Let’s Talk About Israel
On an episode of “The Daily Show” this summer, Jon Stewart spoke about Israel. In this specific segment, Stewart informed his viewers how America was re-supplying Israel with ammunition to defend itself against Hamas. In response to this, he said, “We cannot be Israel’s rehab sponsor and it’s drug dealer. It’s not going to work.” Well, I am sure you can imagine the backlash Stewart received. To many, this was unjustified criticism of Israel. To others, it was spot on commentary. Regardless, it landed him in a cauldron of political hot water. Not one to back down from any controversy, Stewart responded to all of the clamor in his next episode.
On the show, Stewart poked fun at all the pundits and viewers who criticized …show more content…
A person may only speak when they are holding a specific object.
2. No one else may speak or interrupt at any time.
3. A person may only speak for 3 minutes and then when the timer goes off, they must pass the object to the person next to them.
4. No one may respond to any comment another participant said.
5. Listen to others. Really hear what they have to say.
At first, I thought this was way too structured for what was designed to be a relaxing evening talking about some Jewish topic. I thought the participants would feel stifled and that it would just seem awkward having to follow such strict guidelines. (And the facilitators were strict. They enforced the rules big time.) However, I couldn’t have been more wrong about how I perceived the evening was going to flow.
The 15 of us sitting in Esther’s living room all experienced something very moving. We all shared our thoughts and feelings and struggles about Israel several times and that in itself was therapeutic. But even more than that, each of us got to hear how others see their relationship to Israel and feel about the current situation. We realized that while we all differ in our thoughts, deep down we all love and care about Israel and her …show more content…
And so because of this profound experience that the 15 of us had a few months ago, for those interested, we are going to replicate the structure and formality of that event tomorrow afternoon during the study session following the morning service at 1:30pm.
Anyone is welcome to participate. Esther, Belle, Linda and I will each facilitate a group.
Most of the same rules will apply. Afterwards, I think we will feel as though the first hurdle in talking about Israel will have been accomplished. We must first get over our fear of sharing how we feel about our homeland. We ought to speak as freely about
Israel as we do when we argue and discuss the Torah portion on Saturday mornings.
My hope is that congregants and others in the Bellingham community will view Beth
Israel as a place--a safe place--where one can speak to another about issues that have deep and profound affects on us.
Rabbi Yoffie writes, “When congregations are at their best, members hold respectful debates, truly listen to each other, and speak personal truths without reprimanding those with whom they disagree.”5
Let us honor our diversity of thought by opening our minds and hearts to insightful and thoughtful points of view that may be very different than own own. May our mission
On an episode of “The Daily Show” this summer, Jon Stewart spoke about Israel. In this specific segment, Stewart informed his viewers how America was re-supplying Israel with ammunition to defend itself against Hamas. In response to this, he said, “We cannot be Israel’s rehab sponsor and it’s drug dealer. It’s not going to work.” Well, I am sure you can imagine the backlash Stewart received. To many, this was unjustified criticism of Israel. To others, it was spot on commentary. Regardless, it landed him in a cauldron of political hot water. Not one to back down from any controversy, Stewart responded to all of the clamor in his next episode.
On the show, Stewart poked fun at all the pundits and viewers who criticized …show more content…
A person may only speak when they are holding a specific object.
2. No one else may speak or interrupt at any time.
3. A person may only speak for 3 minutes and then when the timer goes off, they must pass the object to the person next to them.
4. No one may respond to any comment another participant said.
5. Listen to others. Really hear what they have to say.
At first, I thought this was way too structured for what was designed to be a relaxing evening talking about some Jewish topic. I thought the participants would feel stifled and that it would just seem awkward having to follow such strict guidelines. (And the facilitators were strict. They enforced the rules big time.) However, I couldn’t have been more wrong about how I perceived the evening was going to flow.
The 15 of us sitting in Esther’s living room all experienced something very moving. We all shared our thoughts and feelings and struggles about Israel several times and that in itself was therapeutic. But even more than that, each of us got to hear how others see their relationship to Israel and feel about the current situation. We realized that while we all differ in our thoughts, deep down we all love and care about Israel and her …show more content…
And so because of this profound experience that the 15 of us had a few months ago, for those interested, we are going to replicate the structure and formality of that event tomorrow afternoon during the study session following the morning service at 1:30pm.
Anyone is welcome to participate. Esther, Belle, Linda and I will each facilitate a group.
Most of the same rules will apply. Afterwards, I think we will feel as though the first hurdle in talking about Israel will have been accomplished. We must first get over our fear of sharing how we feel about our homeland. We ought to speak as freely about
Israel as we do when we argue and discuss the Torah portion on Saturday mornings.
My hope is that congregants and others in the Bellingham community will view Beth
Israel as a place--a safe place--where one can speak to another about issues that have deep and profound affects on us.
Rabbi Yoffie writes, “When congregations are at their best, members hold respectful debates, truly listen to each other, and speak personal truths without reprimanding those with whom they disagree.”5
Let us honor our diversity of thought by opening our minds and hearts to insightful and thoughtful points of view that may be very different than own own. May our mission