Addendum to an Update
Trying something new here with some music and words.
Hey fam,
Ever since I started this newsletter lo so many years ago, I’ve been putting music and reading recommendations at the bottom. This week, though I finally went too far, leading Substack’s interface to put up its hands and say, “Whoa there, calm right down now.”
What’s a person to do with limited space and too much to share?
Send a second email, of course.
So, this week, I’m trying something new. This morning, you got the weekly update essay. It includes some audio recommendations. And now, surprise!, you get a bonus email with more reading and audio I found helpful or challenging or worthwhile.
I’d love to hear what you think of this new format:
But enough about logistics! Here are some things to read or listen to.
Yours,
Mikhal
Just a reminder that Welcome to the Chaos Palace is a space uplifting ADHD, queerness, Judaism, and how to navigate the mess that is the world. You can support my work by sharing this post with others, getting a paid subscription, or just clicking the like button. That makes the algorithm send my words to other folks who might enjoy ‘em. Or just read! That’s huge, too, and very appreciated! Thank you!
English-language Reading
A whopping 17 States across the U.S. are demanding that special needs kids shouldn’t get specialized education plans. Call your senators and tell them to vote NO on this nonsense.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I shared an old essay about love and gayness:
The latest in the Dreams of Chaos series is a Q&A with
, an incredible poet and storyteller:
The state of Montana says legislators don’t get to decide what gender someone is!
- wonders what kind of leaders we deserve, and if maybe we might be the leaders actually.
- asks for some nuance and reminds us that if we really want to change the paradigm of rape culture we have to change the way we think about it. TW: Discusses sexual assault
- writes about defying the gender binary by being themself.
- reads between the lines of Maggie Haberman’s work to see what Trump cares about and explains why Elon Musk’s DOGE is contradictory and nonsensical.
- manages to articulate something I’ve struggled with for so many years — a deep and enduring love of a land, despite the violence of the political structures and the history that has (continues to) unfold. All of his writing is beautiful, and this essay is likewise breathtaking.
Hebrew-language Reading
Shira Barbibai-Shaham uses bell hook’s theoretical frameworks to draw important conclusions about the horrifying political theater perpetrated by Hamas as the organization releases hostages with grotesque fanfare.
Shmulik Lederman suggests a new way of reshaping the Middle East, one that puts peace at the center instead of a false “solution” of managing the endless conflict. Note: I always tend to like solutions that are concrete, relying on actual tangible incentives and not feel-good latter-day prophecies. That’s what I liked about this, despite the audacity of the proposal. It’s a sober piece that faces many challenges head-on.
The Rosa Media Magazine reports on the forced eviction of Bedouins from their unofficial villages in the Negev.
Moran Sharir writes an opinion piece for Haaretz (gift link here) uses H.N Bialik’s iconic poem “On the Slaughter” to underscore the depths of ongoing abandonment and destruction of the last 15 months — culminating with the unspeakable horror-show of the Bibas and Lifshitz bodies’ release.
Music & Podcasts
Anyone who wants to be an ally to trans folks should start by listening to
& absolutely demolish the Cass report in these three episodes of Maintenance Phase:This very lovely album by Batya Levine is a spiritual journey:
Wanna bop around and feel great about life? This new(ish) record by pal Sammy Rae & the Friends is for you:
Chappell Roan at the Grammys:
I’m most interested in notable (translated) quotes/excerpts from Hebrew pieces, fwiw.
Thank you for reading (and sharing) my piece :)