Israel

Israel@jrf

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 12:59:39 -0400

We invite you to enrich your connection to Israel. This section provides resources for learning about current issues and contemporary culture, implementing programs in your community, traveling to Israel with other Reconstructionists and making personal connections with the people of Israel. Our aim is to provide educational opportunities and a Reconstructionist approach to important issues.

Check out resources about Israel from the JRF Online Resource Center These resources include articles, lesson plans, bibliographies, Israeli Independence day rituals, community discussion guides and much much more!

Here are a few of our favorites:

Zionism And Communal Covenant: A Reconstructionist Approach To Essential Jewish Principals, an excerpt from the JRF Israel Policies Task Force Report (2004)
A Guide To Talking About Israel In Your Congregation
Reconstructionists Educators' Frequently Asked Questions On Israel

Pluralism Challenged in Israel- Act Now!

Rabbi Shawn Zevit — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:36:40 -0400

Dear Rabbis, Cantors, Staff, Lay Leaders, and Members of JRF Communities,

We write to you today because of a very serious threat to religious pluralism in Israel, resulting from a rapidly developing parliamentary situation there. As many of you probably already know, the Knesset may vote very soon on legislation that would make important negative changes to the laws governing conversions in Israel and to the Law of Return.

This new legislation would roll back the clock on all the achievements we have made for Reconstructionist, Reform and Conservative conversion rights in Israel: not only losing recognition for Reconstructionist, Reform and Conservative conversions in Israel, but even completely redefining who is a Jew. From now on the power to perform conversions would rest solely with the Chief Rabbinate – which only recognizes Orthodox conversions.

This decision, which affects the very definition of who is a Jew for all of Klal Yisrael, is being made by a few politicians who happen to be in power during the 18th Knesset. They are not at all in conversation with world Jewry, on whom this decision will have a major impact.

At your next Jewish gathering, take a look at the people around you: chances are good that you are sitting next to someone who would no longer be considered a Jew in Israel.

There are millions of Jews in North America and elsewhere outside of Israel. The current Israeli leadership needs to hear from all of you – and right away – if we are going to stop this. We ask you to send urgent messages of protest to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to your ambassador from Israel.

We need the strength of your numbers to remind those who promote this bill that Israel and Judaism are not theirs alone.

Please sign the Israel Religious Action Center’s petition at: http://www.irac.org/petitionsign.aspx. Also, please send the following letter right now to the Prime Minister and your ambassador, and forward this urgent call to your friends and family.

L’shalom,

   Robert A. Barkin                                                                      Dr. Carl Sheingold
   President                                                                                Executive Vice President
   Jewish Reconstructionist Federation                                          Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

The Honorable Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel
Office of the Prime Minister
Jerusalem, Israel

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,

We write to request your immediate intervention to prevent passage of the legislation being brought forward by MK David Rotem.

We are deeply concerned about the intention to grant the Chief Rabbinate sole control over conversion in Israel. Such legislation would be an open attack on the legitimacy of non-Orthodox Jewry, which composes the majority of world Jewry. In addition, passage of this bill would have the effect of altering the Law of Return, or, at the very least, cause undue hardship to anyone in Israel who come from Diaspora communities and seek to convert in Israel.

While we are supportive of efforts to create greater accessibility to conversion courts in Israel, the overall impact of the Rotem Bill will set back these efforts. Should this bill be enacted, it will exacerbate a widening gap between the Jewish communities in the Diaspora and in Israel, which we are working very hard to avoid.

Therefore, we believe it is imperative that you, as leader of Israel, and as one who cares deeply about the well-being of Klal Yisrael, intervene and urge immediate withdrawal of this bill.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office: Prime.Minister'sOffice@it.pmo.gov.il

U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren’s office: info@washington.mfa.gov.il

Canadian Ambassador Miriam Ziv’s office: info@ottawa.mfa.gov.il ">info@ottawa.mfa.gov.il

For more information about JRF's statements and positions on Israel, please visit http://jrf.org/israel and http://jrf.org/israel/statement-and-resources.

JRF joins with Reform Movement in Condemning Attacks against New Israel Fund

Rabbi Shawn Zevit — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:40:20 -0500

JRF joins with Reform Movement in Condemning Attacks against New Israel Fund

February 11, 2010 - In response to the recent attacks against the New Israel Fund, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation joins with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in issuing the following statement:

"We express our alarm at the recent attacks in the Israeli media against the New Israel Fund (NIF). Together with so many in the U.S. and Israel, we know the New Israel Fund as a respected organization with a long, accomplished history of defending human rights, civil liberties, religious pluralism, and social justice. Its efforts have helped make Israel a more equal, more just, more fair and more compassionate society.

