There are many HOLY PLACES in this beautiful world we are blessed to call home.
· When one travels to England to visit Holy Island, one finds Linsidfarne, an ancient place of prayer and reflection and contemplation and veneration, a sacred burial place of saints.
· If one journeys to Scotland's tiny Isle of Iona, one finds a very old place of prayer and meditation and rumination and reverence, the sacred burial place of kings.
· People from all over the world make pilgrimages to Mount Sinai in order to behold the ancient St. Catherine's Monastery, respected by Muslim and Jew and Christian, and which is to this day protected, because there are people who are committed to safeguard that hallowed place and believe it important to do so as long as it is possible.
At St. Catherine's there is a sign posted on which it is lettered plainly for all the world to read in Arabic and in Greek and in English these words:
"DO NOT FORGET THAT YOU ARE IN A HOLY PLACE".
It seems that many of our non-Shinnecock neighbors have forgotten that YOU ARE IN A HOLY PLACE, and that the Shinnecock Hills – all of the Shinnecock Hills, is a HOLY PLACE an ancient burial place for our people.
We have asked you to not desecrate our HOLY PLACES. And we have asked repeatedly for our Hills to be preserved, we have asked continually for this land and our spiritual beliefs and our sacred connection to this land be respected, and time and time again you ignore what we say, and over and over you draw lines on your paper, and trace boundaries on your maps, and sign checks in your checkbooks and record deeds in your deed books, and you think your inadequate attempts to truly protect and care for this HOLY PLACE worthy of our gratitude. To allow further construction on this land, as described in a deal I heard about today is to miss the point.
But I am not without hope – it is my hope that even this very night you might begin to think with your heart, and you might think a new thought about respecting your neighbors, and about regarding our HOLY PLACE, what there is left to protect of the Shinnecock Hills; the whole of these 13 contiguous acres.
If, however, past behavior is the best indication of future behavior, I ought place no trust in the thought that if there be found one human or funerary artifact, if there is found one ancient relic or even as many as 10 human bodies – as was recently the case on Shelter Island – that you would do anything other than continue with your plans to completely dominate the sacred lands of my people, and to commence with your vision of development which is destruction and pollution of our HOLY PLACE.
· There have been human burials found on the Shinnecock Hills Golf Course and, even so, it is not held in reverence by those who now occupy that land or by those whose play and commerce continues on those hills – at least not yet.
· There have been human burials unearthed on the campus of the Southampton College and yet it is not 'held apart' or set aside in reverence as a HOLY PLACE by those who currently occupy that land, business continues on those hills, too, at least today it did.
It would seem that the human remains found on the Golf Course and on the Southampton College Campus and in other places in the Shinnecock Hills are not respected because they are those of Native People; it would seem that because they are not the remains of white people whose local graves and holy places are regarded as worthy of respect, construction (as you call it) and destruction (as we call it) in this place – a place called even by non-Natives 'archeologically sensitive' – is continued with impunity.
It is my observation that the concern of this Township and its government is to, along with its current legal action against the Shinnecock Nation claiming that we do not exist, and that we do not have the right to exist, continue to do with our sacred land precisely what you wish, and to do exactly what makes the most money for those who deal in money, and to do what ever translates into the greatest 'political profit' for those who deal in power and votes and public opinion.
Where are the HOLY PLACES OF THE SHINNECOCK? The HOLY PLACES OF THE SHINNECOCK lie beneath the grand homes and palaces and golf courses and tennis courts of our neighbors who have yet to understand that this land is more than merely their passing property investment – it is our life – and you care very little for the life of my Shinnecock People as demonstrated daily here in the heart of the Hamptons at the height of the season.
IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOU WILL SHOW ME SOMETHING NEW TONIGHT.
Reverend Holly Haile Davis, DD
August 22, 2006
Testamony at hearing on Southampton Town acceptance of easements on the property of Robert Romeo in Shinnecock Hills.
The Spirit of the Land
This is about saving the land and the spirit of the land.
To many of us Europeans the land is just real estate -
and real estate is big in the Hamptons.
But think: where did this real estate come from?
I have no more words.
So I borrow some from a Native brother.
Luther Standing Bear was a 20th century Lakota chief. He said:
"But in the Indian the spirit of the land is still vested,
it will be until other men are able to divine
and meet its rhythm.
