Jewish Relationships Initiative

Category: Peace

  • Stop the Genocide-Sue for Peace!

    Although there is not a Genocide happening in Gaza, there is devastating suffering and death.

    It can be stopped immediately.  Declare peace.  Accept the existence of Israel and Return the hostages.  You can immediately focus on building a State of Palestine, and most of the world’s nations, including Israel, will support the enterprise.   Outside forces of hegemony and oppression (Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah) that have imposed themselves are back on their heels, allowing Palestinians an opportunity for self-determination that has not been seen since 2000 at Camp David.

    This is a pragmatic solution.  Israel exists.  Whether you question Israel’s legitimacy will not make the nation go away.  Remaining belligerent only continues the harm to both Israelis and Palestinians.  Negotiations are fraught.  Negotiating requires leaving some things behind in exchange for other things we determine are more critical.  Peace and a Sovereign State would be two extraordinary wins for the Palestinians. Peace is the only way for our children to know something beyond hatred and death.

    It is time.

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Prayer is universal. It transcends language, culture, and creed, uniting us in our deepest hopes and aspirations. This rendition of The Prayer blends its original message with the Hebrew translation by Rabbi Moshe Pomerantz z”l (1935-2024).

    This Shabbat I share the beauty of The Prayer from Park Avenue Synagogue and Cantor Azi Schwartz.

    Wishing you Shabbat Shalom.

    May the hostages come home!

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Greeting Shabbat as the evening comes, we sing a series of Psalms as part of Kabbalat Shabbat.  Mikolot Mayim Rabim is a verse from Psalm written by the extraordinary Hazzan Jessi Roemer and performed by the also extraordinary Hazzan Harold Messinger.

    Be swept up in the beauty of the sound and the images as we wish Shabbat Shalom to all.

  • It is time for Peace

    I was sitting with someone recently. He is a Muslim and active in the causes of his people. I am a Jew and active in the causes of my people. We are part of a dialogue group that builds bridges and develops relationships with people we usually do not get to know. But we are engaged, and through this process, a friendship has ensued.

    The war in the Middle East is deeply painful for us both.  We both know people we deeply care about who are direct victims of this war.

    My friend recently celebrated the birth of his child.  Mom and baby are doing well. He is so excited to be a father.  Like most fathers, he wants to provide for his family and nurture his child with love and a bright future filled with opportunities.  I recently celebrated the birth of a grandchild.  We are overjoyed to have a new addition to our family and cannot wait for the next opportunity to shower our love.  But in this beautiful moment was something chilling; it was an epiphany of sorts.  How different would this be if we did not all live here.

    If the war between our people never ends, what would become of our children?   With the birth certificate, effectively, a death warrant would have been issued as well.  Whether warriors or innocent victims, they would be the fodder for hostilities between two warring nations; we bring them into a killing machine. Birth should represent hope- the idea that there is a future and tomorrow promises something good.  We do not have children so that they may be offered up, sacrificed on an altar of hate.

    My friend and I shudder at this, as do many other mothers and fathers here and there. Birth is a miracle, and peace is no less.  It is time to find a path forward together.

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Recorded in Abu Dhabi, this version of Stand By Me by MusicTravelLove touched me, so I wanted to share it with you.

    Praying the hostages come home, Praying for Peace

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat wish

    We need to pause and take a breath.

    Let Shabbat give us time to breathe.

    There will be time to organize our thoughts, prepare, and respond to the reality of the elections. There is much to do.

    But for now, it is Shabbat.  Take the time to breathe.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Some of you will remember the Youngbloods’ song Get Together.

    It is a prayer for ourselves and our world as we welcome Shabbat.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom – For all these things

    Naomi Shemer is the poet who created Al Kol Eleh, All These Things, a bittersweet and timely song.   As Yonina shares her music, let us continue to pray for the hostages to come home and for peace.

  • Shabbat Shalom on Simchat Torah

    Here we are, Celebrating Simchat Torah and welcoming Shabbat, but even this moment of joy is a challenge.  We pray for the hostages to be returned and for peace.

    Peri Smilow shares Debbie Friedman’s Those Who Sow based in Psalm 126.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    This Shabbat is different.  The feelings of vulnerability evoked by Sukkot underscore October Rain.  Shulem Lemmer shares his rendition here.

    In these times, when we’re focused on not drowning in the hurricane of hatred and antisemitism, our personal feelings often take a backseat. Since that dreadful day in October, our hearts and minds have been solely focused on our land and people. From the moment I heard this song, I felt compelled to cover it, as it conveyed so much of what we’ve struggled to express in recent months. (continued below).

    Shabbat Shalom

    The original “October Rain” was deemed “too political” for the world stage, leading to the release of a more neutral version, “Hurricane.” I am sharing “October Rain” in its raw, authentic form to voice our nation’s true sentiments. May the floods dry up with the warm sunshine of Moshiach’s arrival!

    Lyrics: Writers of the history Stand with me Look into my eyes and see People go away but never say goodbye Someone stole the moon tonight Took my light Everything is black and white Who’s the fool who told you boys don’t cry? Hours and hours and flowers Life is no game for the cowards Why does the time go wild Every day I’m losing my mind Holding on in this mysterious ride Dancing in the storm We got nothing to hide Take me home And leave the world behind And I promise you that never again I’m still wet from this October rain October rain Living in a fantasy Ecstasy Everything is meant to be We shall pass but love will never die Hours and hours and flowers Life is no game for the cowards Why does the time go wild Every day I’m losing my mind Holding on in this mysterious ride Dancing in the storm We got nothing to hide Take me home And leave the world behind And I promise you that never again I’m still wet from this October rain October rain October rain

    לא צריך מילים גדולות רק תפילות אפילו כשקשה לראות תמיד אתה משאיר לי אור אחד קטן