In their twisted attribution of blame for the Goldstone Report to the NIF, these attackers are trying to delegitimize the New Israel Fund in much the same way that the Goldstone Report is being used to delegitimize Israel in the eyes of the world. It is ironic, to say the least, that those pointing to the danger of the Goldstone Report are using the same tactics of half-truths, hyperbole and sweeping generalizations they criticize in it to delegitimize the New Israel Fund.

NIF's support and training for those in Israel who fight for women's rights, civil rights, religious rights, consumer rights, environmental protection and civil liberties should be a source of pride for all those committed to Israel's social well-being. This effort to tarnish this respected organization with guilt by association ill-serves the interests and values of Israel and the Jewish People."

Women of the Wall

Rabbi Shawn Zevit — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:56:58 -0500

Social action based on Jewish ethics is a central part of Reconstructionist community activity. In Israel and North America, Reconstructionists actively support The Women at the Wall, who advocate equal worship rights for men and women in Israel.

RT article by Anna Bosewell- Levy- http://www4.jrf.org/resources/files/Building%20the%20Amuta%20-%20Autumn-Vol%208,1.pdf

We are quoted here thanks to R. Jarah Greenfield- http://www.jstandard.com/content/item/women_seek_equality_at_kotel/11802

R. Rebecca Alpert's article- http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/reconstructionist-judaism-in-united-states

Existing page of Israel resources and statements-http://www4.jrf.org/israel/statement-and-resources

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General Links:

http://womenofthewall.blogspot.com/ (Reconstructionist movement featured)

http://urj.org//israel/wow/index.cfm? (URJ)

http://www.uscj.org/Outrage_at_the_Kotel8264.html (Joint statement by all branches of Conservative Movement)

http://www.globenewswire.com/news.html?d=180958 (CCAR response)

JRF Statement and Resources in Response to Events in the Middle East

Lisa Tuttle — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:36:33 -0500

A Statement from the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation [January 16, 2009]

We are deeply saddened that violence has once again engulfed Israelis and Palestinians. We share in the fear and loss experienced by Israelis caught in rocket fire from Hamas and are also concerned with the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We stand with the people of Israel in this time of crisis and support the right of Israel to do everything necessary to protect its population. We support all efforts to negotiate a meaningful, lasting resolution of the current conflict that will provide true security for Israel’s citizens. We decry criticisms of Israel that devolve into hate speech and anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish people and on Israel’s right to exist.

While the ultimate resolution of the current conflict depends on the decisions of Israel and of Hamas, this crisis is an opportunity to become educated about the history of the Israel-Palestinian conflict; to work to maintain open and respectful debate of the issues; and to support humanitarian efforts that aid victims on both sides – Israeli citizens living in communities in the south and the civilians of Gaza caught in the cross fire. Our thoughts are also with IDF soldiers risking their lives for Israel.

We reaffirm our call for a just and lasting peace that will protect Israel’s right to a secure existence and that will also fulfill the national aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Resources in Response to Crisis in the Middle East

JRF has added a diverse array of resources to the rich collection of materials relating to Israel already on the website. We hope these resources will assist in understanding the issues and in promoting dialogue within your communities.

Please note that every heading is a clickable link to the resource.

