My Thoughts on Mark Thomas’ Show at North West London Reforn Shul
What an unusual event! Who would have thought that in the middle of a mainstream Reform synagogue in North West London, one would find the superb and delightful comedian, Mark [...]
Mark Thomas – Extreme Rambling Benefit Gig. 7pm, Wednesday 16th November, London
Mark Thomas, one of Britain’s most outstanding comedians, will be performing a benefit show, “Extreme Rambling” – his performance about walking the Separation Barrier between Israel and the West Bank [...]
Post from Rabbi Miriam Berger
As I sat on the coach driving through the West Bank the strong messages of my Jewish Day School education started to crumble before my eyes. I was being briefed about the danger of the project that lay ahead. Not as I had imagined because I was going to be under threat from Palestinians in the area but because Jewish Settlers in the West Bank were trying to stop us doing what I know was morally correct. It was Tu B’Shevat the Jewish New Year of the trees and I was going to plant olive trees. Olive trees as a traditional symbol of peace, olive trees in this instance as a livelihood for a group of people who over night had had theirs taken away. Jewish settlers, as a response to the Israeli Government’s plans to dismantle Jewish outposts in the area, had retaliated against their Palestinian neighbours and burnt down their olive groves. I know, whatever Zionist ideals I hold close to my heart, that those Palestinians have a right to a livelihood and I was determined to show that not all Jews want to take a political stalemate and make it a personal war.
Written by Rabbi Miriam Berger, Principal Rabbi Finchley Reform Synagogue, February 2011
2009 Trip to Israel & the West Bank
At the end of March 2009 a group of 18 rabbis and laypeople members of BFRHR spent an intense week in Israel and the West Bank. The members of this group were keen to see the work of RHR and to understand better the human rights issues in Israel and the West Bank. We realise that this is a highly emotive issue in the UK, particularly amongst Jews and we believe that we are better able to make the case for the work and concerns of Rabbis for Human Rights with first hand experience.
After much thought of how best to blog the huge amount of information from a trip that has already happened, it was decided that first of all we would write about the places we visited, the people we met and what they told us. There was so much information that much of these posts will be in note form. Then we hope to add further posts about our individual thoughts, opinions and reactions to our experiences from this intense week.
L-R Rabbi Danny Rich of BFRHR, our guide, Rabbi Arik Ascherman Director RHR
Rabbi Arik Ascherman – An Introduction to Rabbis for Human Rights
Our first engagement in Israel was an introduction to Rabbis for Human Rights and their work by RHR Executive Director Rabbi Arik Ascherman. Main points from the introduction:
- “Up to now BFRHR has been a wonderful, committed group of individuals but this truly moves it a step forward.”
- Regarding Israel celebrating its 60th year-“It is a celebration for us but not for everybody.
- Ben-Gurion called for “total social and political equality to all.” – We had this dream 60 years ago – where have we succeeded and where have we not yet succeeded? Unfortunately when we look at out society we see that it is not yet what we dreamed of; it is not living up to our expectations. Our first goal is to stop the human rights violations.
- The greatest mahloket (debate) is not between orthodox and liberal, secular or religious but between those who understand bein adam l’chavero (civil law) in a universal sense and those who take Judaism in a nationalistic, particularistic sense.
- RHR started during the first intifada when there was much more sympathy for Palestinians; many Israelis felt that red lines had been crossed. Many Rabbis felt that they needed a rabbinic response. Rabbi David Forman questioned why the rabbinate in Israel was not questioning ethics – where are the Heschels of our day? Heschel is the role model of rabbi & scholar & activist. Today 100 (or so) Rabbis & Rabbinic students are involved – it is the only rabbinic institution committed solely to human rights. On principle RHR is always involved with at least one issue of Jewish Israelis and one with non-Jewish Israelis.
- The pillars of RHR’s work are education, economic justice for Israelis, and Palestinian human rights. There is also a new focus on Sudanese refugees.
Welcome to British Friends of Rabbis for Human Rights’ Blog
British Friends of RHR as an organisation is in the process of applying for charitable status and increasing our capacity and activities. We will also keep you up to date with selected news from RHR Israel.