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.
