Jews in solidarity with IDLE NO MORE

Additional signers:

Rebecca Tobias, United Religions Initiative; Vancouver, BC
Judy Goldschmidt, Black Creek, BC
Richard Marcuse, West Vancouver, BC
Michael Gabriel Rosen, Mas Movement, Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories
Sid Shniad, National Steering Ctee, Independent Jewish Voices - Canada
Marty and Martha Roth, Vancouver
Ada Glustein, Vancouver

Helen Mintz, Vancouver
Marion Pollack

Impressions: Enbridge pipeline hearing tonight in Vancouver

Approaching the huge, towering Wall Centre complex where the hearings are being held (at what huge, towering cost to us taxpayers?), I was first amazed at the dozen or more very well-protected police patrolling outside . . . and even more amazed at the dozen or so inside the lobby and then even more amazed at the police posted in the halls outside the hearing rooms.

Each of us speakers was allowed to bring exactly one other person who would be allowed to sit in a separate room and watch on a video monitor.  No one else was allowed in.  And, to speak, we had to sign up months and months ago . . .   The public viewing of the hearing was only through a video monitor located about a mile away in another enormously expensive glitzy hotel.

Second, in addition to the large security presence, I was amazed at the very many people employed to run the hearing.  It was all very tightly organized with several dozen people to sign us in, take an affidavit under oath, give us name tags, check our coats and bags, watch over us, keep us seated in the waiting room, watch over the people watching over us, escort us at the right time from the waiting room to the hearing room, watch the people escorting us, place an absolutely clean water glass on the table before us, record what we said, transcribe overnight the oral recording into a written record, escort us back out again, be sure we left and who knows what else . . .

All this is going on for hours and hours a day, day after day, as hundreds and hundreds of us come to give our testimony. 

If only half as much attention and resources were devoted to taking care of the environment and to needy people among us as to making sure that the hearings ran smoothly . . .  

After working at the First United Church’s homeless shelter and seeing staff laid off and desperately needed programs shut down because of government funding cuts and knowing about so many other human needs going unaddressed, I am shocked at how we allow so much money to be poured into the finery of running these hearing in one of the most expensive venues in Vancouver instead of a regular government office building’s hearing room or even a school auditorium or possibly even renting space at one of the many organizations which could use the income from the rental.  The priorities are all so crazy.  Who is this government serving?

The people speaking tonight were very, very impressive.  There were environmental scientists, biologists, journalists, folks who love the outdoors, teachers, professors, activists . . . and even a rabbi.

The speaker after me was Nicholas Read, one of my hero-journalists whose stuff I was grateful to read in the Vancouver Sun for years.  (He’s now teaching journalism and appearing in the Sun only in letters to the editor.)  Nicholas gave an impassioned and well-informed plea to stop the destruction the pipeline would inevitably bring.

The speaker after him was a very impressive biologist named Stan Proboszcz who was a researcher for Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans and quit because the environmental impact assessment process is so corrupt he couldn't stand being part of it.  He now works for an environmental NGO.  He gave an exceptionally well-documented testimony about how the entire process of environmental assessments done by contract for the companies wanting to do the development is skewed, flawed, prejudiced and corrupt.  You should hear or read his comments.  Just listening to him, I learned a lot and shifted my understanding, sadly, to be even more cynical about the entire process of corporations engaging the public around environmental issues.

I think the panel liked what I said – the midrash about God saying to Adam that ‘if you ruin it, there is no one after you to repair it’.  They smiled when I said it.  I briefly made points about the inevitability of catastrophic oil spills and the pollution and global warming impacts of the entire tar sands project.  I was very brief, just two or three minutes.  I’m sure they liked that too.

The two brilliant speakers after me, Nicholas and Stan, were only two of hundreds and hundreds of passionate, caring, knowledgeable people to address this panel in a hugely elaborate, well-designed public hearing process that is taking months and costing God-only-knows how many millions of taxpayer dollars.

And the result?

In the end, the panel will write a report and submit it to the Harper government whose base and home territory is the Alberta oil patch and who on many, many occasions has totally bulldozed right over public opinion to do whatever it wants to do.  Is the outcome anything but a foregone conclusion?

