HBT Israel-Palestine Working Group

The HBT Israel-Palestine Working Group began meeting in March 2024 to respond to the heightened crisis in the Middle East. The violent October 7 attack by Hamas  on Israel that resulted in deaths, the taking of hostages, the displacement of remaining residents from the Gaza border, (and later in northern Israel) with enduring trauma.  Many of us have also been horrified by the unprecedented scale of retaliatory bombing of Gaza by Israel, resulting in mass displacement, deaths, famine and the wide scale destruction of Palestinian homes and institutions. With this crisis, we have seen division in our own country including protests in the streets and on college campuses. 

News from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and the region weighs heavily on our hearts and minds. HBT members have differing relationships with Israel, different  political orientations, and different ways of responding to the day to day news. The Working Group seeks opportunities for learning, dialogue and engagement where members can speak openly with each other, can listen to one another’s perspectives, and learn together. Our programs will try to balance the sacred Jewish values of Sukkat Shalom - creating a shelter of peace for inclusive worship in community regardless of differences with Kol Tzedek- raising our voices to pursue justice, equality, and freedom and to advocate for fairness and compassion for all communities.

For more information contact the Co-Chairs, Sherry Flashman sflashman@gmail.com or Keren Sammett, ksammett@comcast.net. Committee members: Lenny Markowitz, Rachel Schapp, Beth Reisen, Nechama Katz, Debra Kaufman and Jonathan Magaziner

ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES

April 6, 2024 Kick-Off Event. Spring Shabbaton: Challenges to Our Congregations at a Time of Protracted Violence with Guest Rabbi Maurice Harris, Reconstructing Judaism. Over 50 members attended sessions using Jewish teaching, responses within the Reconstructionist movement, and discussions of controversial and emotion-laden terms related to the crisis. 

New!  Israel-Palestine GoogleGroup created to enable interested members to share information including links to articles, zoom talks and event notices regarding critical issues arising from the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict that align with our Committee Purpose and Principles (see below*).  Please sign up at:  HBTisrael-palestine@googlegoups.com. GROUND RULES FOR THE LISTSERVE:

1. The listserve is for sharing informative articles, readings, and event notices.

2. The forum is not for dialogue or individual exchanges, which are strongly discouraged. 

3. For people posting events and/or articles please give a BRIEF (1-3 sentences) introduction about the topic, the author, source or event sponsor/s, including links.

4. Anyone in the googlegroup can post. There is no moderator.

5. If you have any concern with a particular posting, feel free to email Keren Sammett at k.sammett@comcast.net 

* Working Statement of Purpose and Principles

Purpose: To develop programming and other initiatives to continue education and discussion at HBT about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, aiming to:

  1. Offer  programing  that advances justice, equality, safety, and freedom for all Israeli citizens and  Palestinians in the West bank and in Gaza

  2. Deepen our understanding of Israeli /Jewish and Palestinian history,  from the perspectives of each people, and current realities in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza that are core to the crisis.

  3. Encourage open dialogue that embodies the principles of 'Sukkat Shalom' and 'Kol Tzedek', fostering a community committed to justice and peace.

  4. Incorporate the multiple perspectives of Israelis, Palestinians, Jews and others directly affected.

  5. Address the nature of rising anti-semitism and whether or when anti-zionism or criticism of Israel’s policies are anti-semitism.

  6. Examine tensions here in the U.S. over the conflict.

  7. Learn about political arrangements/ solutions for ending the violence and seeking peace and security for all Israelis and Palestinians.

  8. Foster an approach of being allies for peace

Principles: 

  1. Promote programs that advance justice, equality, safety, and freedom for all Israeli citizens and Palestinians.

  2. Support democratic values and fundamental human rights in the region, including efforts to end the Occupation.

  3. Foster respectful dialogue across different viewpoints and generations, ensuring a safe environment where members can raise concerns, be heard, and reduce acrimony  

  4. Seek both Israeli and Palestinian voices, including writers, scholars and activists

  5. Affirm our connection to Israel as a central aspect of Jewish identity and acknowledge its historical role as a safe haven for Jews worldwide. Reflect on how this foundational idea is challenging for many Jews today.

Reflecting on Our Summer Conversation: Personal Impacts of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The HBT Israel-Palestine Program Planning Committee is pleased to share the success of the recent Summer Conversation event, held on July 21, 2024. This event offered an open platform for discussing the personal and communal impacts of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with current news stories serving as a catalyst for deep conversations.

Event Highlights:

  • Engaging Discussions:The conversations among participants were well-facilitated and allowed for a guided yet open dialogue that encouraged participants to share sentiments on the presented topics.

  • Community Participation: We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who joined. Your insights and genuine openness were crucial to the event's success. We also recognize the entire HBT Israel-Palestine Program Planning Committee (IPPC) for the hours of meeting and organizing that enabled Sherry Flashman and Lenny Markowitz to conceive, plan and run this event. Committee members Keren Sammett, Beth Reisen and Jonathan Magaziner, helped make this a truly impactful program.

Looking Forward:

The Israel-Palestine Program Planning Committee will harvest these comments and discussion points to guide future programming. Our future programming will embrace this ongoing approach as we strive to ensure multiple perspectives In alignment with HBT's core community goals.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a meaningful experience at HBT. Your involvement illustrates how Sukkat Shalom (“Shelter of Peace”) and Kol Tzedek (“Voice of Justice”) can be balanced to enhance our community's resilience and understanding and for that we are grateful.