This past August 5, the Movement for Black Lives published a 47,000 word platform that has hit a nerve in the American Jewish community. Most of the furor has focussed on a single hot-button word in the document: genocide. The rest of the attention has gone to a call for support of BDS, divestment from all things Israeli.
I have been quiet while I read and studied the document itself and read reactions from Jews whose opinions I respect.
Today Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR in Los Angeles published an article in the Jewish Journal that says what I’d like to say, only much better than I could ever say it. So instead of blathering here I will post a link to it for you.
Thank you for bringing attention to this article. It is such a complicated issue, but it is so important to remember that the conversation must continue and we must find the courage to honestly face all of it, not just that part that directly impacts our own interests.
My feeling exactly, Martha. Thank you for commenting!
What bothers me about Rabbi Brous’s piece is that it makes no acknowledgement of the fact that the Palestinian leadership has no interest in reaching a solution without complete capitulation by Israel.
That’s true, and it is the great problem of the situation. However it is also a piece I’ve which we have no control. Ideally she would have noted it.
Thank you for linking this article by Rabbi Sharon Brous. I will read more from her. “It is only by stepping purposefully into the conversation, stretching beyond our simplest and most contemptuous assumptions, and being willing to hear even what hurts that we will learn anything.” And “standing angrily on the sidelines, repeating condemnations, nursing our wounds and waiting for an apology will not change this script.” And, I really identify with feeling “angry, vulnerable and ungenerous”.
So much of what has been my too frequent response is captured in her words–the anger, contempt, condemnation and paralysis, waiting for an apology that will not come.
This stance removes grace, humility and love.
Thank you, and her, for these words and commitment to respond.