What I Didn’t Ask For on My Birthday—But Need to Now

Last month was my birthday. I had wanted to send something out that day—but I hesitated. I wasn’t sure this was the right place to share my wish with you.

But then I remembered: My ongoing message is about using the reality of our mortality to focus on who and what matter most. And with that in mind, I must share my oh-so-relevant wish.

A few days ago, I helped prepare a woman for burial as part of my duties with the local Chevra Kadisha (the Jewish burial society that performs ritual care for burial). These sacred acts keep me grounded in how precious and finite life truly is. Most of the women I care for are frail and have lived long, full lives. That’s the way it should be.

But for so many children in Gaza, living even one more day is not at all guaranteed.

My birthday wish is this:

☑️ That there be an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
☑️ That the killing and starvation stop.
☑️ That every hostage and displaced person returns home or can build a new home.
☑️That Palestinians and Israelis move toward a just and lasting peace.

Before I co-founded Willow, I led Peace it Together, a peace-building organization that brought Palestinian and Israeli youth together for dialogue and filmmaking. I still believe that the only way to end this tragedy is not through force, but through diplomacy and education.

So in honor of my birthday, I’m inviting you to join me in supporting Standing Together, a grassroots movement of Palestinians and Jews in Israel working side by side to build a future rooted in justice, equality, and shared humanity.

In the face of devastation, they are:

• Demanding a hostage deal and an end to the government’s war of annihilation

• Delivering aid to Gaza

• Organizing mass protests

• Protecting Palestinian communities from Israeli settler violence

• Mobilizing toward a future where every child’s life is sacred

I’ve chosen to become an ambassador for their current crowdfunding campaign—because I believe this to be  the kind of work that needs our support right now.

They don’t receive public funding and rely solely on individuals like you and me. Here’s what your donation can do:

• $50 prints 100 signs calling for an end to the war.

• $100 supports grassroots organizing in a city.

• $1,000 sends a busload of activists to protect at-risk communities.

And right now, every dollar is being matched, doubling your impact. 

The campaign runs until August 17. You can donate here. USD, CAD, GBP or EUR are all acceptable. 

More information about Canadian Friends for Standing Together can be found here. 

I know there’s a lot to care about right now. But this movement, and all the brave souls standing up and working together to show there is another way, give me hope that we don’t have to accept the current horror. That a different future is possible. One where life is sacred, peace is real, and all people are free.

And if this organization is not where your heart is at, please donate to something that will go toward ending this genocide and moving toward justice and peace. 

Thank you for reading—and for being part of this vision.