Men must be born and reborn to belong.
Their bodies must be formed
of the dust of their forefathers' bones." *
Chief Standing Bear also said:
" The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man's heart,
away from nature, becomes hard;
he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things
soon led to lack of respect for humans too. " *
________________________________________________________________
* quoted from "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Peter Matthiessen , Viking, New York, 1991
Testimony in regard to preserving land in Shinnecock Hills. Delivered to Southampton Town Board, August 22, 2006 by Anthony Ernst.
To many of us Europeans the land is just real estate -
and real estate is big in the Hamptons.
But think: where did this real estate come from?
I have no more words.
So I borrow some from a Native brother.
Luther Standing Bear was a 20th century Lakota chief. He said:
"But in the Indian the spirit of the land is still vested,
it will be until other men are able to divine
and meet its rhythm.
Men must be born and reborn to belong.
Their bodies must be formed
of the dust of their forefathers' bones." *
Chief Standing Bear also said:
" The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man's heart,
away from nature, becomes hard;
he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things
soon led to lack of respect for humans too. " *
________________________________________________________________
* quoted from "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Peter Matthiessen , Viking, New York, 1991
Testimony in regard to preserving land in Shinnecock Hills. Delivered to Southampton Town Board, August 22, 2006 by Anthony Ernst.
Peace & Justice Calendar Starting August 23
Click here for August 31 Calendar
Calendar Starting August 24:
For details about the following events SCROLL DOWN:
* August 25 (Friday): Film: Sisters of Resistance in Greenport at 8pm
* August 27 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm
* September 11 (Monday): Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace on Fire Island 8 - 9:30am
_______________________________________________
Repeating Events:
( see Counter-Recruiting for listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations)
* Sunday Nights: "Bush is a Liar Choir" rehearses in Lindenhurst from 7 to 9pm
* Every Thursday evening - Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30
* "Herstory" Writing Workshops on Wednesdays in Farmingville (Spanish and English) 3 to 5 pm and Thursdays in Spanish only in East Hampton at 7 pm
* Second Tuesday of Month: South Fork Chapter of LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30 pm
Details Follow:
________________________________________________
August 25 (Friday): Film: Sisters of Resistance in Greenport at 8pm
The North Fork People of Conscience documentary film series is presenting SISTERS OF RESISTANCE on Friday, August 25 at 8 pm at the Peconic Landing auditorium in Greenport.
Admission is free.
The film is one hour long and will be followed by an audience discussion.
More information about the film can be found on our blog
nfpofc.blogspot.com
________________________________________________
August 27 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm
East End Women in Black continue their long running vigil this Sunday August 27 at 5pm at the monument/flagpole in Bridgehampton. This marks the start of the fifth year of these vigils.
There will be another vigil at 5pm in Bridgehampton on Sunday September 3.
More Info: www.eewib.blogspot.com or 631-831-4966
________________________________________________
September 11 (Monday): Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace on Fire Island 8 - 9:30am
Mark the anniversary of September 11th in a Walk for Peace to reflect on the tragic events of that day, remember those who lost their lives in the attacks, those who lost or risked their lives saving others, and make a stand for peace at a time of great danger, suffering and war around the world.
The walk is on Monday, September 11th. It starts at 8am at the top of No Name Walk in Lonelyville, Fire Island (a.k.a Plank Walk -- most western walk in Lonelyville, Fire Island) and ends at the Fire Island Lighthouse -- approximate arrival time 9:00am.
Why:
• To take a step in the right direction for a peaceful world.
• Because Fire Island offers a beautiful, serene environment that will enable thoughtful reflection and bring like minds together.
• Because volunteers have created peace inspired displays along route.
• Because the Fire Island Ferries has generously donated a FREE return ferry ride from the Lighthouse/ Ranger's Dock at leaving 10:45am to FAIR HARBOR.
Directons: From Bay Shore, take the Fire Island Ferries (99 Maple Avenue, 7:00am boat) to Dunewood. At the Dunewood ferry dock walk south to Central Walk. Make a left (heading east) at the tennis courts and continue past the Lonelyville community garden (wooden walk). At end, make a right and continue straight up to beach.