Israel Resources from the JRF Resources Library / www.jrf.org/israel-resources - This broad collection of articles, bibliographies, lesson plans, activities, divrei Torah, and frequently asked questions is a rich resource for congregations in approaching the topic of Israel.
A Guide to Talking about Israel in Your Congregation – Rabbi Toba Spitzer, rabbi at Congregation Dorshei Tzedek in West Newton, MA, created this discussion guide with the goal of having open and honest discussion within our JRF communities.
Keeping Informed about Israel - A fairly comprehensive list of media, government and non-profit sources of information about Israel on the internet.
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) / www.jewishpublicaffairs.org - JRF is a national member of the JCPA, whose mission is to serve as the representative voice of the organized American Jewish community in addressing the principal mandate of the Jewish community relations field, expressed in three interrelated goals: To safeguard the rights of Jews in the U.S. and around the world; to dedicate itself to the safety and security of the state of Israel; to protect, preserve and promote a just American society, one that is democratic and pluralistic, one that furthers harmonious interreligious, interethnic interracial and other intergroup relations. The JCPA statement on the Gaza crisis and multiple resources are available on its website.
United Jewish Communities (UJC) – UJC represents and serves 157 Jewish federations and 400 independent Jewish communities across North America. It reflects the values of social justice and human rights that define the Jewish people. Here the UJC/Federation system responds to the Gaza situation.
Israel Advocacy Initiative (IAI) - The Israel Advocacy Initiative (IAI) is a joint project of the UJC and JCPA created to work with communities to build grassroots support for Israel. The IAI assists communities in outreach to key non-Jewish leaders, meeting challenges on campus, and effectively communicating messages through the media. Resources include an Internet rumors and hoaxes archive, Middle East media watch, and weekly Middle East briefing.
IAI Crisis in Gaza statements - As part of its Israel Advocacy Initiative, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, of which JRF is a member, and the UJC offer a broad listing of statements from elected officials and organizations in response to the crisis.
Keeping Informed about Israel – From the JRF website, this is a fairly comprehensive list of media, government and non-profit sources of information about Israel on the internet.
PowerPoint presentation on Gaza - A three-minute educational slide show on Hamas, Gaza and Israel published by the JCRC of Greater Boston.
Prayer for the State of Israel – Read the Reconstructionist Tefilah Limdinat Yisra’el / Prayer for the State of Israel from Kol Haneshamah: Shabbat Vehagim Sabbath and Festival Prayerbook (pp. 420-421) in both English and Hebrew.
Sampling of JRF Statements on Israel – Read a sampling of statements from The Reconstructionist in 1948, the Federation of Reconstructionists Congregations and Havurot (FRCH) in 1988, and by JRF in 2000.
Oznia Teen Israel Blog - Written by high school students, for high school students, Oznia is a collective of young bloggers and activists, dedicated to gathering exciting, engaging and challenging nuggets about Israel and Zionism. The name “Oznia” is Hebrew for “earbud” and expresses our goal of getting students “plugged in” to the amazing diversity and complexity of Israel. Oznia: A Blog of Israel Things, is a project seeded by the AVI CHAI Foundation.
MAKOM Interactive Israel Website - Ha’aretz and the Jewish Agency for Israel have teamed up to build an interactive website for all ages through a new program called MAKOM: Israel excites, alienates and compels. How are we as Jews implicated in Israel's achievements, mistakes, and challenges? MAKOM invites you to join an ongoing conversation about hugging and wrestling with Israel. It includes message boards, surveys, articles, videos, and more.

Report from Ashkelon: The War Goes On and On

Rabbi Anita Steiner — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:39:30 -0500

Rabbi Anita SteinerMy house keeps shaking, not from rockets from Gaza, but from artillery or whatever we are shooting into Gaza.

I have been with three friends in the last two days who are having difficulty coping, given the fear, rockets, constant planes, helicopters and our firing into Gaza with the resultant noise, and the not knowing what will be tomorrow and next month and next year. One clearly needs some counseling so he calms down so he can better deal with himself and the person he lives with. All kinds of hotlines are advertised constantly on TV and the radio.

Also we have trained people working in a walk-in center in a high school for those who can't cope. Another is feeling the tension in his body and has all kinds of aches and pains. A third has sharp pains from all the tensions with her family situation that was brought about by all this.

The rockets continue to fall in Israel. Thus far today, Ashkelon has been quiet, except when I was writing this earlier, but I didn't hear a boom. Yesterday there were three. Since the beginning of this war over 90 rockets have hit Ashkelon. Each time we hear a siren we go to our safe place. We have between 15-30 seconds to get there. As I have said over and over, Israelis have places to flee to. Many of us have miklatim-bomb shelters/ fortified rooms. Our home command has good guidelines, that if you are able to follow them, you should be protected.

But 60% of the citizens of Ashkelon have no safe place. It is especially difficult for older folks, people with disabilities, and families with young children. There are over 40 bomb shelters here in Ashkelon, where residents are living 24/7. A friend of mine is in charge of them. Davka the towns and cities are extremely well organized. We have learned from the recent war in Lebanon. Also many people are staying with friends, relatives and even strangers in other parts of the country. Schools and kindergartens have been closed since the beginning. Only some 12th graders have gone back to school here in order to prepare for their matriculation exams, but they are studying in bomb shelters or fortified rooms. Most small businesses are in horrid shape, even if they are open.

