Odessa’s Oddities & Curiosities | Week of 4/22/24

Dear friends,

I’ve been thinking about a new logo for this newsletter — I didn’t even realize I could change the logo. I was lulled into complacency with that grey house motif. I spent too long messing around on Canva — trying to figure something out, but admittedly, graphic design is not my strong suit. Chat GPT-4, here I come. Here’s the first logo…(currently up on the website)

It’s delightfully mysterious, but I think a little too busy for my logo. If anyone has logo ideas, please let me know.

This week in Daily Themes, we’ve been learning how to write about the recently dead — which is lovely and morbidly specific. So I’ve been reading a lot of obituaries this week and spending time on the Personal Life section of Wikipedia pages.

So I honor some recently dead: “Maurice El Medioni, Pianist Who Fused Jewish and Arab Music, Dies at 95” and the indelible and brilliant Faith Ringgold. I learned that (the not-so-recently dead) Leonard Cohen was a cheerleader in high school! Did you know that? I mean, “You Want It Darker” doesn’t really give rah rah vibes, you know. Did Leonard Cohen carry pom poms? Did he hoist his fellow cheerleaders into the air? Was he, himself, Leonard Cohen, a flyer? He was also Student Council President. Mr. who by fire, who by water also arranged school dances. Gave speeches in auditoriums. What was Leonard Cohen’s slogan when he ran for president? Hallelujah, vote for me.

Leonard Cohen was also our partial focus in Modern Jewish Poets this week. Abigail and I presented on his song “If It Be Your Will” — in echo of “y’hi ratzon”. We also read/discussed Bob Dylan in class. I was not particularly a Dylan fan before, but he’s definitely grown on me. He reminds me of Dan Bern (which I know is semi-sacrilegious because Dan Bern was probably inspired by Bob Dylan, but sue me!)

I was sitting in Slifka eating a Tootsie Roll. Then I was sitting at Slifka, thinking what the fuck is a Tootsie Roll? Cue Wikipedia deepdive. As Wikipedia put it “candy has qualities similar to both caramels and taffy without being exactly either confection.” The Tootsie Roll was invented by a Jew! Leo Hirschfield, and he named the Tootsie Roll after his daughter (her name was Clara but nicknamed Tootsie?)

There were a couple pieces I read that made me cry. To be honest, I cried a lot this week. For a whole lot of reasons. But I do love a good therapeutic cry. This essay on Pablo Neruda’s poetry. And this super gooey and adorable essay on a rom-com and a real-life love story.

I’ve been spending a lot of time listening to The Tortured Poets Department (which was a surprise double album!!!??!?!?!) Taylor, I am so grateful for this spectacular bday present. I’ll be honest…I was initially not that impressed by the first couple songs I listened to — there were definitely a few cringy lyrics here and there. But a full listen revealed so much angsty goodness. And I really needed that angst this week.

And yes, I’m 21! Thank you for all the birthday messages! I felt very loved ❤️ 

Passover begins tonight at sundown, and all I can think about is the hostages and the Palestinians of Gaza. The fire of liberation has never felt so poignant. I highly recommend reading this essay in the NYT from the co-founder of the Hadar Institute. R’Held reminds us that “perhaps, having suffered, you are tempted to learn indifference or even hate. Refuse that temptation. Let your memory teach you empathy and your suffering teach you love.”

Osah shalom aleinu. May the divine feminine force of the universe create peace onto all her people. Chag sameach.

With love & curiosity,

Odessa