Is this effort futile?  No way!  I have very strong faith that this hugely destructive project is not going to go ahead in the end despite the hugely powerful forces behind it.
To quote Rebbe Nahman:  All of this world is a very narrow bridge and the main thing to recall is not to fear at all.

To read the transcripts of the hearings, see http://gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca/clf-nsi/prtcptngprcss/hrng-eng.html#s2.

David

Enbridge pipeline hearings tonight -- "no one to repair it after you"

I'm going in just a short while this evening to testify at the very formal, legal hearings on the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project in British Columbia.  Hundreds of others have testified, well over 1,000.  I am sure they've put into the record everything practical that I might think of.  I am going to add from a rabbi's point of view the following passage from ancient Jewish earth wisdom, written nearly 2,000 years ago, long before the industrial society, in a time when I can hardly imagine how people could imagine what we can do today to the earth: 

Adam and Eve were caretakers and their job was to protect the land, not to harm.  The Midrash (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13) makes this quite clear:  “When God created Adam, He took him and led him round all the trees of the Garden of Eden, and said to him, “See My works, how beautiful and praiseworthy they are!  Now all that I have created, I created for your benefit.  Be careful that you do not ruin and destroy My world; for if you destroy it there is no one to repair it after you.”

Israel, Palestine and the United Church of Canada -- Winds of Change?

ב"ה

On Monday evening, Jan 7, Rev. Dr. Bruce Gregersen, senior program officer of the United Church of Canada will discuss the UCC’s landmark decision concerning Israel and Palestine adopted last August after years of study and reflection and despite vociferous opposition from extremely well-funded and well-connected Canadian Jewish Israel defense organizations.*

The UCC is Canada’s largest Protestant denomination.  Among other points, the UCC called for the dismantling of Israeli settlements within the occupied territories, the end of all settlement construction, and the dismantling of the separation wall in all places where it crosses over the Green Line.   Most controversially, it directed that United Church members be encouraged to boycott settlement products and that an information campaign on this issue be developed.

The UCC’s decision aligns with recent decisions in nearly all mainstream national Protestant denominational bodies in the US.  Last year fifteen expressed concern openly and clearly about Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians and about Israeli policies and actions being obstacles to peace and justice.** 

Decades of church acquiescence to pressure from Jewish groups using accusations of anti-Semitism and liberal Christian guilt about the Holocaust may be coming to an end.  Despite enormously loud and public efforts, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and B’nai B’rith Canada proved unable to stop the UCC from adopting this change. 

I hope that this change in the churches’ relationship with Israel and Palestine will ultimately help bring about desperately needed moves toward peace and justice that Israelis have been unable to accomplish themselves.

I look forward to the discussion on Monday evening and encourage you to consider coming as well.  It will be an opportunity to learn from the inside about this significant move within the United Church of Canada and possibly to share reflections and perspectives with others who are present.  The Rev. Kathryn Ransdell,  Acting Lead Minister of St. Andrew's-Wesley, has specifically told me that everyone is welcomed to join in this discussion as well as another Israel-Palestine related program scheduled for next Sunday just after noon.  If you’re there Monday evening, I’ll be happy to talk with you afterward to share impressions.

Le-shalom,

David

*   http://www.united-church.ca/general-council/gc41/israel-palestine-report

     http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1242391--united-church-affirms-israeli-settlements-boycott

     http://www.united-church.ca/files/general-council/gc41/israel-palestine-faq.pdf

**   http://rabbibrant.com/2012/10/23/american-christians-dare-to-speak-their-conscience-on-israelpalestine/#more-12722

       http://rabbibrant.com/2012/10/31/rabbi-brian-walt-christian-leaders-cannot-be-cowed-into-silence/

       http://rabbibrant.com/2012/10/15/rabbinical-support-for-the-end-of-unconditional-military-aid-to-israel/

Some of my thinking re moving beyond the State of Israel

Friends, readers, I wrote this today in response to a long thoughtful post by a valued Reconstructionist rabbinic colleague on the internal discussion list of our rabbinic association which focused at length on the BDS movement prompted by the recent BDS conference at the University of Pennsylvania.  I want to share it with you as a way to share some of my thinking.  I invite your response.  I'd love to hear from you.  One way to share your response with others beside myself is to post it to my Facebook page.  -- David

Andrew, I appreciate your willingness to hang in here and keep discussing.  You probably have more willingness to do that than I do at this point.  I apologize for not responding more fully.  I do want to respond to one point you wrote: 

". . . the ultimate goal of BDS, a goal explained by Abunimah, Mermelstein and Shapira, is to dismantle the Jewish State of Israel and replace it with a new, “democratic”, pluralistic society – a society that is not a Jewish homeland.  This would be the death of Zionism and a horrific loss for the Jewish people."

