Filed under: Uncategorized
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/04/08/0408vorspan_edit.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=45
WE LET THE CHAMETZ IN
Israel turned 60 last year and so did I. I wish I could remember that first Seder in 1949. Imagine the joy of a state of our own! A state where Jews could finally be safe! My earliest memories of the Seder are enchanted. The smells of the food, the old people speaking Yiddish and my young cousins searching for the aficomen. The days prior to the Seder were spent feverishly searching for every crumb of chametz and joyously anticipating the great family celebration. Chametz is any grain or crumb that can become leavened. Chametz stands in contradiction to the matzah which is the unleavened bread that our forefathers hastily prepared before they were redeemed from Egyptian bondage. The unleavened Matzah stands proudly for the freedom from oppression. Chametz is it’s antithesis. I remember as a child, after every last speck was out of the house we were chametz-free, physically and spiritually — and free to fully enjoy the liberating experience of the Seder rituals and celebrate our liberation from the oppression of the Pharaoh.
That was in the 1950’s and 1960’s. We were young and idealistic. For Reform Jews Passover became intertwined with the Civil Rights movement. Israel was young, strong and idealistic. At the end of each Seder we repeated the words “ha shana ha ba be Yerushalem” …next year in Jerusalem. I’ve been able to fulfill that ancient longing often. I’ve visited Jerusalem five times.
I’ve had only one seder in Jerusalem. That was in 1968 and I was taking my college junior year in Jerusalem. I didn’t realize then that only a few miles away, that very night, we let the chametz in and it would stay and would ultimately turn my joy and anticipation of the seder into despair and foreboding. In Hebron, that Seder night 41 years ago, the fanatic settlement of the West Bank began when Rabbi Levinger and a small group of radical fundamentalists, entered the Palestinian City for Seder and refused to leave. Levinger was the founder of the right-wing ultra nationalist, Gush Enumin (block of the faithfull). He was Rabbi and teacher of Yitzak Rabin’s assassin. Gush Emunim’s mission was to occupy the recently captured (In the 6 Day War of 1967) West Bank, Gaza and Sinai so that they could never be returned to the Palestinians.
The Government of Israel asked the settlers to leave and when they refused the Government of Israel gave Rav Levinger and 120 of his followers lodging in a military compound.That was the beginning of Kiryat Arba. Today Kiryat Arba is the settlement of 5000 of the most virulent and vile of the Settlers. It is the home of the settlers who Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accussed of creating a “Pogrom” in Hebron. Today the commercial area of Hebron is a ghost town, controlled by the most hatefull settlers. The streets in the center of that once prosperous Palestinian city are now considerd by the Israeli Government as “Sterile’ . Sterile means no Palestinians are allowed on these raods. Those unfortunate Palestinians who had shops on these roads had them shuttered by the military authorities. And those shutters are now covered with graffitti ; the star of david and the rascist slogans of the fanatic, fundamental settlers. Those Palestinians whose houses front on this road now crawl out holes in the roofs and go out the back. I’ve been there. I’ve seen it.
In 1968 we let the chametz in and left it there to quietly leven and become a cancer destroying Judaism,and the souls of two people; the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Today there are 500,000 illegal settlers (in 1968 there were none) on the occupied West Bank and annexed East jerusalem. With the settlement enterprise came confiscated land, separate roads for Israelis and Palestinians, demolished homes, checkpoints, targeted assasinations, a 30’ concrete wall and electrified fences which imprison a people, and probably has doomed the hope of a two state solution- two States living side by side in peace and prosperity.
Without a two state option what are Israel’s options? Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said; “Without a two state compromise we are finished.” Soon there will be more non Jews than Jews in ‘the Jewish state’. If the non Jews do not have the same freedom and civil rights and are separated behind walls and fences, who can deny ‘Apartheid’? In AfriKaan ‘apartheid’ means ‘separation.’ Israel’s official policy is called separation and has resulted in the ‘sterile’ roads of Hebron. Apartheid is not an option for a state which calls itself The Jewish State.
