Comments on: The Fraternity http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/2010/07/10/the-fraternity/ Most of these topics are over the (Green) line. Authored by Kung Fu Jew 18. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 05:47:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Alix http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/2010/07/10/the-fraternity/comment-page-1/#comment-10687 Alix Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:50:26 +0000 http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/?p=1101#comment-10687 Ah Ben, I have read this 3 times now (glad you know me already, and know I'm not a stalker...) and am blown away. I've sent it to my dad and to friends...and I wonder how I became one of those who has just given up hope that things will ever change. I used to be so hopeful and passionate about this issue, and now I feel so hopeless. I am glad that the younger generation is waking up to this and has leaders like you because while I still feel the indignation and injustice, I just don't have the energy so much anymore... Sigh. Alix Ah Ben, I have read this 3 times now (glad you know me already, and know I’m not a stalker…) and am blown away. I’ve sent it to my dad and to friends…and I wonder how I became one of those who has just given up hope that things will ever change. I used to be so hopeful and passionate about this issue, and now I feel so hopeless. I am glad that the younger generation is waking up to this and has leaders like you because while I still feel the indignation and injustice, I just don’t have the energy so much anymore…
Sigh.
Alix

]]> By: Kung Fu Jew 18 http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/2010/07/10/the-fraternity/comment-page-1/#comment-10674 Kung Fu Jew 18 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:17:06 +0000 http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/?p=1101#comment-10674 Thanks for the kind comments from everyone. "Fraternal" and "fraternity" have definitions that are not exclusive to men and certainly there is no peace movement without the women activists I know. Littlerose is precisely such a person, as is Last Trumpet's partner, plus half of my traveling contingent this trip. Azev, indeed sadness is a huge part of it. Glad to have you. Ahavatcafe, yes, this post was written for a specific audience, although I wanted everyone else to understand me/us. Can you blame me? Thanks for the kind comments from everyone. “Fraternal” and “fraternity” have definitions that are not exclusive to men and certainly there is no peace movement without the women activists I know. Littlerose is precisely such a person, as is Last Trumpet’s partner, plus half of my traveling contingent this trip.

Azev, indeed sadness is a huge part of it. Glad to have you.

Ahavatcafe, yes, this post was written for a specific audience, although I wanted everyone else to understand me/us. Can you blame me?

]]> By: ahavatcafe http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/2010/07/10/the-fraternity/comment-page-1/#comment-10669 ahavatcafe Sun, 11 Jul 2010 05:07:57 +0000 http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/?p=1101#comment-10669 This is beautiful and passionate Ben, but I agree that the metahpor undercuts your message. Not only because of gender issues, but because it connotes "exclusivity" and contradicts your "join us" message. I only point this out because I think your overall message is important and I don't want it to get lost. This is beautiful and passionate Ben, but I agree that the metahpor undercuts your message. Not only because of gender issues, but because it connotes “exclusivity” and contradicts your “join us” message. I only point this out because I think your overall message is important and I don’t want it to get lost.

]]> By: Azev http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/2010/07/10/the-fraternity/comment-page-1/#comment-10668 Azev Sun, 11 Jul 2010 04:25:11 +0000 http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/?p=1101#comment-10668 Ben, I totally feel you on this. I am very grateful that you do what you do and I am honored to know such Jews of conscience such as yourself. It is very inspirational to read your thoughts on this blog. My only story with witnessing/experiencing the occupation does not conjure anger, but sadness. I remember when I decided to visit Bethlehem on my last trip to Israel back in Feb of '09. It was raining and hailing sideways, so it was very difficult to wander outside after the group of Palestinian men and me were done getting through the checkpoint (which was indoors). But the Israeli soldier insisted that we vacate the premises. One Palestinian man, I'd say in his 50's, and I decided to stay inside the checkpoint until the rain/hail died down a little bit. Well, the soldier, maybe about 21 years old or so, decided that this was unacceptable and started to yell at us to leave. Then he grabbed the Palestinian man by the arm and dragged him outside, leaving me to stay indoors. At first I didn't budge; after all a big part of me felt relieved that it was *him* being dragged outside and not *me*. But then my conscience kicked in. I started feeling embarrassed that such a young boy got to treat an older person this way. I felt ashamed that because of my Jewish-American-tourist status, I was given this privilege that I didn't ask for and possibly didn't deserve. So I followed after them. As I walked outside, I said to the soldier: "Aval ha geshem!" (but the rain!) He replied: "V' gam ani!" (but me as well!) And then he walked inside into the checkpoint. No anger, just shame. Maybe I'm getting soft as I age. Get home soon. Ben,

I totally feel you on this. I am very grateful that you do what you do and I am honored to know such Jews of conscience such as yourself. It is very inspirational to read your thoughts on this blog.

My only story with witnessing/experiencing the occupation does not conjure anger, but sadness.

I remember when I decided to visit Bethlehem on my last trip to Israel back in Feb of ’09. It was raining and hailing sideways, so it was very difficult to wander outside after the group of Palestinian men and me were done getting through the checkpoint (which was indoors). But the Israeli soldier insisted that we vacate the premises. One Palestinian man, I’d say in his 50′s, and I decided to stay inside the checkpoint until the rain/hail died down a little bit.

Well, the soldier, maybe about 21 years old or so, decided that this was unacceptable and started to yell at us to leave. Then he grabbed the Palestinian man by the arm and dragged him outside, leaving me to stay indoors. At first I didn’t budge; after all a big part of me felt relieved that it was *him* being dragged outside and not *me*. But then my conscience kicked in. I started feeling embarrassed that such a young boy got to treat an older person this way. I felt ashamed that because of my Jewish-American-tourist status, I was given this privilege that I didn’t ask for and possibly didn’t deserve. So I followed after them.

As I walked outside, I said to the soldier:
“Aval ha geshem!” (but the rain!)

He replied:
“V’ gam ani!” (but me as well!)

And then he walked inside into the checkpoint.

No anger, just shame.

Maybe I’m getting soft as I age.

Get home soon.

]]> By: circuitmom http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/2010/07/10/the-fraternity/comment-page-1/#comment-10666 circuitmom Sun, 11 Jul 2010 03:09:28 +0000 http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/?p=1101#comment-10666 I belong to a women's sorority but it was founded as a Women's Fraternity. The word is used to describe a group with a common bond. Please look beyond the use of one word in the writing and focus on the message which is very important. I belong to a women’s sorority but it was founded as a Women’s Fraternity. The word is used to describe a group with a common bond. Please look beyond the use of one word in the writing and focus on the message which is very important.

]]> By: ChristaB http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/2010/07/10/the-fraternity/comment-page-1/#comment-10664 ChristaB Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:36:54 +0000 http://www.judaismwithoutborders.org/?p=1101#comment-10664 I am the worst feminist in the world, and not even Jewish, but I think you're choice in metaphor is really lacking. Lacking specifically in that it is gender-exclusive. For women peacebuilders who constatly strive to become equal partners in this business, its kind of exasperating. I am the worst feminist in the world, and not even Jewish, but I think you’re choice in metaphor is really lacking. Lacking specifically in that it is gender-exclusive. For women peacebuilders who constatly strive to become equal partners in this business, its kind of exasperating.

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