Yesterday I joined the group of the Conservative rabbis and congregants who had come to Israel on a brief mission of support when they visited our masorti shul. Rabbi Lenny Gordon was among them and had let me know he was coming. It was great to say that I had been a member of Lenny's shul for 5 years when I was at RRC. I also joined them at our local hospital. I knew it but it was interesting and remarkable to hear from the hospital's spokeswoman that the hospital has been just about emptied of local people to be ready for possible mass causalities; we are the hospital closest to Gaza. In addition local civilians wounded by rockets, soldiers and Palestinians wounded in Gaza are all being treated side by side.

A while ago, when building was about to start on a new wing of the hospital that would provide space for 250 beds, operating rooms etc., underground and/or in fortified spaces, graves were discovered. The high rabbinical authorities ruled that they were Jewish graves and thus could not be disturbed or moved. And as things go in this country, the building of the new fortified wing could not continue. Meanwhile most of the hospital is open to attack.

Can you imagine such.......!!!!!!! These bones were more important that human life. Jewish values? What about pikuah nefesh (the injunction that saving a life trumps other Jewish laws)? Finally today I heard word that these highest rabbinical authorities finally agreed to move the graves/bones so the hospital wing could be built.

But I have been talking about our side. Gazans have no where to turn to, nowhere to flee. We may have dropped leaflets and called people saying that we were going to bomb them, but where could they go to? At least 80,000 people are now homeless since we bombed their homes and neighborhoods or threatened to. Half of these are kids.

The war continues and continues in Gaza. It seems like we may have hit one of the hospitals in Gaza today. Several days ago we hit an UNWRA school where many refugees had sought shelter. The death toll keeps mounting, as do the wounded and obviously shell shocked people on both sides of the border.

The Israeli authorities and human rights groups disagree about the exact numbers, but between two thirds and a fourth of the Gazans killed have been civilians and of those perhaps a third have been children.

Even months ago, if people had wanted to flee Gaza, they couldn't because we sealed the borders, that is the border crossings, by sea and by air. The only thing Israel couldn't control were the tunnels that were dug into Egypt.

The humanitarian situation there is horrendous. For a few hours a day, we have been allowing humanitarian aid to get through. But we hadn't been allowing fuel to cross, which effects the supply of electricity, which disrupts the flow of clean water, proper maintenance of the sewage system, and... and we haven't allowed many of their wounded to be evacuated.

Most Israelis are only concerned with the Israeli side of the conflict. But thank goodness, there are those who are sympathetic to the crisis facing the civilians in Gaza. But few do anything. Who is listening to the cries of the children in Gaza?

Israel has not let foreign journalists into Gaza. One of the few English TV reporting that comes out of Gaza, is Al Jezera English. (By the way, Al Jezera English can not be viewed on US TV. But some can be seen on the internet.) The result being is that Israelis only see what our government wants them to see. This is sad in a democracy. Let me qualify this. Israelis can get international news from CNN, BBC, FOx, Sky, etc.

You may disagree with me, you may not want to hear what I am saying, but you can't accuse me of not supporting Israel. This is my home. I may be in the opposition, but as Rabbis for Human Rights says: We want Israel to live up to its ideals. We want Israel to be a light unto the nations.

In a personal email I sent out I concluded with "pray for peace.' The person wrote back "I don't pray but I pray for peace, safety, freedom and justice." In a further email the person wrote "Things are so depressing that even I might pray."

so...

Pray for Peace.

Anita

Report from Ashkelon: Difficult Shabbat

Rabbi Anita Steiner — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:55:51 -0500

Rabbi Anita Steiner[Rabbi Anita Steiner is an RRC graduate and a long-time resident of Ashkelon. She is the chair of Rabbis for Human Rights. Read her story from Wednesday. Ed.]

Shalom to all.

How I wish my simple message of shalom could reach many people!

Yesterday, Shabbat was very difficult.

The last time I had davened (prayed) in a miklat/ bomb shelter/ fortified room was during the Second Lebanese War. A group of rabbis and other volunteers traveled up north to support the people there. We davened in the miklat which served as a shul for the Masorti congregation of Mauricio Balter the rabbi in Kiryat Bialik, north of Haifa. It was Tisha B'av. We davened a 'regular' service,' read Eicha /Lamentations and studied. Afterwards we scampered to a few miklatim to deliver toys to children who were living in the miklatim. A colleague and I did help a young woman who was having difficulty functioning. She could not leave the shelter for any reason, and her life had completely stopped. Yes we helped by listening and giving hugs.

