www.vianegativa.us/2025/10/poet...

Poetry Blog Digest 2025, Week 41

A personal selection of posts from the Poetry Blogging Network and beyond.

www.vianegativa.us

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2h

"...I’m tired of people using each others’ words or silences as a cudgel. Can we instead aspire to give each other grace?..."

Thoughts on the #ceasefire, and how we relate to each other, and reaching #SheminiAtzeret again.
velveteenrabbi.com/2025/10/14/c...

Ceasefire

I saw a lot of people asking, “Where are the pro-ceasefire voices now?” yesterday in a gotcha kind of way. I wish I could remember who wrote the piece I read recently about how people get our globa…

velveteenrabbi.com

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 1d

The classic "HOPE" poster that filled my heart with optimism in 2008 feels at best naive to me now. Lopping off the "e" as we still push for a better America feels like some kind of metaphor.

George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 1d

You gotta give ‘em hop.

A tweet from the Anonymous account says, “Make sure the dude in the frog costume in Portland knows he's an icon.” The image is a stylized poster of a frog wearing a stars-and-stripes scarf with the word “HOP” below, in the style of the Obama “HOPE” poster.

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 1d

Holding you and yours in my heart.

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Reposted by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

Nora Reed (they/them ze/hir) @nora.zone · 3d

cry havoc and let slip the frogs of war

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 1d

"I was writing about #Sukkot, cognitive dissonance, and living into the and..."

On cognitive dissonance, holding multiple feelings at once, and hopes for peace in #Gaza and #Israel: velveteenrabbi.com/2025/10/12/a...

And

I was writing about Sukkot, cognitive dissonance, and living into the and. In the sukkah I’m indoors, and I’m outdoors. I’m sheltered from the sky, and I’m not sheltered. I …

velveteenrabbi.com

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 3d

Oh I would eat the HECK out of this. Wow that sounds good. These are a few of my favorite things.

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

This is atrocious. I'd like to go off on how our tradition actually reads the בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה verses -- Talmud reinterprets that teaching so radically! -- but my righteous indignation at other people misusing our scripture is way less important than simply saying: this is just wrong. Period.

Jess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 5d

A White Christian nationalist pastor argued recently on a right-wing podcast that the Bible--specifically Deuteronomy 21, about how a father must bring his rebellious son to the town square to be stoned--justifies state violence against Black boys and young men.

www.theroot.com/why-this-whi...

Article from "The Root" by Asheea Smith. Published October 8, 2025

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

oh, gross. eww. why are people like this.

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

Yeah, ewwww.

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Reposted by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 5d

New — I was fortunate to speak in front of students and faculty at Grinnell College in Iowa tonight about the business of independent journalism, the current state of media under Trump 2.0, and billionaire control.

I published my full speech because I thought it might resonate beyond campus:

Truth, morality and independence in journalism under the second Trump regime

My full remarks to students and faculty at Grennell College.

www.thehandbasket.co

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

Deeply grateful to Elissa Wald for featuring my poetry in JUDITH magazine -- and to all of the artists whose gorgeous artwork accompanies my words!
judithmagazine.substack.com/p/under-this...

Under This Roof That Lets In Rain

Introducing the poetry of Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

judithmagazine.substack.com

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

These two headline sentences next to each other are a great encapsulation of the cognitive dissonance of this moment.

NPR @npr.org · 5d

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the "first phase" of a ceasefire deal. And, hundreds of National Guard troops were deployed to the greater Chicago area at President Trump's request. n.pr/46ZzgqK

Israel and Hamas reach initial ceasefire deal. And, National Guard arrive near Chicago

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the "first phase" of a ceasefire deal. And, hundreds of National Guard troops were deployed to the greater Chicago area at President Trump's request.

n.pr

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

This thread is fascinating.

derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 5d

Have you ever noticed that old clothes online sometimes look better than old clothes in your closet?

Why is that? 🧵

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

(2/2) I'm praying for best outcomes: in tiny self-centered ways (please God let us figure out what's causing these mini-strokes) and in the biggest ways I know how, for the whole wounded world.

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

I'm sitting today in cognitive dissonance: I feel okay right now, and a week ago I landed in the hospital because I literally couldn't speak. The national news breaks my heart; the hope of peace and a better future glues my heart back together. (1/2)

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Reposted by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

Rabbi Emily Cohen @thatrabbicohen.bsky.social · 5d

While we've passed the 2nd secular anniversary of October 7th, the Hebrew one— Simchat Torah— is next week. If this report is true, there will truly be reason to rejoice in community on Tuesday night.

Nothing can bring back the dead, but we can work to repair our world for the living.

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 5d

BREAKING: Hamas will release all 20 living hostages this weekend, AP sources say, as Israelis will withdraw from majority of Gaza.

Israel, Hamas agree to 'first phase' of plan to end fighting, release hostages, Trump says

President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first Phase” of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.

bit.ly

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

I am speechless.

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

אמן ואמן

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

Haha, yes to all of these!

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

+1 to this

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

Oh, wow, that is fascinating. And totally news to me.

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 6d

This is well-articulated and I feel it with you.

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 7d

I don't have the words to express all the things I'm feeling on this #October7 as the bombardment of #Gaza continues and hostages continue to languish. I'm going to stay quiet and let others speak. Here's a sign from #StandingTogether.

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Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 7d

Chag #sukkot sameach!

The window of a sukkah looks out on autumn trees and sunlight. Hanging decorations adorn.

Two sparkly pumpkins, a lulav and etrog, and a coffee. In a sukkah.

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