I think you're right that their goal is to replace the JEWISH State of Israel with a more democratic, non-ethnic state.  However, that's not the goal of the BDS movement, which is all about ending the Israeli occupation and the suffering it causes.  More fundamentally, I think you make two major, important mistakes.  First, you are also wrong to equate a "state" with a "homeland".  Second, you are wrong in believing that would be the "death" of Zionism and a horrific loss for the Jewish people. 

The homeland of the Jewish people is that land, that place, that we call the Land of Israel, or (as it was widely known among Jews as well) Palestine or even the Land of Canaan.  That is our homeland regardless of which government rules it or what state is organized on it.  There are plenty of people with homelands which are not states.  There are states which are not congruent with anyone's particular homeland.  Homeland does not equal state.

Second, Zionism is not dependent on a Jewish state.  Zionism is about Jews living freely in the Land of Israel in a thriving Jewish culture.  It does not necessarily require the mechanisms of a state.  Until well into the Holocaust years, even the World Zionist Congress never had a majority of delegates supporting the establishment of a Jewish state as a goal.  (See "Biltmore Conference".)  A state became necessary because of historical circumstances.  It is not a sine qua non of Zionism.

I believe we all would be better off if we hold out as our goal getting past the ethnic state which has been and will continue to be the cause of so very much conflict and suffering -- as well as the distortion and debasement of Judaism.  I used to love the State of Israel and thought that it needed to exist.  I no long think that.  In fact, I want our shared vision and goal to be enabling Jews to live in the Jewish homeland in a way that enables everyone there to be fulfilled as equal citizens of whatever state is organized by those people there to meet their common needs, i.e. not a "Jewish" state.  I think there clearly was an historical need for a Jewish state in 1948.  Regretfully, that need continues into this present time.  However, as we envision a future and strive toward it, I think we need to set our vision higher than that.  "אם תרצו אין זו אגדה."  I also think that the more we Jews are clear about that, the more our Palestinian (and other) neighbours and partners in that land will be able to sincerely embrace that goal as well.

David Mivasair

Wednesday night Spirit Circle at First United Church, a large "homeless" shelter in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside -- come join us

Dear friends,

   Wednesday evenings at the First United Church – Vancouver’s largest “homeless” shelter -- have been lovely – sharing sacred space together, opening our hearts, raising our spirits, singing, talking, listening.  We’re planning to gather again this week.

   We’ll gather at 7 at the First United Church, 320 East Hastings, in the Downtown Eastside.  We’ll settle into seats in a circle in the dining hall near the totem pole.

   We’ll light a candle.  I’ll lead a simple wordless chant.  It’ll settle us down, bring us together and make a wide open space for Spirit to fill.  Rev. Sally McShane, the minister of First United, will offer a scriptural reading and some words of reflection and prayer.  And then, we plan to sing a very beautiful hymn familiar to many of us, Sally’s absolute favourite, to the melody of “Ode to Joy”.  (That says a lot about Sally.)

   After more singing, we’ll turn our attention to each other in a talking circle, sharing our own thinking and feeling about ourselves as the possible core of a newly living, vital congregation at First United.  This week’s question is going to be why some people say they are “spiritual” but not “religious” – and how we see ourselves in that regard.

   We’ll close with a song of blessing and farewell at 8:30 – and stay to informally mingle, talk, hang out and get to know each other a bit until about 9 when we need to free up the room for the folks who will be sleeping there.

   I hope this is helpful.  If you have questions, suggestions or comments, please feel free to call or write to me.