So on this Seder when we remember our freedom from oppression I remember the Palestinian people whose spirit we have destroyed. I remember our children who we have turned into the oppresors. I remember the Seders before we let the Chametz in and hardened our hearts to the suffering of the other.
Next year in a shared Jerusalem? Not likely.
Filed under: Israel
Why Israel Is Losing the Liberals
The Hour
THE FORWARD
http://www.forward.com/articles/15097/
By Leonard Fein
Wed. Feb 04, 2009
Other articles by Leonard Fein
More in Forward Forum
You squirm, you wriggle, you deny, you denounce the methodology, but eventually there’s no escape: The data show quite decisively that here in America, Israel is considerably more popular among conservatives than among liberals.
The most recent confirmation of that comes from the highly regarded Global Attitudes Project of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press; their findings are based on a survey taken during the fighting in Gaza. (more…)
Filed under: Israel
Thank you once again Mr. Fein for expressing the silent sadness of many American Jews. This liberal American Jew, painfully, no longer considers Israel as ‘the Jewish State.’ Yes, a state for Jews but not a state that expresses the values of my Judaism. Yes, a state for Jews and others within the pre-1967 boundaries. No, not “The Jewish State” because that state makes a mockery of my Judaism by corrupting the concept of “Btzelem Elohim”; the precept that every person is created in God’s image and therefore every person is equal in the eyes of god. There’s no place in my Judaism for a state that has for 60 years discriminated against its own Arab citizens and for 40 years oppressed and slowly destroyed the spirit of the Palestinian people. My Judaism is a Judaism that confronts injustice and speaks truth to power. I suspect that many liberal Jews feel some of these same feelings but are not yet able to say not my ‘Jewish State’
Filed under: Ha'aretz | Tags: dialogue, gaza, Israel, jewish, muslim, Muslim-Jewish
Last update – 11:00 15/01/2009 Gaza violence chills promise of U.S. Muslim-Jewish dialogue By Reuters Tags: israel news, gaza, hamas The Gaza Strip violence has chilled a promising interfaith dialogue between Jews and Muslims in the United States, activists said on Wednesday. But Israel’s 20-day-old offensive against Hamas that has taken more than the lives of more than 1,000 Palestinians and 13 Israelis (more…)
Filed under: Israel
AN INTERFAITH DECLARATION FOR PEACE
We, members and leaders of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities in Greater Boston — all having deep and symbolic ties to the land and peoples of the Middle East — are anguished by the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. Recognizing the legitimate needs of all peoples, including all those living in the Middle East, for dignity, peace, safety and security –- regardless of religion, race, or national origin — we issue this joint statement with the hope and belief that our interfaith voices will be heard clearly, above the din of war.
As guiding principles, (more…)
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1055188.html
Filed under: Israel | Tags: gaza, Israel, Israel Gaza Weat Bank Judaism, judaism, rabbis human rights, west bank
As a child my family practiced liberal Reform Judaism. We would observe the Sabbath by lighting the candles, saying the blessings and singing a few songs. My father was an important leader in the blossoming Reform Jewish social and political action movement. I grew up caring about liberal political and social issues. As I grew up the idea of a God that is involved with the world grew more and more alien to me. Eventually I found myself at peace with a faith in a people, a faith in religion.
