The Bequeathment of Fig & Vine

In this extremely bitter sweet season of life, one of my post dreaded tasks was finding the words to say goodbye to this beautiful magazine that I created only two years ago. Fig & Vine wasn't simply an extra circular to me, but an extension of myself and an escape from a world that didn't want my voice to be heard. 

Fig & Vine came to fruition during a time when we as a community were being pushed out, harassed, abused, and silenced. Although our fight is far from over, that's what makes us so incredible. Jews have this amazing ability to hold so much pain and sadness in one hand, and all this joy and love in another. We know how to dance through our grief and honor our fallen with love and light. We as a people are more resilient than ever given credit for, and nothing inspires me more. 

I’ve learned more from all of you than from any class I attended over the past four years. Whether it's unmitigated kindness, unwavering bravery in the face of hatred, a sense of family that outlasts any kind of antisemitism we face, or how to make a 6-strand challah. This community has not only made me a more educated and involved Jew, but a better person. 

Despite the bitterness of this goodbye, I couldn't be prouder of Maya and how she's grown as a writer into an incredible editor and leader. I met Maya when she was a quiet freshman and watched her grow into a confident, silly, amazing woman. Leaving Fig & Vine in her hands is the easy part; saying goodbye is not. But, I would like to formally bequeath Fig & Vine to Maya and wish her luck for this next stage of our beloved magazine. 

I want to take this moment to remind our lovely readers and family of the meaning behind the name “Fig & Vine”: the biblical quote from Micah 4:4- “They shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid.” 

I hope Fig & Vine did just that: give people a space to write and feel and express without being afraid. This beautiful Jewish community at UCSB has given me that in spades. More than anything, I hope Fig & Vine gave just a slice of that back.  

I will always remember Fig & Vine, not only because of the Fig branch tattooed on my arm in honor of the magazine, but because it showed me that everyone has a story to tell. I owe so much of my happiness over the past few years to this amazing publication and watching it grow and change is something I am most excited for.

I love you all forever.

Officially teary-eyed and logging out of Wix, 

Lily G. Karofsky 

Creator and former editor-in-chief of Fig & Vine Magazine