The past 36 hours have been filled with many intense emotions. Yes, democracy worked, and the election results show that a majority of those who voted chose Donald Trump as the next President. However, that does not mean I will sit quietly over the next two or four years (including midterm elections). I am deeply concerned about what may happen to issues that I and the Jewish community hold as most important.
I am worried about reproductive rights, immigration, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and antisemitism.
I feel like I am a trifecta of risk. I am particularly vulnerable as a woman, a lesbian, and a Jew. Each of these identities shapes my perspective, and I am alarmed that the threats and divisive rhetoric we’ve heard could materialize.
Women’s rights are at risk—from reproductive rights to the countless challenges women face in being seen as equals or being viewed as capable leaders.
As a married lesbian, I am concerned that the rights Jodi and I have could be threatened. Even though we live in California, where our rights as a married couple are now enshrined in the state constitution, I worry that federal actions could still undermine those protections.
I am also troubled by the growing rise of antisemitism and Christian Nationalism, ideologies with strong views against Jewish people and anyone outside their own religious circles. If you have time, please read this article for more context: What Christian Nationalism Has in Store for Jews and Other Religious Minorities.
With all of this anxiety—on these issues and more, including immigration—what do I do?
First, I allow myself to feel. I take time to mourn, to be angry, to feel scared, and to sit with my sadness. But after that, I must channel my energy into action. Being here for all of you is incredibly important to me. It means so much to know that you feel comfortable reaching out to share your fears, concerns, and questions about what’s next. I may not have all the answers, but I know this: we are in this together. We will take on the hard work of rebuilding our country into a place we can all respect and feel proud of.
This won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight. As the article shows, we didn’t reach this point quickly, and repairing the damage will require long-term effort. If, at any point, we find it’s truly too dangerous, then yes, we will need to consider a Plan B. But for now, our Plan A is to fight for the country our grandparents and great-grandparents envisioned—a place where dreams can come true. I want to believe that this dream is still possible.
So let’s take a deep breath, name our emotions, and find moments of comfort together as we face this journey ahead.