I love the words of the Prophet Micah. The words which were engraved on the edifice of the early home of Reform Judaism in New York City; “Do justly, lovemercy and walk humbly withyour God” The Friday night reform liturgy with which I connect most profoundly are these words said in English after the T’filah; “…O God, Teach us the pathto a better life. So shall we, by our lives and our labors, bring nearer to realization the great hope inherited from ages past for a world transformed by liberty, justice and peace.” My faithis grounded in the vision and the mission of a people commanded to do justly in order to help redeem the world. I grew up with a vision of Israel inherited from many of the early leaders of the Yashuv, Jewish Palestine before 1948, and of the early Israeli labor parties. It was a vision of social and economic equality. (more…)
Filed under: Israel
I have been reeling by the recent attack http://www.forward.com/articles/14847 of the President of the Union for
Reform Judaism on J Street http://www.jstreet.org/campaigns/statement-response-rabbi-eric-yoffie%E2%80%99s-comments-forward-december-31
J Street and J street PAC, are a new voice which is attempting to be an alternative voice to the Israel lobby and AIPAC. Rabbi Yoffie’s attack seems to be centered on J street’s assertion that neither side is right. I interpret the Rabbi’s words describing J Streets views as “morally deficient and appallingly naive” as a condescending attack on the views of many Jews and a view that is central to my religious and political beliefs. He says further that these views are “profoundly out of touch with Jewish sentiment”. I have been deeply hurt, angered and further alienated by his comments.
I believe that his thinking sheds light on the crux of the problem. Even the most liberal Jewish leaders live in the world of the Jewish establishment where the in an undefined, amorphous kind of way the idea of God and the state of Israel have become conflated.
I have been thinking a lot about a new kind of Judaism. A Judaism where an American Jew can choose to love Israel (as an Italian American loves Italy) but that’s not part of the covenant. A new kind of Judaism which emulates the Social and Political involvement of the Religious Action Center of the Union for Reform Judaism but where the concept of ‘the centrality of Israel to Judaism’ is removed. That concept has been used by the Israel lobby both overtly and covertly to deify the state of Israel. Once deified Israel cannot be questioned. I believe that separating the state of Israel (the political return to Zion) from Judaism would be better for Israel and better for Judaism.
A Judaism whose values are not attached to the secular values of a state would be a Judaism whose vision and message of right and wrong would be clearer. And a State with religion removed from governance could be a true democracy. And Israel without unconditional American support would need to think more of the consequences of her actions and might spend more energy in peacemaking than war making. Thanks, Chuck
Filed under: Israel | Tags: gaza, J Street, Rabbi Yoffie and J Street, Reform Judaism, URJ, Yoffie
I’m hurt, angry and alienated. The leader of the Reform Jewish Movement of which I have been a member for my entire life has called my views “morally deficient, profoundly out of touch with Jewish sentiment and also appallingly naïve”.
I’m proud of my Judaism. I was born into Reform Judaism. My family was fiercely reform and my parents devoted their lives to the reform movement and especially it’s magnificent work for Social Justice. I became bar mitzvah in a reform congregation. So did my two children. Eugene Lipman, a giant of Judaism, officiated at our marriage. I was born in 1948 while Israel was fighting for her existence. I’ve been to Israel 5 times. I’m a product of the reform ‘NFTY’ camps as are my children. Sam took the NFTY Israel trip after his confirmation. Ben’s a full time four year student at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I’ve served on the board of our Reform Congregation and for many years worked hard on its social action committee. I am deeply pained when the leader of Reform Judaism calls my views ‘morally deficient’.
Rabbi Yoffie wasn’t talking about me he was speaking about the views of ‘J Street’. http://www.forward.com/articles/14847/ J-Street is a new Washington lobbying group and a major voice of the pro-Israel pro-peace Jewish Community. J Street
http://www.jstreet.org/campaigns/statement–rabbi-eric-yoffie%E2%80%99s-comments-forward-december-31
had said, heretically, “Neither Israelis nor Palestinians have a monopoly on right or wrong…While there is nothing ‘right’ in raining rockets on Israeli families or dispatching suicide bombers, there is nothing ‘right’ in punishing a million and a half already-suffering Gazans for the actions of the extremists among them.” Is that a morally deficient statement.? Out of touch with Jewish Sentiment? Appallingly naïve?
