Dear Community,
After taking a month off from sending these newsletters, to focus on planning and film production, we're very happy to be back. We have a lot of important work to do together.
It's time to ask the big questions: What kind of world do we want? And what kind of people do we want to be in that world?
As we enter this next phase of the pandemic, with the return to school, the most important election of our lives, and so many uncertainties -- but also opportunities to reset -- these questions of who we want to be, and what kind of world we want to rebuild, need to be at the core of our thoughts and actions. They are the foundation of how we move forward.
Today, we're asking for your help. We have only done this once before. Our small and dedicated team at Let it Ripple is committed to creating powerful films, interactive virtual events, newsletters with curated and timely content (including dispatches that we've been editing with my brother Dr. Jordan Shlain during Covid), and other means of engagement that present the science, historical context, wisdom, and inspiration we need to navigate this unknown terrain.
Our work is supported entirely by foundations and individuals like you. If you find what we do valuable, please consider a tax-deductible donation. We'd be so grateful for your support.
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Your donation will go directly toward:
- A short film in production about the pandemic, racial justice, and rebuilding our future - both individually and collectively - all geared to inspire people to vote.
- A program to partner with PBS stations all over the country to offer our films for free to students who don't have wi-fi as we enter this challenging school year.
- Our ZoomChallahBakes, which have grown throughout the pandemic and bring together people from all over the country and globe in this ritual for community and wellbeing, featuring incredible special guests each bake.
- Our regular newsletters, like the one below, which take a lot of time, research, editing, and love to curate and produce.
- An upcoming four-week Zoom interactive program for individuals, couples, and families to integrate a weekly screen-free day into your life to guard against screen soul burnout.
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In this newsletter, we have a new dispatch from my brother, Dr. Jordan Shlain, a brand new 4 min video about our ZoomChallahBakes, a fantastic ZoomChallahBake coming up on Aug 28, and many other things to watch, read, and listen to, as well as important ways to keep our democracy strong.
xo,
Tiffany, Sawyer, Jenny
The Let it Ripple Film Studio
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The #ZoomChallahBake - Watch Video and Join Us This Friday Aug 28th
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Watch our brand new 4 minute highlight video of what the ZoomChallahBakes have meant throughout the first five months of the pandemic. We started them right at the start of lockdown, as an experiment in bringing people together through ritual.
They have turned into something much larger than we imagined. These bakes have become a platform that brings together everyone -- Jewish, not Jewish, expert bakers, people who have never made challah -- to have deep conversation, laugh and connect with others, all while kneading dough on Zoom with hundreds of others. This is the power of ritual. And during the pandemic, when it feels like everything is blurring together, ritual -- and having something to look forward to and ground us each week -- is more important than ever.
Join us on August 28 for our next challah bake (everyone's invited) where we will be discussing the the power of ritual outside of religion. We'll have special guests Paul Golin from the Society for Humanistic Judaism and Rabbi Denise Handlarski from Secular Synagogue. Jake Cohen, author of the forthcoming cookbook Jew-ish, will be on hand to show us how to braid round challah for the High Holidays.
We can't wait to see you Friday. We missed you! Learn more and sign up here.
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Dr. Jordan Shlain's Latest Dispatch #12
Science Thrives In The Light
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Behold a picture of a family in Oakland California 102 years ago during the 1918 pandemic.
A recent study of the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic by a member of the Federal Reserve board and economists at the Fed and M.I.T. compared cities that imposed stringent public health measures — including school and church closings, public gathering bans, quarantines and restricted business hours — with cities that opened faster and imposed fewer restrictions. The more stringent cities not only had fewer deaths but experienced “a relative increase in economic activity from 1919 onward.”
“Humankind cannot bear very much reality.” So said the poet T.S. Eliot.
How long will this last? When will a vaccine be ready? Are schools really going to be virtual?And when will they open? Can’t we just get back to normal? Sadly, no. Continue reading...
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Rerelease of our 50/50 Film for the 100th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote
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Imagine if this image from our film 50/50: The Ten Thousand-Year History of Women in Power was Mount Rushmore. As the suffrage movement celebrates its 100th birthday we've rereleased our 2016 film about getting to 50/50 representation. We've come a long way . . . but there's still a ways to go. Watch 50/50 here.
