Esther Perel Instagram – There are many ways in which we are collectively and individually processing the war in Israel and Gaza. Social Media is just one of them, but what happens on these platforms has an outsized influence and corrosive impact on how we experience the events of the world. In this month’s newsletter, I focus on getting out of short-form posts and into long-form correspondences—with friends, family members, and strangers of all backgrounds. I’ve been reaching out to Israeli and Jewish friends from around the globe, Palestinian and Arab friends, and more. Despite all that is splitting us, we are trying to really see each other and connect through our humanity. We are trying to root ourselves in our relationships. The reality of our situations is very different. Nonetheless, we talk about grief and how our feelings and opinions aren’t binary. We talk about trauma, crimes against humanity, the right to safety and dignity, and the urgent need for bilateral peace efforts. We talk about our loved ones, friends of friends, and strangers who are experiencing the hell of war on the ground—and how we are trying to help them. It is difficult but one thing I know: We are not turning away from this conflict, we are turning toward each other. As Peter Levine says, “Trauma is what we hold inside in the absence of an empathic witness.” Link in my bio to read more from this month’s newsletter.