The "Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace" will take place rain or shine
For information call Tara at (631) 583-877-9219, or via email at tmcb@erols.com
__________________________________________________
Repeating Events:
See Suffolk Peace Vigils for a complete list of weekly and monthly vigils.
See Counter Recruiting Schedule for a listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations.
________________________________________________
Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst: Join political action singing group.
Participate in songs regarding environment, anti-war, labor, multiculturalism, civil rights, and other issues. Sing historic songs of struggle and social change. Explore the role of music in political movements. Experience singing musical arrangements, in four part harmony.
Perform these songs for others. Contribute to the progressive movement while becoming culturally enriched. If you've ever wanted to be in a singing group, now is your chance! Experienced and non-experienced singers are welcome. All we ask is that you are able to sing on pitch.
Rehearsals take place, Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst.
Anyone interested, please call Lisa Fishbein at: (631) 957-4954
________________________________________________
Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30 pm
The group meets at the Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway on Thursdays at 6:30pmContact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita(at)verizon(dot)net
____________________________________________________
"Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English
Mondays in Farmingville:
Herstory Writers Workshop meets every Monday afternoon at the Farmingville branch of the Workplace Project from 3 to 5. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking women come together to share and shape their life experiences through memoir writing. The workshop is conducted in both English and Spanish.
Call 631-723-0150 for more information and directions to the center.
Thursdays in East Hampton:
Every Thursday Spanish-speaking women come together to share their writing with one another and receive feedback on how to structure and shape their lifewriting.
The East Hampton workshop is open to East Hampton Town residents and is conducted entirely in SpanishIt meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 128 Springs-Fireplace Road.Call 631-723-0150 for more information.
___________________________________________________
Second Tuesday each month:
South Fork Chapter - LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30pm The regular monthly meeting of the South Fork chapter of the Progressive Coalition is at 6:30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Lutheran Church on Montauk Highway & Hayground Rd. between Water Mill and Bridgehampton.
Info: 516-541-1006, ext.55 or www dot lipc dot org
_____________________________________________________
Send event listings for next week's report by 5pm Tuesday to eastendreport@yahoo.com
Plain old text would be appreciated!
Calendar Starting August 24:
For details about the following events SCROLL DOWN:
* August 25 (Friday): Film: Sisters of Resistance in Greenport at 8pm
* August 27 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm
* September 11 (Monday): Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace on Fire Island 8 - 9:30am
_______________________________________________
Repeating Events:
( see Counter-Recruiting for listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations)
* Sunday Nights: "Bush is a Liar Choir" rehearses in Lindenhurst from 7 to 9pm
* Every Thursday evening - Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30
* "Herstory" Writing Workshops on Wednesdays in Farmingville (Spanish and English) 3 to 5 pm and Thursdays in Spanish only in East Hampton at 7 pm
* Second Tuesday of Month: South Fork Chapter of LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30 pm
Details Follow:
________________________________________________
August 25 (Friday): Film: Sisters of Resistance in Greenport at 8pm
The North Fork People of Conscience documentary film series is presenting SISTERS OF RESISTANCE on Friday, August 25 at 8 pm at the Peconic Landing auditorium in Greenport.
Admission is free.
The film is one hour long and will be followed by an audience discussion.
More information about the film can be found on our blog
nfpofc.blogspot.com
________________________________________________
August 27 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm
East End Women in Black continue their long running vigil this Sunday August 27 at 5pm at the monument/flagpole in Bridgehampton. This marks the start of the fifth year of these vigils.
There will be another vigil at 5pm in Bridgehampton on Sunday September 3.
More Info: www.eewib.blogspot.com or 631-831-4966
________________________________________________
September 11 (Monday): Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace on Fire Island 8 - 9:30am
Mark the anniversary of September 11th in a Walk for Peace to reflect on the tragic events of that day, remember those who lost their lives in the attacks, those who lost or risked their lives saving others, and make a stand for peace at a time of great danger, suffering and war around the world.
The walk is on Monday, September 11th. It starts at 8am at the top of No Name Walk in Lonelyville, Fire Island (a.k.a Plank Walk -- most western walk in Lonelyville, Fire Island) and ends at the Fire Island Lighthouse -- approximate arrival time 9:00am.
Why:
• To take a step in the right direction for a peaceful world.
