Jewish Relationships Initiative

Category: Relationships

  • What do you want? Clarity is critical.

    What do you want? Clarity is critical.

    There are many messages in the Campus protests; which is yours?  Divestiture, Ceasefire, rebuilding Gaza, developing a Palestinian State, or something else? What about peace?

    The message of peace and the coexistence of two peoples will carry the day.

    Without articulating what you stand for and what you do not, you are lumped into the “everything” category, which includes antisemitism and the elimination of Israel.

    Israel is here to stay.  That is an indisputable fact.  If you refuse to accept this reality, you essentially oppose a peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine issue. The region’s people must find a way to live together, for neither is going away.

    Building trust and a willingness to accept the other’s presence and narrative must occur on both sides for Palestinians and Israelis. This will take time and effort- lots of each.

    This pragmatic politics is problematic for idealogues to embrace. But if peace is the end goal, the ability to live in relative safety and security, this realpolitik must dominate the day. Otherwise, the people will continue to suffer and die.  And our tradition says, choose life.

    Don’t Squander the moment.  The campuses have our attention.  They can be places where truth is spoken to power, not merely a place to advocate reductionist ideologies, where critical moral issues are advanced, recognizing the dignity of all people in the region.   Seize the moment.

     

  • Uncanceled, but Still Canceled

    The news from Bryn Mawr is ambivalent.

    There is good news and bad news.

    First, the good news:

    The courts intervened, and the BMFI must now show the film.

    Now, the bad news:

    Bryn Mawr Film Institute has not retracted its statement nor amended its thinking.

    So, we get to see a movie in a place that is hostile to showing it.

    The stakes have been raised on both sides as the film is now set to be shown.  Those supporting the right to see the movie and those protesting Israel will be out in full force.  I hope that each side can express their views without hindrance from the other.  Whichever side you are on, strive for peace.

    You guys at BMFI need to rethink your leadership.  Whoever is in charge should be thanked for their past service and shown the door.  Until at least a meaningful apology is offered, consider me a former member.

     

  • Sadness entering Shabbat

     

  • Shabbat Shalom

    The incomparable Neshama Carlebach shares her beautiful rendition of Yehi Shalom.

    Wishing everyone Shabbat Shalom, and may peace come soon to all.

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Playing for Change has used music to share our humanity and the transcending power of music across cultures and nations.

    Redemption Song is one of Bob Marley’s great gifts.

    Freedom and Peace is our hope.

    Bring them Home!

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    In our welcome of Shabbat, we share Ana BeKoach, a prayer asking we be released from the spiritual, emotional, and physical things that bind us.  It invokes the power of God’s name through Jewish mysticism.  In this troubling time, may we be freed.

    Shir Appeal shares its acapella rendition with us here.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • A prayer for the New Year-Bring them Home and Let us strive for Peace

    As 2023 ends, I pray for the hostages to come home and we can find a way to peace.

    To a better 2024.

  • As we welcome Shabbat and the secular New Year, I wanted to share this poignant song from Benaia Barabi “Zeh BSeder” It’s Okay sung with survivors from Nova.

    May we find peace this year.

    Shabbat Shalom

     

  • Heal Us Now

    As we celebrate the holiday of light and welcome Shabbat,

    We struggle through this darkness and together we will get through.

    Yachad Nenetzach

    Chag Urim Sameach

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Where do we go from here?

    The situation is fluid, and things are different from what we thought.  We have come to an inflection point, and what happens next depends entirely on how boldly we are willing to consider acting.

    It is relatively easy to kill people but almost impossible to kill an idea.  Hamas has shown it knows no limit to the extent it will go to achieve the dual goals of killing Jews and eliminating Israel.

    Israel thought it could manage the situation, lulling Hamas through what are essentially bribes and occasionally “mowing the lawn,” that obscene notion that periodically Israel engages in a military action to repress the militants.  This is similar to blowing on the boiling pot of pasta to keep it from boiling over.

    The pot boiled over, and the ensuing pogrom was devastating.

    Furthermore, Hamas retains substantial control.  The delay in releasing hostages on Day 2 of the truce showed their continued capacity to manage the situation psychologically.  Equally distressing was the celebration in the West Bank because the jubilant welcome home to the released prisoners was met with Hamas flags instead of only Palestinian flags.  A weak Palestinian Authority is losing control, and Hamas is ascendant.

    And an uncontrolled group of Jewish right-wing extremists is engaging in violence against Palestinians that could only be understood as ethnic cleansing of the territory.

    The situation is dire and requires bold action.

    Strangely, a scene from The Godfather movie keeps running in my mind.  As Don Corleone grieves his murdered son, he looks up and, from the depth of his pain, declares the killing has to stop.  Peace is required even though vengeance courses through the blood. For us, this is that moment.

    The killing must stop.  Recognition by each side is required, and we must forge a way forward. Is Israel able to do this, and if so, who is courageous enough to make that declaration and commitment?

    We’ve learned that ignoring the other side and building walls is not a solution.  Walls cannot be high enough or thick enough to provide security.  We also cannot do it alone.

    Many are vested in maintaining the status quo of hostility, hatred, and turmoil. But others have a clear interest in seeing peace in the region.  These nations need to join in the effort to work with Palestinians and Israelis to build trust and an infrastructure of hope. Together, we can realize a vision of dignity and security for both people who claim a right to the region. And those who envision a future for their children to live in a world without violence must be convinced we are all committed to their future.  Building trust out of the rubble of destruction and pain that now exists will take time.   But now is the time to start.

    The killing must end, and now is the time to start on a path forward.