Chag Purim Sameach?
Urgent request. Help stop a real-life tyrant and his vindictive "prime minister"
I had planned on sending you all a fun email for Purim — sharing this Megillah reading that I did back in 2016/5776 for OneShul (z”l) — which I do at the bottom of this email.
But Purim is a little too real this year.
We have an actual tyrant actively harming people, and Elon Haman pushing him to do more.
There’s a specific direct action you can take TODAY to help stop this.
CALL YOUR SENATORS.
I'm asking you to please call your Senators TODAY and ask them to vote AGAINST the Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government.
Please read this article about what the Continuing Resolutionand what it will do to the residents of DC (like me): https://wtop.com/dc/2025/03/dc-leaders-in-budget-panic-saying-bill-in-congress-would-financially-devastate-the-city/
I have NEVER wanted a government shutdown, but if this passes DC will lose $1B from our budget --- that is paid for by DC citizens. It doesn't help cut the federal budget in anyway. It's only to punish the citizens of the District for being Black and Blue.
And let’s be real. This CR is only funding the dismantling of the federal government and our democracy while funding hateful anti-trans displays days before Trans Day of Visibility.
I don't get a vote in congress, because I live in DC. But if you live in one of the 50 states you do. Please use that privilege and call them -- and ask your friends to do the same.
Find your senators' contact information and call their DC AND local office. Tell them you are their constituent and you want them to vote AGAINST the Continuing Resolution and to make sure there are no forced cuts to the DC budget in what does pass.
Senate Contact Finder: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Purim is Feeling Real
Purim story may not be historical fact, but the experience of fighting tyrants who wish us harm is. While you are calling your senators — maybe also mention you are horrified by what is happening to Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia student illegally detained by ICE. Regardless of your opinion about Israel/Palestine or the student protests — this is a flagrant violation of the first amendment. No Jew should stand on the side of unlawfully detaining people for speaking out.
Purim is still Fun
That was a lot. I know. Welcome to my brain right now.
I hope you have a joyful Purim, even as it’s all feeling very real right now.
Read the Megillah
Check out the 👑 Emoji Megillah 👑 from Sefaria, for a fun way to read the text: https://www.sefaria.org/Esther.1?ven=english|Emoji_Megillah&lang=bi
Magic/k/q up your Hamantaschen
Watch Ketzirah make a Sacred Fool of Herself
Sending you all love and support in these increasingly difficult times. And I’d love to for you to join me at my upcoming class on building Spiritual Resilience. I know I need it.
P.S. if you are wondering about the newsletter name change — I promise I’ll talk about that in the Nisan newsletter.