• Because Fire Island offers a beautiful, serene environment that will enable thoughtful reflection and bring like minds together.
• Because volunteers have created peace inspired displays along route.
• Because the Fire Island Ferries has generously donated a FREE return ferry ride from the Lighthouse/ Ranger's Dock at leaving 10:45am to FAIR HARBOR.
Directons: From Bay Shore, take the Fire Island Ferries (99 Maple Avenue, 7:00am boat) to Dunewood. At the Dunewood ferry dock walk south to Central Walk. Make a left (heading east) at the tennis courts and continue past the Lonelyville community garden (wooden walk). At end, make a right and continue straight up to beach.
The "Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace" will take place rain or shine
For information call Tara at (631) 583-877-9219, or via email at tmcb@erols.com
__________________________________________________
Repeating Events:
See Suffolk Peace Vigils for a complete list of weekly and monthly vigils.
See Counter Recruiting Schedule for a listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations.
________________________________________________
Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst: Join political action singing group.
Participate in songs regarding environment, anti-war, labor, multiculturalism, civil rights, and other issues. Sing historic songs of struggle and social change. Explore the role of music in political movements. Experience singing musical arrangements, in four part harmony.
Perform these songs for others. Contribute to the progressive movement while becoming culturally enriched. If you've ever wanted to be in a singing group, now is your chance! Experienced and non-experienced singers are welcome. All we ask is that you are able to sing on pitch.
Rehearsals take place, Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst.
Anyone interested, please call Lisa Fishbein at: (631) 957-4954
________________________________________________
Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30 pm
The group meets at the Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway on Thursdays at 6:30pmContact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita(at)verizon(dot)net
____________________________________________________
"Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English
Mondays in Farmingville:
Herstory Writers Workshop meets every Monday afternoon at the Farmingville branch of the Workplace Project from 3 to 5. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking women come together to share and shape their life experiences through memoir writing. The workshop is conducted in both English and Spanish.
Call 631-723-0150 for more information and directions to the center.
Thursdays in East Hampton:
Every Thursday Spanish-speaking women come together to share their writing with one another and receive feedback on how to structure and shape their lifewriting.
The East Hampton workshop is open to East Hampton Town residents and is conducted entirely in SpanishIt meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 128 Springs-Fireplace Road.Call 631-723-0150 for more information.
___________________________________________________
Second Tuesday each month:
South Fork Chapter - LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30pm The regular monthly meeting of the South Fork chapter of the Progressive Coalition is at 6:30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Lutheran Church on Montauk Highway & Hayground Rd. between Water Mill and Bridgehampton.
Info: 516-541-1006, ext.55 or www dot lipc dot org
_____________________________________________________
Send event listings for next week's report by 5pm Tuesday to eastendreport@yahoo.com
Plain old text would be appreciated!
Week of August 17, 2006
For an updated East End Report click here
In this week's report: [ click on any of the bold headers below ]
Why doesn't Israel work for peace?
East End Youth with SO(u)L Festival - Saturday in Bridghampton
Antje Katcher: Poetry
Dems Hold Congressional Fundraiser - Locals Opt Out
Film: Sisters in Resistance - in Greenport
Peace & Justice Calendar Updated 8-17
Suffolk Peace Vigils (East End Women in Black Vigil 4th Anniverary Sunday)
Counter Recruiting Schedule
Alternative Media for Eastern LI
Support Independent Media: WUSB and WPKN/WPKM need your support.
Go to wpkn(dot)org and wusb(dot)fm and contribute on line.
See wpkn.org/today for program details on WPKM heard at 88.7 Montauk to Water Mill and WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport to Southampton and Southold.
Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez: Monday- Saturday on Riverhead/Southampton/Southold Channel 20.
Monday 10pm
Tuesday 9 pm
Wednesday 6am
Thursday 5pm
Friday 7pm
Saturday 8pm
See the North Fork People of Conscience web site
Also see the Suffolk Progressive Vision web site for links to more local events.
The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst.
Send comments, corrections and event listings to eastendreport@yahoo.com
Why doesn't Israel work for peace?
From Newsday:
Holocaust victims would decry the slaughter of innocent children during attacks on Hezbollah
BY SILVIA TENNENBAUM
Silvia Tennenbaum, a writer in East Hampton, is author of the novels "Yesterday's Streets" and "Rachel, the Rabbi's Wife."
