JL;DR

Rachel Tzvia Back, in conversation with Moment Editor Sarah Breger, delves into her memoir "The Dark-Robed Mother," providing a candid reflection on the interplay between poetry, faith, mental health, and motherhood. Back shares her experiences of living with high-functioning depression, a condition that often remains hidden, and its generational impact. She weaves her personal narrative with mythology and Jewish heritage, particularly reinterpreting the myth of Demeter and Persephone within the context of Jewish lineage and Israel's historical backdrop. The discussion highlights how language and creativity can offer solace and enable personal and communal transformation amidst adversity.