David

Rabbi David Mivasair, MSW
Chaplain, First United Church
(604) 681-8365
www.firstunited.ca
@RabFirstUnited 

Share info, ideas, inspiration:  First United’s e-mail group.
Now 36 people – staff, community members, all kinds of folks.
To join us, press CTRL and click on this here.
Questions?  Write rabbi-david@firstunited.ca.

Well-funded, staffed "Israel advocacy" org re-starting in Vancouver

Friends, after a blessed absence for the past year or two, the right-wing, money-dominated, doomed-to-fail Israel-firsters are starting up a new operation here in Vancouver.  

I’d love for us to join this organization’s (non-existent) membership and have some real discussion with the folks running it about what is truly good for the Jews.  

In reality, tho, this is a totally top-down, anti-democratic organization that arrogates to itself the posture of speaking for the “Jewish community”.  It will never allow any open discussion whatsoever.  In fact, its entire raison d’être is to counter free, open and honest discussion.  

I’d love to know the budget for the two professionals in the local operation and where that $$ is coming from.  But, they’ll never reveal that either.  Keep this in mind next time the Jewish Federation comes knocking asking for donations to support Jewish community needs

-- David

New Local Advocacy Council Forming
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver are pleased to announce several developments related to the formation of a new local advocacy council. This follows the national reorganization of Jewish communal advocacy organizations this past summer. These developments include the appointment of co-chairs for the new council, as well as the hiring of key staff.

A key part of the reorganization that led to the formation of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the development of local partnership structures – advocacy councils developed collaboratively between the national centre and local Jewish Federations. The Pacific Region council is now moving forward with the appointment of two local leaders, Paul Goldman and Stephen Schachter, as co-chairs, each of whom brings expertise in Israel and domestic advocacy.

The local council will act on behalf of both Jewish Federation and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs on all local and national advocacy issues, fulfilling a mandate to improve the quality of Jewish life in Canada and abroad, while strengthening the Canada-Israel relationship. The council will also ensure that local perspectives are reflected in the national decision making process.

Following a rigorous search process, Darren Mackoff has been hired as the new Pacific Region director. Born and raised in Vancouver, Darren brings with him a wealth of both academic and professional experience. A graduate of UBC, Ryerson and Tel Aviv University, Darren has spent more than three years in a senior communications role at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Prior to that, he worked for some of North America’s largest news broadcasters including NBC, FOX News and Global TV.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs will also be filling an additional professional position for a manager of community relations and outreach. For more information, click here.

From: Mark Gurvis [mailto:info@jewishvancouver.com]
Sent: January-20-12 2:30 PM
Subject: From the Desk of Mark Gurvis - January 20, 2012

Shabbat Candlelighting 4:31 p.m.                                             Friday, January 20, 2011/25 Tivet 5772

New Local Advocacy Council Forming The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver are pleased to announce several developments related to the formation of a new local advocacy council. This follows the national reorganization of Jewish communal advocacy organizations this past summer. These developments include the appointment of co-chairs for the new council, as well as the hiring of key staff. A key part of the reorganization that led to the formation of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the development of local partnership structures – advocacy councils developed collaboratively between the national centre and local Jewish Federations. The Pacific Region council is now moving forward with the appointment of two local leaders, Paul Goldman and Stephen Schachter, as co-chairs, each of whom brings expertise in Israel and domestic advocacy. The local council will act on behalf of both Jewish Federation and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs on all local and national advocacy issues, fulfilling a mandate to improve the quality of Jewish life in Canada and abroad, while strengthening the Canada-Israel relationship. The council will also ensure that local perspectives are reflected in the national decision making process. Following a rigorous search process, Darren Mackoff has been hired as the new Pacific Region director. Born and raised in Vancouver, Darren brings with him a wealth of both academic and professional experience. A graduate of UBC, Ryerson and Tel Aviv University, Darren has spent more than three years in a senior communications role at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Prior to that, he worked for some of North America’s largest news broadcasters including NBC, FOX News and Global TV. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs will also be filling an additional professional position for a manager of community relations and outreach. For more information, click here.

This is an official email sent to you from the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. Federation respects and upholds an individual’s right to privacy and to protection of his or her personal information. We use personal data for providing up-to-date information on our objectives, services, to process donations.