August 4, 2006
As a Jew who escaped the Holocaust by moving with my family to America in 1938, I turn on the BBC at night. And what I see are clouds of black smoke, explosions; the dead and the dying - children crying bitterly, cities in ruins. Only yesterday, these piles of rubble in Lebanon were home to thousands. Now, the cars roll out onto the highways, white flags attached to the windshields and doors. More than half a million are homeless.
The Israelis told them to leave, but then strafed one convoy from a helicopter. The military people exert their force without pity. They win their wars proudly. They are the masters of force.
Using the most modern weapons the United States can supply to search out the Hezbollah guerrillas, the Israeli soldiers destroy Lebanon. They wreck all of Gaza, seeking to murder the leaders of Hamas.
Many American Jews gather proudly to cheer them on. The face of the American president remains blank. A patter of platitudes issues from his lips. He is not interested in peace. He is happy to see Israel do the dirty war for him. Diplomacy is a word not in his dictionary.
But lo and behold - even as the destruction builds and the war continues through its third week - it seems suddenly no longer such a lark. Success is hard to come by; Israel is no longer the perennial victor. But will it know what to do when faced with the need to talk with the enemy? It has always felt so invincible that discussion seemed the weapon of fools and weaklings, much like the way the earnest work of its principled and dedicated peace camp - Jewish to the core, in an "old-fashioned" way - seemed pathetic and misguided.
But the peace camp knew that each and every Israeli atrocity nurtured another enemy, a potential terrorist, while every Palestinian home that the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions helped to rebuild, every olive tree it planted tenderly in occupied soil, brought another possible friend, another partner in dialogue.
Meanwhile, back at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, deep in the heart of the Jewish Lobby, the call to action is, as always, a call for solidarity, for good public relations. Denounce terrorism, suicide bombers and anti-Semitism in all its endless variations, which includes the "self-hatred" of the misguided Jew who asks us to give some thought to where we - obsessed with brutal retaliation - may have gone wrong.
And, it goes without saying, loyal Jews must talk about the Holocaust. Ignore the images of today's dead and dying, and focus on the grainy black-and-white pictures showing the death of Jews in the villages of Poland, at Auschwitz and Sobibor and Bergen-Belsen. We are the first, the only true victims, the champions of helplessness for all eternity.
No matter what great accomplishments were ours in the diaspora, no matter that we produced Maimonides and Spinoza, Moses Mendelssohn and hundreds of others of mankind's benefactors - not a warrior among them! - look at the world of our long exile always in the dark light of the Shoah. But this, in itself, is an obscene distortion: Would the author of "Survival in Auschwitz," Primo Levi, or the poet Paul Celan demand that we slaughter the innocents in a land far from the snow-clad forests of Poland? Is it a heroic act to murder a child, even the child of an enemy? Are my brethren glad of it and proud?
I am heartsick, and still I see a glimmer of hope (there must be that glimmer, to go on at 78 years).
The American peace camp reports a sudden massive increase in membership. All over the country, Jews whose consciences have not been crippled are writing in, speaking up, gathering, to raise their voices. Is this not what we have always done? What we were brought up to do? What - since the days of the Bible and the prophets - our forefathers taught us? If Israel had worked for peace as hard as it has worked for war, might it not all be settled now?
Three hundred British Jews took out an ad in the Times of London to ask the question, "What is Israel doing?" This question has now been taken up by Jewish Voice for Peace, and by Alan Sokal and Bruce Robbins who, some years back, placed an ad in The New York Times, that read, "Not in Our Name."
The time is long overdue for Jews to return to their role as the world's conscience, who come to the aid of the dispossessed, the wretched of the earth. Once again, we must join those who demand the end to unjust wars - in Iraq as well as Lebanon - and an unjust occupation in Gaza. We must honor the example of American civil rights workers Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, not that of the mass murderer Baruch Goldstein or Yigal Amir, killer of Yitzhak Rabin.
And perhaps the day will come that we will be counted - by Jew and Arab alike - as among the Just, perhaps even given a place at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, for the lives we helped to save in a lawless, savage time.
copyright Newsday
Holocaust victims would decry the slaughter of innocent children during attacks on Hezbollah
BY SILVIA TENNENBAUM
Silvia Tennenbaum, a writer in East Hampton, is author of the novels "Yesterday's Streets" and "Rachel, the Rabbi's Wife."