I agree with that statement. Yes, the actions of both parties are equally reprehensible. And I bet (more…)
Filed under: Israel
I’ll cut to the quick. Last month I returned from an incredible 2-week adventure. I traveled with Rabbis for Human Rights-North America (RHR-NA) through the West Bank and Israel seeing their works and the works of other Israeli Human Rights groups. Last year I had given up my work for an Israeli-Palestinian peace out of frustration, disappointment and anger. My despair was so deep that I had moved away from Judaism and my community. I was ready to sever the tie.
I saw ‘Rabbis for Human Rights’ choosing to look directly at the abuses of human rights in Israel and the West Back. Choosing to look and choosing to speak out! And choosing to work to repair the broken world!! I met many people who chose to say loudly what they knew in their hearts. I met many people willing to put their lives and livelihoods on the line.
I have been inspired by Rabbis for Human Rights. My commitment has been rekindled. What right do I have to sit in the comfort and safety of my home in Austin and whine? Over the last few years it has become crystal clear to me that in order to save Israel as the Jewish, democratic state that we love we need to end the occupation and create a just and viable two state solution. I will return home and renew that work.
Please go to the website of Rabbis for Human Rights- North America www.hr-na.org and click on the Israel Trip tab to read all about our trip. And if you to are inspired please make a donation. I believe that they are working to save Israel and to save Judaism.
Below are some of my thoughts about our trip. They are random and often skip the background one might need to understand. They are largely unedited. They are long. If they arrived in my in box no matter how much I cared I wouldn’t find time to read them.
So; above is the pitch, below are some of my thoughts and on the website you’ll find the best description of this amazing trip and the opportunity to donate to Rabbis For Human Rights North America.
11-09-2008; ON THE PLANE TO ISRAEL
I turned 60 this year and so did Israel. Emily, Sam and I had planned to celebrate both birthdays this past summer in Israel visiting with Ben. (He’s studying at Hebrew University) Those plans didn’t materialize for many reasons. Emily did get to go and had a wonderful visit with Ben and his friends in Jerusalem. Sam visited last winter.
Now it’s my turn. I’m writing this on the flight to Tel Aviv. I will be joining Rabbis for Human Rights – North America on a ten-day mission to Israel and the West Bank. The mission is part of RHR-NA yearlong Pursuit of Justice Campaign marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel and the 20th anniversary of the founding of Rabbis for Human Rights. We will be visiting with the leaders and members of Rabbis for Human Rights and other Israeli human rights groups like Betzelem, the Israeli Human Rights organizations; Machsom Watch, women who witness the treatment of Palestinians at checkpoints, Shovrim Shtika, soldiers who break the silence about human rights abuses, and many others.
This will be my fifth visit. The first was in 1969 when I did my junior year in Jerusalem at the Hebrew University. I lived for a half a year in an Arab village on the West Bank and half the time in Jewish West Jerusalem. That shaped me in many ways. More on that later. The second time was with Emily on our honeymoon in 1984. The third was for a celebration of my Dad’s 80th birthday in 2005. And the 4th was with Ben, Sam and Emily in 2006.
This visit has two purposes. The first is to celebrate our 60th birthdays. (Mine and Israel’s) and second to explore the bond I have with Israel and to examine the bond I have with Judaism and Jews.
I began working for peace between Israel and Palestine almost a decade ago. For five years early in this decade I worked actively with as small group of concerned Jews trying to explain to the Austin Jewish community what we believed the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank was doing to the Israelis, the Palestinians and to Judaism. Over the past few years I have become disheartened. With each new counterproductive action or statement by the Palestinians, or Israelis, or the American Jewish community or by the Bush administration I have become more disillusioned. As the silence from the Jewish community becomes louder and louder my alienation deepens and my faith lessens.
This trip is as much serendipity as planned. Other commitments over the summer caused us to drop plans for a family visit then an e-mail announcement of this trip from Rabbis for Human Rights put the idea in my head. Emily, lovingly, gently nudged me onto the plane. And here I am a few hours from Tel Aviv wondering; Will I learn anything new? Will my spiritual connection to Israel and Jerusalem be strengthened or will it be severed? (more…)