At shul (synagogue) yesterday we davened in a state of the art fortified room which is part of our nursery school building. I sat facing the huge pipes that were part of the ventilation system, which was adequate for 30 people, didn't have a minyan till we were able to do the repetition of the Amidah.

Any comfort and feeling of hevra (camaraderie) that I may have wanted to give and receive being with my congregation ( I am not the rabbi of the congregation, just a member) was ruined when a close friend who helps out nights on an emergency "open line" for people who need some help or someone to talk to, said forcefully that the only important thing is what our army does. Nothing else matters. This so upset me, that I had trouble davening.

Well this wouldn't be the first time, nor the last that I have had trouble davening. In no way was I going to disagree with him publicly. But the feeling seemed to be that the most and only thing we have to do is to watch out for ourselves and to defend ourselves. Agreed I hear this every day from many people, including close friends and certainly on the radio, TV, email and internet. But I guess hearing it in shul, surprised me. I had considered the shul to be a safe place. This didn't make me feel safe.

I don't think that anyone in the minyan knew how horrified I was of the content and intent of their talk. No one mentioned the 'other,' praying for "yoshei tevel (anyone besides Jews). No one spoke of human rights, the killing of hundreds of non combatant women and children, our bombing of a UN school that was housing refugees in Gaza, giving ambulances a chance to evacuate the injured, etc etc.

I appreciate what I am learning from my colleagues in the States about making a shul a welcoming place, where people can feel comfortable expressing their opinions and not be attacked for them. But I have a tremendous amount to learn and to implement what I am learning. We all feel so strongly. By the middle of the tefillot (prayers), I just wanted to hug my friend, and to say 'yes, we disagree.'

After shul I was sitting outside in my yard and it was absolutely beautiful. Four rockets then landed within a short period of one another. I no longer wanted to sit outside and my stomach was upset. I had to cancel my plans for seeing my sons in Tel Aviv. My younger son had been at his home for a few days, and had planned going back Sunday, but got called back to his unit Shabbat afternoon. It seems more frightening this time then when he went in last week. Maybe because we hoped it would end quickly? But who knows how long this violence and senseless killing will continue.

There were 6 or 7 attacks total Shabbat. I lost count.

What should one be doing? So many invitations to stay somewhere else. Perhaps 40,000- 50,000 residents of Ashkelon have temporarily left home. Am I being reckless staying in my home? But it is definitely awkward elsewhere. At least here I have my very accessible miklat and computer. I can even go out in the sun... and get back to the miklat in time.

Sunday morning, a cousin called to say she was on her way to somewhere near Beer Sheva with her kids. One of her sons is in the tank corps and has been in Gaza since the ground troops went in last week. His unit had few hours off and when asked said they were really hungry, so my cousin called a schwarma place near there and ordered 40 schwarmas to take to the boys.

In the makeshift village Nitzan, one of the "cara villas" that was set up north of Ashkelon for some of the families that had been evacuated from the Gaza strip in 2005, there are no shelters or fortified rooms. Out of necessity the government thought of a creative way to sort of solve the problem. With cranes they brought in huge fortified water pipes that are large enough to stand in and put them all over the place.

My friends, whose one story home has no miklat and no fortified room are looking into how they can protect themselves. One of the huge water pipes mentioned above would cost about 15,000 shekels before taxes, including having it placed in their garden. A ready made fortified "room" would cost about 70,000 shekels, and a few other options. A structure that was not officially approved would cost less. They were going to the bank to see if they could arrange for a loan. They are convinced that even if there is a ceasefire, either the rockets or threat of them will continue for years.

Pray for peace. Pray for peace.

Sad from Gezer

Rabbi Shai Gluskin — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:14:32 -0500

Steve Burnstein, an RRC student who lives in Israel, has posted some of his feelings about how he is feeling to his new blog. Steve is the Director of the Center for Israel and Diaspora Education at IsraelExperts. Previously he served as the Consultant for Israel Ed. at the Auerbach CAJE in Philly where he coordinated local professional development for the N. American Coalition for Israel Engagement, and also served as Rabbinic Intern at Bnai Keshet in Montclair, New Jersey. Steve is an RRC student who lives in Israel, not an American RRC student doing his year there. This means that his completion at RRC may be slow, but he's committed to being with his wife, Varda, and kids, Micah and Gabi where their family thrives the best. Here is an excerpt from the post, written on January 9.

