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Created: March 23, 2002
Latest Update: March 23, 2002
E-Mail Icon jeannecurran@habermas.org
takata@uwp.edu

Tikkun Support for Peace

Copyright: Jeanne Curran and Susan R. Takata and Individaul Authors, February 2002.
"Fair use" encouraged.

Rabbi Michael Lerner's e-mail to Razia Meron says it all. Tikkun: A Jewish Critique of Politics, Culture & Society. is a Jewish magazine. The issue discussed is the refusal of young Israelis to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. The text for their Statement of Refusal is in this issue of Tikkun. Backup.

On Saturday, March 23, 2002, Razia Meron posted on the New Profile List:

To: New Profile
From: Razia Meron
Subject: [New Profile] Fw: Tikkun-Support of the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] Reservists who are refusing to serve Forwarded message:
From:
To: Razia Meron
Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2002 4:40 AM
Subject: TikkunMail Rabbi Michael Lerner

Thanks to the generosity of people in the Tikkun Community, we were able to print a full page advertisement in the New York Times today in support of the Israeli Defense Force Reservists who are refusing to serve on the West Bank and Gaza.

We also announced the day long Fast in support of our demands to End the Violence (on both sides--we oppose Palestinian terror), End the Occupation, and support the IDF reservists.

And we are asking everyone to raise these issues at their own Seder. If you know of a community Seder near you which is going to address these issues, please send us the info--because there are many people calling wanting to know how they can find a Seder in their location which might be open to having them attend and which will allow for a focus on peace and reconciliation with Palestinians as one part of the discussion.

Lets make this a truly liberatory Passover and, for our many Christian readers, members and friends--a renewing Easter.

Love and Blessings, Chag sameyach!
Rabbi Michael Lerner

P.S. The feedback has been amazing. There were so many wonderfully supportive calls to our office, people saying "thank you" for articulating a reasonable pro-peace position. People were particularly thankful that while unequivocally opposing the Occupation, we also pointed out that the mess in the Middle East is not caused by one side--that it has been co-created by the moral insensitivity and political errors of both sides, and that Palestinians with their acts of terror have contributed to the current situation. There were also the predictable string of at least 50 calls from people screaming hateful things to the core staff of Tikkun. It wasn't easy for some of us to take that, so it was great when the many positive calls came in. It would be great if you like the ad and are happy that we did it to call Deb Kory at 415-575-1200 and share some appreciation with her (even leaving such a message on the answering machine would be great, because actually we are in production of the May issue of the magazine now and somewhat overwhelmed, but I think she would appreciate some more positive calls. Cornel West reported being at a store today when a couple of people stopped him to thank him for the ad. And the more people hear positive feedback, the more they will be willing to act courageously. We are still collecting money so that we can print an ad about ending the Occupation, similar to this one, in other newspapers--so if you can send us a contribution, that would be great (to 2107 Van Ness Ave, SF, Ca. 94109) or by email with your credit card info to community@tikkun.org .