Jews speaking to Jews

One of the things I have come to love in Canada is the value of restraint; Canadians interact with each other with a respect and politeness that I, from a more rambunctious part of the world, find refreshing.  Nonetheless, I must say that this great Canadian value seems to make it more difficult for some Jews to speak openly and directly about the issues with which we struggle (and about which we disagree passionately).  I spoke during the Yom Tovim about our need to communicate honestly and fully with each other, but I know that this is more elusive than not.  So today I want to present a wonderful model of the kind of dialogue I believe we need to be having.  Jeffrey Goldberg and Shmuel Rosner, both well respected journalists, allow us a window into their conversation about American Jews, Israeli Jews and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.    Read it here: Prisoners: A Muslim and a Jew Across the Middle East Divide (the link takes you to only to the first entry: be sure to click through all the entries listed at the top of the page). 

New Yorker writer Jeffrey Goldberg is, by the way, an American Jew who made aliyah and served in the IDF, before returning to the United States.  I wasn’t aware of his background when I read his pieces in the New Yorker, but it makes intuitive sense;  he always seems to exhibit an empathy that goes beyond journalistic talent.  Here is an article he wrote in 2004 on the settler community on the West Bank (Among The Settlers) that furnished painful insight.  It is a must read.   It came as no surprise to me when I discovered that this article was used by the Jewish Agency as a Israel teaching resource (see here for more.)

I will, I am quite sure, write more in future posts about Shmuel Rosner.   Suffice it to say that this Israeli Haaretz journalist is someone always worth reading.

Comments

[Victoria Glencroft]

Reading these entries has left me with a hope that maybe things will be ok. That we are going through a very painful growing period. That HaShem sees the beautiful connections and friendships that are forged even during some of the darkest periods. What a gift to receive. I hope we all hold onto these treasures. As for Jews speaking to Jews, I truly hope we can place our fears on hold and open our hearts to another's experiences, trials and tribulations. That we can listen without judgement. Share without anger; and maybe even grow, together. Some of the most troubling moments I have experienced have been those that involve our community. My pledge to HaShem and myself is to keep searching for an answer I'm not sure exists. But the journey of sharing and searching is one of growth and inner contemplation.