. . . with a sincere promise of a longer one later.
First of all, yes, Sandra and I are safe here in Eretz Israel. Quite safe, as a matter of fact. Even more as a matter of fact, 5 hours ago I sat in a Mosque in Umm al-Fahm outside where these protests took place yesterday, and then walked through the same streets and was greeted by school children with "Shalom" when they saw my kippa.
My advice and thoughts as CNN and friends blare the news: everything here is much more complicated and nuanced than CNN and friends could ever deliver. Everything is complicated. I'll see your argument and raise you one devil's-advocate for any pro or against thought you have about any issue in Israel (ok -- not ANY -- I am still a Progressive Jew -- my practice may be traditional, my kitchen may be kosher, but equality of women in all aspects of Judaism isn't really something I am willing step away from, among a few other such things.) Yes, the situation is not good. But it is also so complicated that absolute pronouncements of fault at any level of the argument on any side probably mean that the information has not been looked into. I am willing to sit down and explain and debate and talk to anyone about the issues, but it is doubtful you will hear a claim from me about clear solutions, demons, or otherwise.
But we are safe. We are heeding security warnings and avoiding the Old City for the moment. We are paying attention as we would anyway. But more importantly we do what seems to be the most important and noble thing to do -- continue to live and study and participate in this path without running when CNN and friends suggest with carefully chosen videos that we do so.
Best to you all . . . .
First of all, yes, Sandra and I are safe here in Eretz Israel. Quite safe, as a matter of fact. Even more as a matter of fact, 5 hours ago I sat in a Mosque in Umm al-Fahm outside where these protests took place yesterday, and then walked through the same streets and was greeted by school children with "Shalom" when they saw my kippa.
My advice and thoughts as CNN and friends blare the news: everything here is much more complicated and nuanced than CNN and friends could ever deliver. Everything is complicated. I'll see your argument and raise you one devil's-advocate for any pro or against thought you have about any issue in Israel (ok -- not ANY -- I am still a Progressive Jew -- my practice may be traditional, my kitchen may be kosher, but equality of women in all aspects of Judaism isn't really something I am willing step away from, among a few other such things.) Yes, the situation is not good. But it is also so complicated that absolute pronouncements of fault at any level of the argument on any side probably mean that the information has not been looked into. I am willing to sit down and explain and debate and talk to anyone about the issues, but it is doubtful you will hear a claim from me about clear solutions, demons, or otherwise.
But we are safe. We are heeding security warnings and avoiding the Old City for the moment. We are paying attention as we would anyway. But more importantly we do what seems to be the most important and noble thing to do -- continue to live and study and participate in this path without running when CNN and friends suggest with carefully chosen videos that we do so.
Best to you all . . . .
1 comments:
Glad to hear you are both well.
And, not that I have anything to argue you about (that I know of), but I wish you were nearby to debate with nonetheless!
Post a Comment