Image by Jacqueline Nicholls

By Amichai Lau-Lavie September 7, 2017

Some family feuds, big or small, can sometimes take generations to heal. Some never do. Many could have been curbed or avoided. We keep our dirty laundry behind closed doors and often close our hearts to the mere idea of reconciliation with kin. Can we find ways to build again the bloodline bonds of trust? With the current state of divisive politics, this is truer now more than ever.

I really like my cousin A but this past November, after he announced on a mass-family listserv with pride and reason why he voted as he did, I haven’t been able to talk with him, let alone simply reach out. I know I could and should go higher but I’m so disappointed, hurt and mad. We will meet again as cousins do, and better if we were friendly – so why not take a breath and use this sacred time to try and defuse the feud with love?

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount