Celebrating “Israel” in Ann Arbor
As far as JWPF’s Social Calendar Committee (SCC) can determine, Ann Arbor’s Jewish community has no plans for a Celebrate “Israel” Day event in May, typically held at the JCC. See last year’s protest of that event here. Instead, however, they plan to bring in a professional “Israel'” singer named Noa (no ark) at an event to be held April 17 at the Michigan Theatre. Sixty five bucks gets you a reserved seat and an invite to “afterglow” with Noa following the performance.
Saying “Yes” to Politics at Synagogues
Also our SCC has noted that plans are underway to celebrate what Israel refers to as Yom Hazikaron, an annual holiday described as “Day of Remembrance for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism”. And where do they plan to host this political event? Yep, at a “house of worship”, aka Beth Israel Congregation. We note that our critics often claim that our political protests at Beth Israel are inappropriate, since politics and religious services shouldn’t share the same bima. But they do and have been used for just such political purposes for decades. What’s good for this goose is apparently not good for the gander. Here is a photo from BIC’s 2011 Yom Hazikaron ceremony. We let readers determine its religious content.
Beth Israel isn’t alone in this shell game where the “house of worship” card is played to in an attempt to trump the “political venue” ace. Others beside JWPF see this — our friends in Boulder, Colorado continue to hold non-violent protests at Bonai Shalom synagogue there, and our Chicago-based friends send us a politically-based photo from Beth Emet The Free Synagogue in Evanston.
It is clear to members of JWPF that our opponents are not, then, holding our political presence at Beth Israel as the reason they attempt to marginalize us. They are rejecting the messages we bring to the same arena as their political actions. They are opposed to having their sacred skeletons snatched out of the closet and shoved into the harsh light of day. Genocide is not a nice thing to support – especially in a “house of worship” – and they know it.
Comments?
Nine Vigilers
With “Friends” like “Israel”, Who needs enemies?
Henry Herskovitz
* – Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends
