October 2008 Blog Posts (30)

Babel

The biblical story of the Tower of Babel is fascinating to me, in part because I sense that the story is replaying itself as we speak. Here are several passages from chapter 11 of the Book of Genesis:

The whole earth was of one language and of common purpose…

…They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them in fire…”

…And they said, “Come, let us build us a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be… Continue

Added by Nissim Dahan on October 30, 2008 at 11:36pm — No Comments

Two creative responses to violent conflict – a drama and a novel

Two teenagers die.

Two families suffer.

What happens when two mothers refuse to be enemies?

Hear these messages of hope from two Jewish writers.

Dove by Sheila Yeger, professional playwright with more than 30 productions to her credit. You can listen to Dove by going to http://listeningindialogue.wordpress.com/dove-by-sheila-yeger/

Checkpoint by Lisa Saffron, facilitator of compassionate listening dialogue groups. More about the novel at… Continue

Added by Lisa Saffron on October 30, 2008 at 4:17pm — No Comments

Officials Counter Ahmadinejad Health Rumors

I find this kind of by c hance that there is an article about Ahmenidijad and his health due to exhaustion.

Last night, before I went to bed, I was thinking how stressful it must be to be a president of ANY country.

I felt kind of bad for them, since they always need to be up early, and they don't get to go to bed until late. I don't realize how lucky I am, since I can (on some mornings) sleep late, and (for now) I can take things easy.

Here is the… Continue

Added by Stephanie Chase on October 27, 2008 at 8:25pm — No Comments

Online Peace Ongoing

This blog first appeared on October 26, 2008, www.pij.org

Online Peace Ongoing

by Heidi Basch

War and peace are two popular media topics in the Middle East. When will war break out and who’s working on a temporary peace to prevent war, which most people believe is inevitable anyhow?

Mainstream journalists, politicians and pundits portray the peace process in the region as one that goes around in circles, featuring… Continue

Added by Heidi Basch on October 26, 2008 at 3:00pm — No Comments

Aikido Without Borders

Historical first – Aikido demonstration and children’s class in Bethlehem.

On Sunday, Oct. 19th, 2008, “Aikido Without Borders” conducted a historical first aikido demonstration and children’s class in Bethlehem.

A.W.B. is a fledgling N.G.O. primarily working in Israel/ Palestine that is dedicated to bringing the practice of aikido to troubeled areas where borders, both real and imagined,… Continue

Added by Miles Kessler on October 23, 2008 at 1:00pm — 4 Comments

The iPeace vision

What can better describe iPeace than:

iPeace presentation to Google's Project 10 to the 100th

an idea to change the world by helping as many people as possible

Submitted on Oct 19th. Voting will start on January 27th 2009.

What one sentence best describes your idea?

Like carbon atoms connected… Continue

Added by David Califa on October 22, 2008 at 4:30pm — No Comments

THIS IS KRYSHTALLNACHT. WAKE UP, ZIONISTS!

October 2008 in Akka (Acre)

Course of Events

Updated 14 October 2008

"Co-existence is a catch-phrase. After all, Akka is a

city such as Ra'anana, Kfar Saba and Haifa, that must

maintain its Jewish identity. I don't think there is a

dispute. Akka is the Galilee capital, thousands of

years of Jewish history. We are here in order to

preserve the Jewish identity, fortify its spirit and to

withstand this national challenge."

Rabbi Yossi Stern, head… Continue

Added by Hannah MeenErhabi Nesbit on October 18, 2008 at 10:04pm — 3 Comments

my words 4 ipeace being a part of self growth for every one in ther world communites

being a part of growth in ipeace what can all of us share in of this community" what is our goals and our hopes for the world. Every where we see problems we see the causes of which makes war.

what is the most we all can do. We have all the various things that contribute to war and what can we do for making peace. "Cause all of us suffers from the ills of today socialites that brings us the social problems.

what can we do to help people in our communities and what is the needs… Continue

Added by Peace_maker on October 17, 2008 at 7:31pm — No Comments

The New Jewish Terrorism

By Sadie Goldman with IPF Staff

One of the settlers pulled out a knife, pressed it to the neck of the company commander and said: ‘well, what will you do now, Nazi?’”

Attacks on Israeli soldiers and Palestinian civilians by West Bank settlers, like this one described by an Israeli reservist after the evacuation last month of the West Bank outpost Yad Yair, have nearly doubled in 2008 from 291 incidents in 2007 to 222 in the first half of 2008, according to a recent UN… Continue

Added by Stephanie Chase on October 17, 2008 at 9:19am — 2 Comments

Islam: A Religion of Peace?

I attended a debate recently. The issue: Is Islam a Religion of Peace, and is Shariah, or Islamic law, consistent with the U.S. Constitution? Arguing in the affirmative was Suhail, whom I would consider a moderate Muslim. Arguing in the negative was Frank, an American who considers Islam to be a threat to Western civilization. The following is an abridged version of the actual debate. See what you think.

Suhail: The U.S. Constitution protects us all from discrimination on the… Continue

Added by Nissim Dahan on October 17, 2008 at 3:27am — 4 Comments

In DNA, New Clues to Jewish Roots -- By Nicholas WADE (NYT -- May 14, 2002)

In DNA, New Clues to Jewish Roots

By Nicholas WADE (New York Times -- May 14, 2002)

http://www.humanitas-international.org/perezites/news/jewish-dna-nytimes.htm

A new thread is being woven into the complex tapestry of Jewish history, a thread fashioned from a double twist of DNA.

The DNA data suggest a particular version of Jewish history and origins that… Continue

Added by Paul RETI on October 16, 2008 at 3:24pm — 1 Comment

if you are for a better world, you must tell everyone with urgency in your voice-- "I am for a better world!" if you are for a better world then you must behave in a manner that says, "I am for a bet…

if you are for a

better world, you must

tell everyone with urgency in your voice--

"I am for a better world!"

if you are for a

better world then you must behave

in a manner that says, "I am for a better world but

being so does not make me better than anyone,"

it merely makes me more aware of our

common denominators--

if you are for a better world

then you must act, with urgency, in a way… Continue

Added by Emm Dee B. on October 16, 2008 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Lebanon + Syria finally have diplomatic relations

Hey!

So I Just read a BBC article about how Syria + Lebnon are finally comming to a truce, and will be establishing diplomatic relations for the first time in history.

This to me sounds great, and it makes me happy to know that there will be more peace and stability in the Middle East. So I wanted to wish all warm wishes and a great future to all of the Lebanese + Syrians out there! :)

Here is the link to the… Continue

Added by Stephanie Chase on October 15, 2008 at 10:57pm — 1 Comment

If not acting and moving these days then when?

I have been in Akko (the name I prefer and not acre) the last few days after the clashes began, in order to try helping in any field and ways possible to prevent more damage and deterioration in the Arab-jewish relationship. Also I called every one I know from akko to ask about the real situation which not always described accurately by the media.

And in order to offer any help. I was asked by many organizations to distribute their call for action to all my colleagues and e-mail… Continue

Added by amal abu zaidan on October 15, 2008 at 7:00pm — 6 Comments

The 'Secret Jews' of San Luis Valley -- By Jeff Wheelwright (Smithsonian magazine -- October 2008)

[Highlight: "In Colorado, the gene linked to a virulent form of breast cancer found mainly in Jewish women is discovered in Hispanic Catholics"]

==================================

The 'Secret Jews' of San Luis Valley

By Jeff Wheelwright, Smithsonian magazine, October 2008

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/san-luis-valley.html

One September day in… Continue

Added by Paul RETI on October 15, 2008 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Genetics of the Jews -- By Nicholas WADE (October 5, 2008)

Genetics of the Jews

By Nicholas WADE

October 5, 2008

http://www.israpundit.com/2008/?p=3541

With a new technique based on the male or Y chromosome, biologists have traced the diaspora of Jewish populations from the dispersals that began in 586 B.C. to the modern communities of Europe and the Middle East.

The analysis provides genetic witness that these communities have, to a remarkable extent, retained their biological identity separate from… Continue

Added by Paul RETI on October 15, 2008 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

Israeli hospital hosts cancer-stricken Iranian boy -- By Aron HELLER (AP -- Oct 10, 2008)

Israeli hospital hosts cancer-stricken Iranian boy

By Aron HELLER,

Associated Press Writer

Oct 10, 2008

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081010/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_iranian_boy_1

The head of an Israeli hospital where an Iranian boy is being treated for a brain tumor said Friday he hoped the gesture will help improve understanding between the bitterly divided… Continue

Added by Paul RETI on October 12, 2008 at 5:46pm — 10 Comments

fear & more

Whenever I hear an ambulance my heart goes down. Especially when I hear (or at least I think I hear – it may be echo sometimes) more that one ambulance. Immediately comes to my mind that there might have been a terror attack. Probably most of the times it’s an accident, or some other tragedy. Actually I think I have never heard an ambulance in its way to a terror attack scene, & still. Every time I hear a boom I think it’s a bomb. Or maybe a missile from the near by Kalkilia (I live in Kfar… Continue

Added by adi silberberg on October 11, 2008 at 8:01pm — 4 Comments

Reflections on the eve of Yom Kippur

On Yom Kippur eve, we are called to reflect on our year past, and look forward to being inscribed and signed for a year of peace and prosperity.
How have we done this past year? How have I done this past year? What is in store in the year ahead. These are the questions I invite us to ask.

Added by Eyal Raviv on October 8, 2008 at 5:03pm — 1 Comment

Atonement for Oslo -- by Michael FREUND (JPost -- Oct. 7, 2008)

Fundamentally Freund: Atonement for Oslo

by Michael FREUND

The Jerusalem Post

Oct. 7, 2008

http://www.jpost.com /servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017492138&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Tonight is the start of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when Jews traditionally seek to make amends for their misdeeds, whether committed against their… Continue

Added by Paul RETI on October 8, 2008 at 9:30am — No Comments