As a Jew I am asked about Israel, about anti-semitism, about the Holodaust, about rituals and holidays, about ethics, and more.
Relative to anti-semitism I usually answer thatI have not experienced it much or at all.
About the Holocaust I say that those horrors were truly terrible, horrible, shameful, wrong... BUT not directly related to issues of anti-semitism... now.
About rituals and holidays and ethics ... and more ... I can say a lot with informatiion and experiences and questions and education.
Israel is a very special case... and always has been. Isreal is one of the central pillars of Judaism. For most it is a supporting pillar and for some it is a pillar that is not longer important in a universalistic humanistic world... if there is such a world, I have come to wonder! As a pillar it was for a long time a yeaning. In the mid-20th century and up to now, 2026, it is a reality on the ground, so to speak, that is nationalistic. When we yearned for Israel and for Jerusalem we were a nation. Now we a a people with a nation and the nationalistic needs of the geographic realities. Israel is no longer some ideal. Israel is now real.
I am not a person who is committed to many ideas, points of view, feelings, etc. One thing I say I am committed to is I am fiercely against captial punishment. At my Seder this year I mentioned that in regards to a new law in Israel allowing for capital punishment and I oppose that for any and all who might be subjected to that consequence!
I am also a person who is committed to the beauty and wonder of the State of Israel. Israel IS. I am proud and happy we have a homeland after 2000 years of yearning. I am proud knowing Israel has defended itself againt great offenses. Israel is strong and successful relative to its survival!
I am also what I think is referred to as a humanist. I believe in the basic goodness of most people. Pollyanaish is another way to describe me here as I say I think, feel, believe that most people are good and want to live productive positivel peaceful lives.
SO what is the core of the problems in the Middle East with Israel on one side of the conflict with the other side consisting of those called Palestinians!? NOTE I use the word Palestinians but I could instead positively use the terms Gazans and WestBankers to distinguish truly separate identities and sets of possibilities and problems. However, in both cases - the leadership of all the conflicting groups is at the core of the problems. The leaders want to be leaders and they maintain their positions by stirring up the pot of conflict so as to mobilize followers to the distraction of hate and hostility. Fear and threats seem to move people to come together in defense/offense. Love and joyfulness are much more personal and subjective and directly connect individuals. Hate and hostility bring groups of people together in communities. Individuals seek and find peace in families which are small intimate communities. Therein lies the differences and the core of the problems.
I AM a member of communities. That is more real and true than I sometimes think and express. And today in my senior years I do not want to be outside of community however my positive committment is to the greatest community on Earth, the community of all good people who want peace and love and truth and equity and equality and acceptance and tolerance! Those "wants" transcend individuals and families and communities and nations. I want peace for all everywhere! So: DECLARE PEACE!!!!
I say all the above as a Jew with a community and a family in a nation. I have loyalties on some levels to those distinct and overlapping groupings. I SEE THE OTHER!!!
Discussing these ideas is very, very difficult. I often find myself hearing others AND acknowledging others while others do not seem to hear or acknowledge those who are other to them. I generally find people have taken some side .. and defending that side is paramount in any discussion. Seeing the other and considering what I can do relative to the other is in my power. When I sense the "other" ios not considering me or some other and not considering what they can co relative to me or some other... than why carry on the discussion. Rigidy seems to be strength to most of us. Hardness seems synonomous with strength. The truth, in physics, material science, etc .. is the opposite. Bending is more more likely going to allow a person or structure to survive, live, grow. The rigid and the hard crack and break into pieces and do not survive, live, grow.
WHEN WILL WE EVER LEARN!
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