I have an intermediate level of Hebrew and am constantly trying to improve my vocab and understanding of current events.
I have been in Israel for a month and unfortunately, with the raging fires last week, my newest word is Hatzata/arson.
Over the past 18 months, words cemented into the vernacular include Chatufim /hostages, Mefunim/evacuees, Minharot/ tunnels, Iska/deal, Rashlanut/negligence.
From previous conflicts, my treasury of words includes Hasata/incitement, Haslama/escalation, Tzalaf/sniper, D’kira/stabbing, Chomrei Nefetz/explosives, Hafara/violation and more.
All words, that if I was learning another language at an equivalent standard, I doubt would be in my Google Translate history. I can’t imagine practising Spanish for a fun trip to Costa Rica, and needing to know the words for emotional rehabilitation, conscription or safe room.
The main Hebrew expression that is really essential for life in Israel in 2025 is Gam ve Gam. Literally it translates to ‘also and also’, but really means ‘both’. In its simplest form it refers to dual selection–Would you like ice cream or chocolate cake? Reply: ‘Gam ve Gam’, meaning both please.
Often the inference is dichotomous–Are you sad to finish your holiday or excited to go home? Reply: ‘Gam ve Gam’, meaning both things simultaneously.
In the context of this drawn-out war, Gam ve Gam is a concept at the core of Israelis managing their grief, anxieties and frustrations while still having the capacity to live full and contented lives. I spoke to a group of psychologists who live and work in the Otef region where the atrocities of Oct 7 were perpetrated. I asked them how they are able to breath and go about daily life when they have suffered such intense loss themselves, are engulfed in so much torment and sorrow through their patients, and continue to live the nightmare of waiting for hostages that they know to be released.
As if on cue, they simultaneously replied – it’s all a life of ‘Gam ve Gam’. One went on to detail that her heart literally aches after sessions with patients, yet she goes on to celebrate milestones, applauds proudly at her daughter’s musical recitals and even enjoys days at the beach. I nodded in understanding and expanded, ‘Yes, on the same day you can be consumed by gloom and worry, yet rejoice and dance at a wedding.’ She looked at me with sad eyes, probably filled with envy for my naivete and replied, ‘Gam ve Gam isn’t a daily experience, not even hourly, for us. The conflicting emotions of Gam ve Gam play out every minute, second by second. The penetrating sadness is never more than a breath away, yet we need to sing, watch Netflix, do the laundry and go to Pilates.’
The Israelis are experiencing Gam ve Gam on a national level. Through this protracted war, families are struggling with the burden of Miluim/reserve duty and sending their children ‘lesharet’/to serve in the army, people are spending hours volunteering, attending demonstrations, going to shiva homes of fallen soldiers, listening to sad songs of the times, crying at Hostage Square. And yet the theatres are staging musicals, the Tel Aviv bars are full, tennis courts are booked out and when the Houthis aren’t sending missiles, the lines at the airport are long.
The extraordinary Rabbi Perez, whose son was murdered by Hamas, and has become a symbol of great strength and faith, speaks of the ability of contradictory emotions to exist in our souls. He has inspired many with his words that ‘both can be’. Gam ve Gam.
Idan Amedi, a famous singer and TV star, and now most admired as a true war hero who was seriously injured in the current war, released an energising and deep song called Gam ve Gam over 10 years ago. After months spent recovering from his injuries, he recently performed at a sell-out concert in Tel Aviv and there were certainly many painful tears shed alongside the excitement of his fans–Gam ve Gam, as he portended in his song a decade earlier.
I long for the day when the first association for Gam ve Gam will be ‘Beach and coffee–Gam ve Gam’. And that my new list of vocabulary will include lots of synonyms of tranquillity, fun and growth. In the meantime, let’s salute the indomitable resilience and brave spirit of the Israeli people, and pray for peace. Am Israel Chai.
