Shabbat Gathering: Ceasefire now. Release the hostages now.
Dear Chevrei, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:
Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799
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Here we go.
These are tragic times. The attack against Israel is horrifying. As horrifying is Israel’s attack Palestine. I believe these times demand radical simplicity: an immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages.
I’ve had some false starts writing this week's newsletter. I tried using it as a platform to advocate for Jewish organizations that are demanding an immediate ceasefire, specifically IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace. I’m afraid that these organizations might be too radical for most of us even though I'm a member of both. Their positions and language line up with what our synagogue has enunciated over the past few years. Somehow, it doesn’t seem the right time to be blaming Israel for the unprecedented attack it has suffered. At the same time, I’m repelled by the ongoing violence Israel is waging against the Palestine. It’s wrong for my grief to be weaponized against Palestine.
Antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
I try to draw a line between Antisemitism and anti-Zionism and, most of the time, I believe most people confuse the two ideas. Most of the time, I believe most of the guilt falls to Israel, not to Jews. However, when people are marching and chanting "From the river to the sea," I think this is Antisemitism, not just anti-Zionism. Words like "apartheid" are being attached to Israel, and I believe, most of the time, this is accurate. I believe, though, that when this is weaponized into mass murder, I get off that bus all together.
Over all, I want to be an ally to both Palestine and Israel. Generations of conflict, both on the battlefield and off, have created a situation too complex to easily parse into good guys and bad guys. My opinion is that an immediate ceasefire and release of this hostages is what both sides deserve. And I feel let down by the U.S. government for not advocating a ceasefire. We cannot fight our way to peace. Violence begets more violence.
I don’t know how to comfort you during these troubled times when peace seems so far away. If I had hope, I would pass it along. I spoke with my therapist earlier this week and it was hard to impress on her on how deeply I feel about a situation so far away. And I’m very isolated here in Arkansas. I don’t have a neighborhood Jewish cohort that can be a source of strength and hope. Except for you.
So, that’s all I have for you this week. I wish there was more I could offer you as I have very tender feelings for all of you. Every week, we come together and lift each other up for the peace and love of Shabbat. And may this week be no different from all the others.
And may it be for all of us a blessing.
See you tonight!
Gut Shabbes!
All my love,
brian.
PS
Peter Beinart is a progressive Jewish thinker. He addressed our congregation a couple of months ago on Palestinian / Israeli issues, before the Hamas attack. This week, he published a newsletter proposing an immediate ceasefire and release of civilian hostages. I highly recommend it as it might give you some feeling of hope.
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