Bravery Defined: combatants for peace

Would that more American Jews concerned for the integrity of Israel harkened to the message of these brave people.

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Elul: truth-telling and atonement

I know Elul is supposed to be the month of preparation for the spiritual work of the Days of Awe (Rosh Hashonah and Yom Kipppur), but I feel as if I’ve  been preparing for the holidays since January’s Gaza debacle. (Tikkun)knitting is my typical point of departure, and I have another vigil-like project on the [...]

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Rational Jew: keys and calling

It’s not that I have nothing to say.  It’s that I often am uncomfortable saying it, because I’m so committed to distinguishing between Diaspora Jewish identity and obligations, and Israeli Jewish identity and obligations.
And I suppose it’s also because – as an outsider, a Diaspora Jew – I really think Israeli Jews have the right [...]

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Isreal? in limbo: tongue-tied times, the smell of memory, know hope

It’s been a while since I’ve had enough clarity of thought to “think aloud” here regarding Israel.   Preparations for Passover, and especially the effort to sort out an effective “reform” of my family’s Haggadah, stalled me somewhat.   My inclusion of alternative passages suggested separately by Rabbis Arthur Waskow (Shalom Center) and Michael Lerner (Tikkun Magazine) [...]

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Clean Sweep 2: day & night

Lest it be thought I have no sense of humor … this is how it feels this year, having endeavored to “clean house” and identify both exterior and interior chametz .. And in anticipation of 18 guests for two seders: baked 8 lbs of brisket, 6 dozen macaroons, prepared pints of mushroom paté, a quart [...]

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Spring!: news from poems

from “Asphodel, That Greeny Flower”
Of asphodel, that greeny flower,
like a buttercup upon its branching stem-
save that it’s green and wooden-
I come, my sweet, to sing to you.
We lived long together a life filled,
if you will, with flowers. So that
I was cheered when I came first to know
that there were flowers also in hell.
Today I’m filled [...]

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Rational American Jew: unsettling truth

If you haven’t seen Bob Simon’s recent 60 Minutes report on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian West Bank and the ways in which settlers intend to prevent a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it’s time to do so.
The complete report in a single video is available on CBS’ site, or in two parts [...]

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Rational Reflection: henry siegman & the time for truth

Israel’s use of white phosphorus on Gazan civilians is thoroughly documented.  It is beyond question.  It is nauseating.  So now it’s time to process the facts.  It’s time for unequivocal and undiluted public criticism.
I’m turning to Henry Siegman (director of the US Middle East Project in New York, currently a visiting research professor at the [...]

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Gaza 7: ceasefire vigil

The shelling has stopped.  There’s ceasefire, or ceasefires.  After the nauseating devastation of the past few weeks, I want to do something in response to ceasefire.  To preserve seven fragile days’ quiet.  There’s so little to contribute from one pair of hands, one computer, one home, on this side of the world.  Except more art.  [...]

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Meditation: on ceasefire

A meditation on the seven days’ ceasefire.
The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun and the light of the sun will be intensified sevenfold like the light of seven days on the day when the Lord heals His people… (Isaiah 30:26)

(Chagall, Prophecy of Isaiah)

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