More than once I've said that Jews need non-Jews to help us out of the mess that we made with Zionism. We need the hand of the other to overcome Bill Kristol's bleat, Is it good for the Jews? And along with that I've called for American Jews to begin to have a giant foodfight about Zionism (my mother and I started recently, when I was chopping onions for something she was making... a lot of painful silence... but we're gettin there).
OK, well they're going to do it in Minneapolis. Both urgent demands are being answered. Lutheran Charles Lutz is organizing an amazing forum. I'm thinking of going, October 16. And I'm praying that the establishment orgs don't cancel:
On Sunday, October 16, the peace/justice forum will bring together four local Jewish groups with a diverse range of perspectives on resolving the Israel/Palestine conflict. On the subject “Seeking Israeli/Palestinian Peace: Varied Voices from the Jewish Community,” distinctive viewpoints will be offered by Jordan Ash, Jewish Voice for Peace—Minnesota; Steve Lear, Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota/Dakotas; Andy Luger, J Street Minnesota; and Sylvia Schwarz, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network—Twin Cities.
“We’re told it’s the first time ever that these diverse Jewish voices will be heard from the same platform,” says Dick Hilden, who chairs the sponsoring ELCA Peace with Justice Committee. “We urge all having concern for Middle East Peace to join us for both forums.”
The forums will meet in Fellowship Hall, Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12th St., Minneapolis. An optional light lunch is served at 12:30 p.m., with a $7 charge (no charge to non-lunch attendees). Programs follow at 1:00 p.m.
Thanks for the info. Minneapolis is only a couple hours away, so I might go myself.
Assume the J-Street and Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota/Dakotas folks know the invitees list and have agreed to participate with them. That would itself be a breakthrough. Best wishes for a productive meeting.
Clean up after the food fight and don’t forget the hungry.
“More than once I’ve said that Jews need non-Jews to help us out of the mess that we made with Zionism.”
What you mean-um “we”, paleface?
Frankly, I haven’t the slightest assurance any of the people who started Zionism were Jewish. They just said they were, because they saw the opportunities.
Real Jews would never have done such a thing, everybody knows that.
“foodfight”. I love how Phil combines the deadly serious with the zany/humorous. Totally my style.
This is cool, but it’s missing an important voice: the Kahanists, who play a big part in Israeli politics. The JCRC is not right wing enough to cover the entire spectrum.
Thank you for the info. I’m 15 minutes drive from S. Mpls. and will be there if it is held.
How about that. Four Jewish groups discussing ideas for “resolving the Israel/Palestine conflict.” Hmmm. Has it occurred to anyone that a Palestinian voice might be useful in this discussion?
A real sign that “the mess that we made” through the Zionist colonization of Palestine is on the road to being cleaned up will be when Jews everywhere finally realize that they are not the center of the universe. That’s the core of the problem, after all. Somebody forget to tell the collective Jewish community of the world that they and their culture/religion are not the Sun that the Earth and all it’s inhabitants revolve around.
No, I’m not being anti-semitic, I’m being pro-Earthling. It’s about “the other,” stupid. Until there is no “us and them” there will be no justice and hence, no peace. Fat chance, I know. But somebody’s got to dream.
“I’m not being anti-semitic”
What?
“when Jews everywhere finally realize that they are not the center of the universe. ”
How anti-Semitic can you get?
[While attending the forum, hopefully some will take the time to visit the nearby cemetery where Robert Eisenberg is buried.]
ROBERT BURTON EISENBERG
October 12, 1944 – June 8, 1967
Bob Eisenberg and his best friend, Ted Plante, enlisted in the Navy together in February, 1964, about 18 months after graduation from high school. After boot camp together, Bob went to CT school and Ted went to ET school.
The two stayed in frequent touch and coordinated leave together just before Bob’s assignment to USS Liberty. During that leave, Bob bought his dream car, a 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible and the two double-dated until they returned to their respective duty stations. Bob promised to return one day for his best friend’s wedding.
Liberty sailed from Norfolk on her last deployment May 2, 1967. Ted received his last letter from Bob postmarked May 21. The next he heard that USS Liberty had been attacked. Soon after that he learned that Bob had died in the attack.
At the request of Bob’s parents, Ted returned to their home in St. Paul, Minnesota, to serve as a pall bearer. Then, he flew to Norfolk to pick up Bob’s car and drive it back to St. Paul.
Bob is buried near his parents in a Jewish cemetery east of St. Paul.
link to ussliberty.org