I am mentally and physically exhausted from the anxiety & stress. But most of all I’m sad.

Sad that I have to think about whether going to work is safe – and where to run when the sirens sound.
Sad over the death of hundreds of Palestinian civilians.
Sad that my six and seven year old children know stories of people hit by Hamas rocket fire.
Sad by what I sometimes perceive as a lack of sensitivity to the horrible suffering and anguish of so many Israeli families - especially the children - who have been living with the constant threat of rockets for the years.
Sad at the conditions in which the Palestinians in Gaza have been living for so long – and Israel’s role along with Hamas in perpetuating this situation.
Sad to think that our children – young Israeli soldiers including kids from Gezer – are in the situation where they have to defend our people from those whose mission is our destruction – they and other innocents caught in the middle.
Sad at what this is doing to our souls.
Sad that thousands of Israeli children have been scarred for life - living in fear of rocket fire for more than 8 years and for whom the “color red” means “take cover.”
Sad at the image portrayed of Israel throughout the world right now.
And sad that this is how I’m bringing in the New Year.

Commemorate Israel 60 / Shabbat Israel

Lisa Tuttle — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:59:09 -0500

In celebration of Israel’s 60th Anniversary, the Shabbat between Yom HaShoah and Yom Ha’Atzmaut has been designated as Shabbat Israel by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and will be commemorated in an array of events throughout the country.

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, as a member of the Conference of Presidents and a partner in this initiative, invites all JRF congregations to devote the weekend of May 9-11 to special programs marking this historic milestone in Israel’s history.

Here are some helpful links to support your Israel 60 / Shabbat Israel event planning:

Zionism and Communal Covenant: A Reconstructionist Approach To Essential Jewish Principals An excerpt from the 2004 JRF Israel Policies Task Force Report

A Guide To Talking About Israel In Your Congregation By Rabbi Toba Spitzer

Reconstructionist Educators' Frequently Asked Questions on Israel By Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Rabbi Moti Rieber, and Rabbi Jeffrey Schein

JRF Resource library - Israel section

Pluralistic Judaism in Israel: A Report from the JRF Convention

JRF Omer Teaching: Beyond the Human Perspective, Rabbi Michael Cohen, Arava Institute, Israel

Rabbi Brant Rosen's Letter to Chicago Sun Times about Gaza

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:48:54 -0500

Rabbi Brant Rosen: Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston, ILRabbi Brant Rosen, spiritual leader of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, IL was recently on a Brit Tzedek v'Shalom mission to Israel. Upon his return he wrote this letter to the editor of the Chicago Sun Times. (See Rabbi Rosen's blog, Shalom Rav).

For a full set of resources on Israel see http://www.jrf.org/israel

To the editor:

I recently traveled with a Brit Tzedek v’Shalom (Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace) delegation to Israel and the Palestinian territories. We met with academics, peace activists, and politicians, including Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian Prime Minister Fayad. Among other things, we learned much about the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, circumstances reflected in the 1/22/08 article, “Tens of thousands of Palestinians flood into Egypt through breached Gaza wall.”

Critics of Gaza’s Hamas-led government blame the destitution on the firing of Qassam rockets into southern Israel and clearly, such attacks are intolerable. No country should be expected to remain passive under attack.

But are Israel’s economic blockade and military incursions providing the answer? Currently 860,000 Gazans – more than half the population – now rely on the UN for food. In recent military operations, some twenty Palestinians were killed, including a three-year-old girl. Israel may hope its tactics will turn Gazans against Hamas, but given the choice to hate Hamas or hate Israel, Palestinians will most certainly choose the latter.

Economic deprivation is clearly not working, and we know that there’s no military solution. As always, the only answer is negotiation, as President Bush indicated at the Annapolis peace conference. In the short term this means a negotiated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; long term, it means a two-state solution.

This won’t be easy. It won’t happen in one step, and more blood may be shed. Bush’s path is far from clear, but those who support Israel must support his efforts towards peace and encourage him to follow up his words with strong actions.

Clearly, war and collective punishment aren’t the answer. If Israel and the Palestinians want true peace and security, the only solution will occur across a table.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Brant Rosen
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston
Brit Tzedek v’Shalom Rabbinic Cabinet