This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

What's happening right now with Israel and Palestine

As an American Jew, free to live, practice whatever religion I wish, marry whomever I wish, be friends with whomever I wish, go wherever I wish, not worry about being bombed on a bus, kidnapped, honor killed, (usually) hated for who I am or what I believe, raise my children to be free thinkers, live in a diverse community, and the list could go on and on (and of course there are a few exceptions where yes there may be a few fanaticals that may do unsavory things). I am so thankful for my opportunity and choice to live in a country where I am allowed to do such things, however, I do not feel that most of us teach or appreciate that and pass that on to others and out children. As a member of a synagogue I am not happy with receiving email that encourages me to come to pray and stand together with Israel. Yes, I know that America is an ally and I know that we, as a majority, support Israel and that is all fine and good, but I am not in the government, nor do I want or plan to be. I also feel and believe deeply that our news and and what we hear and see is greatly controlled by the media which is also controlled by the government, but most choose to believe it as gospel and go with it. 
All this being said I ask of all places of worship and of the community to instead of continuing this war on our free soil and separating ourselves who are fortunate enough to not physically be there (even though some of us might have loved ones physically there) to instead band together and instead of praying for our *fill in the blank* brothers and sisters, how about we pray for all of those affected? How about we come together as Jews, Palestinians, Muslims, etc (because we are all brothers and sisters in G-d) and band together and try to make a difference here in America and stop this century old teaching of hate and war and make an example to other countries that we can coexist with love and tolerance and in fact not forget 911 and how we all felt closer and tried to understand and be more loving to one another?
So again, I ask, please temple and spiritual leaders who are supposed to be men and women of G-d and leading us to love and not separation, yes, there have been some horrible things done but they have not been done by all of a group or class of people, just some and more than likely not, some that are zealot separatists and speak for few and those few teach hate and create hate and ugliness and want others to come back with the same. 
It does nothing but harden our hearts and hurt us and cause us to carry around burdens that do nothing to help ourselves or anyone else. 
Let us instead return love and tolerance and acceptance and prayer and support for all who are affected, yes, even those who are the horrible ones that we are allowed to be angry with. Wouldn't G-d want that? Wouldn't Jesus teach that? Wouldn't Buddha? Wouldn't all who have been martyrs (MLK Jr. For instance) encourage us to love and pray and come together? 
Could we all propose a day where we could celebrate or have a round table or get to know one another or cry or just shake hands? Please?
Thanks for your time. 
Peace 















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