Gila Axelrod

New York

Editor in Chief at New Voices

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Articles

A Chronically Ill Holiday Ritual

2 months ago | lilith.org | Gila Axelrod

This Passover, my girlfriend and I were going to celebrate with my family in Philadelphia. We planned to sing at my grandfather’s birthday party, and then I would co-lead our two big seders with my father. But last Friday, Hannah walked into our room to find me in bed, pale and coughing, surrounded by snotty tissues and pills, staring dejectedly at my plane ticket. She wasn’t shocked—my chronic illness has been progressing for over 10 years, and at this point, my body is unpredictable.
Diet Culture Has Permeated the Holiest Spaces of Judaism

Mar 21, 2024 | newvoices.org | Gila Axelrod

At 10 years old, I decided it was time for me to start fasting on Yom Kippur. While most people don’t start fasting until age 13, I had a craving for spirituality and wanted to do whatever I could to get closer to God. Based on what I’d heard from adults, fasting seemed to be the most extreme, most valuable way that I could connect to God and Judaism. For a few years, I felt the intended effects.
From Campus to Kibbutz: Vivian Silver’s legacy as a Jewish student leader

Nov 21, 2023 | newvoices.org | Gila Axelrod

For over a month, 74-year-old Vivian Silver was presumed to have been among those held hostage in Gaza. Last week, it was discovered that Vivian was killed in the Hamas attack on October 7th, at Kibbutz Beeri. A lifelong peace activist, Vivian began her activism as a founding leader of the Jewish Student Press Service – the organization now known as New Voices Magazine.
All Her Things

Oct 31, 2023 | lilith.org | Gila Axelrod

PHOTO: MILADA VIGEROVA ON UNSPLASH We put it off for as long as possible. “It’s the first week of school,” Yoav wrote. “I have a quiz this week,” AJ said. “We can’t—there’s a holiday the next day,” Kayla reminded us. We conjured up every excuse to delay the inevitable, and typed them in our group chat.
Choosing to Grieve

Jul 28, 2023 | newvoices.org | Gila Axelrod

On Erev Tisha B’av this Wednesday night, I entered a stranger’s apartment. “Good grief,” they said, ushering me through the door. At first, I was thrown off. I quickly remembered that some people have a custom of not greeting each other on Tisha B’av, the holiday that marks not only the Temples’ destruction, but a series of devastating tragedies throughout Jewish history.