I only make chicken soup once or twice a year. It isn’t hard—it’s just tedious, if you do it the traditional way. Boil the chicken in the pot, skim off the fat, skim off more fat, sheesh didn’t I get it all yet? Then add the other ingredients and simmer. Make the matzo balls in a separate pot, then drop them in. Haul out the chicken, leaving some bits for the soup, trying to get all the bones out. You won’t get all the bones out. Eat carefully. But also eat a lot of it, because homemade chicken soup is amazing, especially my mother’s recipe.

We hosted my family’s Passover seder this year, which meant I guided ten people through my slightly abbreviated version of the Haggadah and then served them soup, among other things (did my sister think my mother had made that soup? Yes she DID). It went pretty well. My other sister brought gefilte fish, which I am happy to confirm I still loathe, but my parents and sisters love it so it got eaten.

There was some debate in Jewish publications about whether it was appropriate to celebrate Passover this year, given the state of the world. I respect the thought process behind that, but here’s the thing: During the pandemic, we didn’t see people. Not for Passover, not for Easter (we’re interfaith), not for Hanukkah or Christmas or anyone’s birthdays. My father-in-law died on Easter Sunday 2020 and we couldn’t hold a memorial service for a year. If we’re lucky enough to be able to celebrate events in person now, we’re going to do that. And we’re going to hope for better, calmer days ahead for everyone.

So, here’s what I’m doing lately. I do the occasional fan panels for an all-virtual con called ConTinual and it’s a lot of fun. Here I am talking about Buffy Season 2 and about Good Omens. My next published short story will be in an all-dragons anthology from WolfSinger Publications, and I’ll update that link when the pub date is official. And I’ll be officially receiving the Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award at the AJL conference in June.

Also, I’ve started volunteering for Strong Women-Strange Worlds, a regular virtual showcase for female/nonbinary/underrepresented gender authors of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. It’s a really nice group, and if the above describes you, sign up to do a reading! They’re always looking for more people.

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World Central Kitchen is back in Gaza, so it seems like a good time to give them a donation. Other suggestions follow, in no particular order:

Project HOPE offers training and support to health care workers and health care services around the world; it’s helping coordinate delivery of needed equipment, supplies, and services to people in Israel and Gaza

The Alliance for Middle East Peace is a coalition that works to build trust between Israelis and Palestinians; it’s creating emergency shelters, collecting donations, and offering support in other ways

The UN’s World Food Programme supplies food and vouchers to people in Gaza and the West Bank

IsraAID is the largest humanitarian aid group in Israel, according to its site, and it responds to crises worldwide; it’s helping with humanitarian activities and mental health support for Israeli evacuees

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund has been sending food, water, and medical supplies into Gaza

Sulala Animal Rescue is the only animal rescue shelter in Gaza; it’s raising funds through Animals Australia

National Council of Jewish Women is a women- and family-centered social justice group that’s raising funds to provide basic needs, counseling, and advocacy for women and families impacted by the Hamas attack

Women Wage Peace is a women-led, nonpartisan grassroots group that advocates for a diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Soroka Medical Center is handling the emergency medical response in Israel

The JDC helps Jews and others in crisis around the world

Save the Children is trying to get needed supplies into Gaza

American Friends of Magen David Adom is Israel’s first aid/first responder service

United Hatzalah is a volunteer emergency medical services organization that operates across Israel

Americares is trying to assist with people’s medical and mental health needs in Israel and in Gaza

The International Committee of the Red Cross is providing medical supplies and household items to people in Gaza and trying to advocate for hostages still being held in Gaza