You can’t make genocide palatable.
Perhaps this is, in small part, why it has proven very difficult to let the atrocities in Gaza occupy the mainstream here in the US. But if you are paying attention right now, then you know there is no desensitizing yourself. There is a deep, deep reserve of grief and outrage inside of many of us.
But humans are funny creatures. Capable of both/and. For every bit of anger, helplessness, emptiness, we make room for empowerment, organizing, joy. We must.
The movement for a ceasefire and a free Palestine has not gained traction through traditional media outlets. Rather, it has been the work of boots-on-the-ground protests and occupations. Of course, every successful movement must sustain itself. Preempting hopelessness by creating spaces for a dialogue around Palestine rooted in joy and reflection is critical.
The act of “urgentcraft,” often utilized in the context of publishing, refers to using one's creative labor to serve as a sort of creative first responder. How can you immediately deploy your craft to reframe and disrupt common narratives? This philosophy can and should be applied to the culinary arts.
Enter the bake sale. Natasha Pickowicz, acclaimed pastry chef and author of More Than Cake, has illustrated that this icon of Americana is an extremely powerful tool for activism. Born out of her pioneering work in organizing mass bake sales to benefit Planned Parenthood following the 2016 election, Pickowicz’s work has roused a wave of bake sales in times of crisis and social upheaval. Inspired by this philosophy, on March 3rd, the Brooklyn restaurant Dinner Party (a lauded experiment in communal dining and celebration) hosted a community bake sale. Proceeds went to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) — the largest on-the-ground humanitarian organization in Gaza. We discussed the bake sale with Chef and Owner Cami Jetta.
“It was a great day,” Jetta recalls. “I feel like I made so many friends and to make friends in organizing spaces is what keeps these movements alive. To see the neighborhood come out and contribute was the best. People want to eat pastries, and they also want to feel good, and it’s okay for activism to coexist with joy.” she continues, "I think despair can be really dangerous to activist movements and it feels like bake sales are a way to gather together in righteous anger, but also in joy and celebration. I think that any movement for change really needs joy and happiness and celebration because at the end of the day, that is what people respond to, and that's what keeps people coming out, a sense of togetherness.”
Roommates Sarah Allen and Meron Ippolito recently contributed baked goods to Archestratus Books and Foods’ Bake Sale Without Borders, with funds going to Doctors Without Borders.
“We came up with the idea of tahini cookies because tahini is a big part of making hummus, which is a big part of Palestinian culture,” Ippolito says. “We weren't so sure we were capable of something intricate, but maybe we could make something that pays homage to that.”
“There's always gonna be a million things vying for our attention and the way that we spend our time. We place so much value on that, right?” says Allen. “I think taking the time to get the ingredients, make something, make sure it tastes good, and then deliver it by hand was a powerful act of remembrance and realization that you can give a few hours of your day to a cause that's ultimately so much greater than yourself. We got there and there was this long communal table. The line was out the door and there were so many people dropping off and buying things. Everyone was together.”
“Food is a source of comfort. There is comfort in seeing that other people care. At times these past seven months, it feels as if you're alone, and that there's nothing that you can do.” Ippolito adds. “It was nice to be able to create something, to make something with your hands instead of just posting. It felt actionable.”
In this era, our attention spans are our currency. Baking, in its demand for intentionality and slowness, is not only a significant act of rebellion but an act of love, remembrance, and solidarity.
Palestinians face an ongoing famine. Acknowledging the sanctity of access to food, cooking, and dining should encourage us to donate our time, money, and thought. When we share food, our basic needs reveal themselves and our universal humanity stands before us, it becomes undeniable. A constant recognition of the humanity of every person is crucial in the fight against desensitization. Not one of us is removed from this genocide. Recognizing this truth is what will see us through.
As we enter a phase of this catastrophe in which voices may grow hoarse, when helplessness or burnout may set in, let the bake sale serve as a reminder that even on a small scale, communities can be forged and change can be made outside of traditional power structures. Let the bake sale serve as a reminder of food’s power to coalesce, to preserve culture and memory, to shift trends, to open hearts, to sustain life.
A very abridged list of Palestinian bakeries, restaurants and upcoming bake sales!
Drop suggestions in the comments!
NYC/ NJ
Bake Sale Saturday, June 22- Archestratus Books
Ayat- locations in East Village, Bay Ridge, Staten Island, Ditmas Park (also in Allentown, PA and Princeton, NJ)
SAN FRANCISCO
Bake Sale Friday, June 14- 18 Reasons
SEATTLE
Yalla- Middle Eastern restaurant in solidarity with Palestine, hosting frequent fundraisers
BOSTON
DMV
PARIS
Follow Bake Sale for Palestine Paris
LONDON
Bunhead Bakery- Palestinian-owned, some proceeds go to food, aid, shelter, press equipment via the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate