Picking Up Stones: an american jew wakes to a nightmare

Created and performed by Sandra Laub, “Picking Up Stones” is a plea to remember humanity…especially in the worst of times. This show stresses one simple fact: regardless of why people become divided—religion, politics, other staunch beliefs, socioeconomic status, and so on—the people on the other side of that divide are humans too. We cannot forget that, no matter what. Part history lesson, part personal experience, and part call to action—but all emotionally raw, bare, and vulnerable—“Picking Up Stones” centres around a proud Jewish-American woman as she comes to terms with her Jewish identity after the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, and with the Israeli government’s response. Without ignoring or discrediting generational trauma, fear, anger, and even how good revenge can feel, this play aims to model compassion, foster empathy, and demonstrate that we all lose when it comes to war.