August 4, 2006
As a Jew who escaped the Holocaust by moving with my family to America in 1938, I turn on the BBC at night. And what I see are clouds of black smoke, explosions; the dead and the dying - children crying bitterly, cities in ruins. Only yesterday, these piles of rubble in Lebanon were home to thousands. Now, the cars roll out onto the highways, white flags attached to the windshields and doors. More than half a million are homeless.
The Israelis told them to leave, but then strafed one convoy from a helicopter. The military people exert their force without pity. They win their wars proudly. They are the masters of force.
Using the most modern weapons the United States can supply to search out the Hezbollah guerrillas, the Israeli soldiers destroy Lebanon. They wreck all of Gaza, seeking to murder the leaders of Hamas.
Many American Jews gather proudly to cheer them on. The face of the American president remains blank. A patter of platitudes issues from his lips. He is not interested in peace. He is happy to see Israel do the dirty war for him. Diplomacy is a word not in his dictionary.
But lo and behold - even as the destruction builds and the war continues through its third week - it seems suddenly no longer such a lark. Success is hard to come by; Israel is no longer the perennial victor. But will it know what to do when faced with the need to talk with the enemy? It has always felt so invincible that discussion seemed the weapon of fools and weaklings, much like the way the earnest work of its principled and dedicated peace camp - Jewish to the core, in an "old-fashioned" way - seemed pathetic and misguided.
But the peace camp knew that each and every Israeli atrocity nurtured another enemy, a potential terrorist, while every Palestinian home that the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions helped to rebuild, every olive tree it planted tenderly in occupied soil, brought another possible friend, another partner in dialogue.
Meanwhile, back at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, deep in the heart of the Jewish Lobby, the call to action is, as always, a call for solidarity, for good public relations. Denounce terrorism, suicide bombers and anti-Semitism in all its endless variations, which includes the "self-hatred" of the misguided Jew who asks us to give some thought to where we - obsessed with brutal retaliation - may have gone wrong.
And, it goes without saying, loyal Jews must talk about the Holocaust. Ignore the images of today's dead and dying, and focus on the grainy black-and-white pictures showing the death of Jews in the villages of Poland, at Auschwitz and Sobibor and Bergen-Belsen. We are the first, the only true victims, the champions of helplessness for all eternity.
No matter what great accomplishments were ours in the diaspora, no matter that we produced Maimonides and Spinoza, Moses Mendelssohn and hundreds of others of mankind's benefactors - not a warrior among them! - look at the world of our long exile always in the dark light of the Shoah. But this, in itself, is an obscene distortion: Would the author of "Survival in Auschwitz," Primo Levi, or the poet Paul Celan demand that we slaughter the innocents in a land far from the snow-clad forests of Poland? Is it a heroic act to murder a child, even the child of an enemy? Are my brethren glad of it and proud?
I am heartsick, and still I see a glimmer of hope (there must be that glimmer, to go on at 78 years).
The American peace camp reports a sudden massive increase in membership. All over the country, Jews whose consciences have not been crippled are writing in, speaking up, gathering, to raise their voices. Is this not what we have always done? What we were brought up to do? What - since the days of the Bible and the prophets - our forefathers taught us? If Israel had worked for peace as hard as it has worked for war, might it not all be settled now?
Three hundred British Jews took out an ad in the Times of London to ask the question, "What is Israel doing?" This question has now been taken up by Jewish Voice for Peace, and by Alan Sokal and Bruce Robbins who, some years back, placed an ad in The New York Times, that read, "Not in Our Name."
The time is long overdue for Jews to return to their role as the world's conscience, who come to the aid of the dispossessed, the wretched of the earth. Once again, we must join those who demand the end to unjust wars - in Iraq as well as Lebanon - and an unjust occupation in Gaza. We must honor the example of American civil rights workers Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, not that of the mass murderer Baruch Goldstein or Yigal Amir, killer of Yitzhak Rabin.
And perhaps the day will come that we will be counted - by Jew and Arab alike - as among the Just, perhaps even given a place at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, for the lives we helped to save in a lawless, savage time.
copyright Newsday
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