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Artists for #BidenHarris2020
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I am proud to be part of a coalition of artists that will be putting out work in the days leading up to the election in support of #BidenHarris2020. I know Kamala Harris from her days in the Bay Area and she is fierce, brilliant, and I am thrilled she is part of this movement to get our country back on the right track. Please follow ArtsforBiden IG and FB and share with others. The art above is by the amazing @CarrieMaeWeems. The group is headed up by writer/filmmaker and someone I love collaborating with, Tanya Selvaratnam, @TanyaAuthor.
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Vote Early and Support the US Postal Service
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Vote as early as possible! Please visit iwillvote.com for voter registration and information. We also need a healthy, functional postal service to ensure a fair election. Do your part to support this vital institution. Learn six ways to help here. And to track your ballot, be sure to sign up for BallotTrax.
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Talk Boring to Me with W. Kamau Bell
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This thoughtful, funny new animated series from W. Kamau Bell and filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth examines some of the most pressing issues we face in an engaging, accessible way. Watch here.
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This podcast about the secret history of the Cold War is fascinating. Highly recommend. Listen here.
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I loved my conversation with Paula Williams about Shame, Shabbat, and more on her Shamebooth podcast. Listen here.
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INN at Home: Racial Equity in Journalism
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The Institute for for Nonprofit News is hosting this vital online conference with lots of great speakers Sept 22-23. I'm especially excited to see Farai Chideya's keynote speech, Sept. 22 10 am PST/1 pm EST. She's been on a Board Member for Let it Ripple for years and we love her. Register here.
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Conversation with Davia Nelson for Dawn 2020
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I was part of a great event called DAWN produced by Reboot where the fabulous Davia Nelson from NPR's Kitchen Sisters interviewed me about creativity, technology and humanity. You can watch it here.
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Love on the Spectrum Show
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I've really been enjoying this Netflix series Love on the Spectrum about young adults with autism looking for love. I also finally watched the brilliant feature doc Life, Animated, which I had heard about for years. It is so fantastic. I have a 52 year old autistic cousin and my aunt and uncle Connie and Harvey Lapin have dedicated their lives to getting people with autism support. My producer Sawyer's son is also autistic. Both this series and doc give a powerful window into the realities of these families living with autism. Highly recommend.
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|  Ignite Your Confidence
I'm excited to participate in Karen Laos's online conference to help participants learn to speak up and be heard, August 24-31. Free registration is here.
| |  | Advancing Workplace Excellence Conference
Work is different now. I'm looking forward to speaking at this online conference to help us navigate the changed work world, Sept 29-Oct 1. Learn more and register here.
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"Compassion Is an Experience"
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I loved this piece on the renewed relevance of my father's book The Alphebet Versus the Goddess in the Ukiah Daily Journal. Read here.
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Life Is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler
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| Bruce Feiler is such a wonderful writer and thinker -- can't wait to read his new book. Seems perfect for these times where we are all in a state of transition.
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Don't Watch This by Michael Rosenblum
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| Michael Rosenblum's new book is so important, especially in a period when it feels like we're all on screens all the time.
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City at the Edge of Forever by Peter Lunenfeld
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| Peter Lunenfeld's book about the origins and many aspects of Los Angeles makes for fascinating reading.
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The Good Fight by Rick Smolan and Jennifer Erwitt
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| This wonderful book by Rick Smolan and Jennifer Erwitt on the American fight for justice has never been more timely. I was honored to contribute a chapter on women's equality. Though it was released a couple years ago, it feels incredibly relevant now.
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Just discovered Jensen McRae (thank you Marc Geiger) -- she is amazing. As he says, a cross between Tracy Chapman and Joni Mitchell. So stunning . . . listen here.
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Why female leaders are faring better than ‘wartime presidents’ against COVID-19
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This important article in Fortune explores the far-better outcomes seen in countries led by women.
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Need a drink? Rye on the Road
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Thinking of all my fellow Californians contending with the wildfires. And sending love and support to everyone near and far.
xo
Tiffany
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