No doubt that the latest Hevel Hevalim is one of the all time bests. Wonderful reading.
Take a gander.
Monday, July 4, 2005
Sunday, July 3, 2005
Avi Bieber
I'm adding the link about Avi Bieber, who refused to attack fellow Jews, and now he is jailed. Here's the link; it includes an email address to send Avi messages.
Friday, July 1, 2005
The Making of a President
Yesterday I found myself watching some of President Bush II making some sort of major speech.
When I was a kid Ike was president. He was a big former general credited with the Ally victory in Europe during WWII. We also learned about Pres. Lincoln and Washington. It always seemed that to be the US President, you had to have earned it, done something really special.
I kept looking at Bush as he stumbled through his speech, written by a well-chosen pack of experts. Who's this guy in his second term of office? What did he do to deserve such high office? How is he qualified to be "leader of the free world?"
He's a rich kid with a powerful father, who helped drag him out of an extended adolescence and too many bottles of beer, or whatever his favorite drink was. If his father had controlled a chain of fastfood shops, he'd be in charge of the burgers in three states today. But his father's a rich oil man and former president, so the family business is in Washington DC, and Young Bush inherited the White House.
When I was a kid Ike was president. He was a big former general credited with the Ally victory in Europe during WWII. We also learned about Pres. Lincoln and Washington. It always seemed that to be the US President, you had to have earned it, done something really special.
I kept looking at Bush as he stumbled through his speech, written by a well-chosen pack of experts. Who's this guy in his second term of office? What did he do to deserve such high office? How is he qualified to be "leader of the free world?"
He's a rich kid with a powerful father, who helped drag him out of an extended adolescence and too many bottles of beer, or whatever his favorite drink was. If his father had controlled a chain of fastfood shops, he'd be in charge of the burgers in three states today. But his father's a rich oil man and former president, so the family business is in Washington DC, and Young Bush inherited the White House.
A Gentleman and "Following Orders"
I will be in the NY area the second half of July, G-d willing, and will be available to speak to groups and the media.
Musings #128
June 30, 2005
23rd of Sivan
A Gentleman and “Following Orders”
Two images are chasing around in my brain competing to see who will be the first on the page. It’s hard to decide, and I don’t want to delay one in favor of the other, so they will be combined. In actuality, they are related.
In the more than half a century since World War II ended, philosophers, politicians, religious leaders and educators have condemned the German rationale, excuse for murdering Jews and others during the Holocaust. The German people explained that they were “just following orders.” Being part of the post-war baby boom it was almost a mantra, a negative one for us. It was made very clear to us that we must develop strong consciences and never, ever do something immoral, no matter who was telling us. “Just following orders” was considered the lowest level a person could go.
This makes the present situation wherein Israeli soldiers and police are beating up Jews, dragging them from homes and demonstrations, as if they were dangerous criminals. The scenes on the TV of four five even six big burly police and soldiers, dressed in riot gear, grabbing a single teenager, both girls and boys, pushing mothers who are holding babies, as the victims all cry out in pain… You wouldn’t want to see, but everyone should, because no description, even from the most gifted writer can convey the sick brutality.
For months the press has been full of condemnation towards anyone who dares to refuse orders or encourage soldiers and police to refuse orders. We are told that the “state” is supreme, and if something is voted for in Parliament, then it is to be obeyed without question. That’s why good Germans killed Jews. They didn’t want to get into trouble; they didn’t want to lose their jobs. Just like Bibi Netanyahu’s reason for staying in the government. He’s just following orders unlike two young soldiers Avi Beiber and Chaim Attar who are in military prison for refusing to participate in the uprooting of Jews from Gush Katif.
And the gentleman I’m referring to was always a gentleman even kissing ladies’ hands, like in the old European royal courts. He’s the same gentleman who was civil to those who tried to murder him and his followers. He was always well-mannered to those who turned in fellow Jews to the British. He was also polite when after decades in the opposition he became Prime Minister and didn’t replace political appointees of the old rule with the new. Yes, I’m referring to Menachem Begin, a charming sensitive man who never deserved the description “terrorist.”
Today’s disgraceful action against fellow Jews is a continuation of the “sezon,” when the Hagana and the Jewish Agency turned Etzel and Lechi, aka, the Stern Gang fighters over to the British and the murderous attack on the Altalena, a ship that arrived in Israel soon after the declaration of the state. It was sent by the Etzel and loaded with arms and volunteers to liberate the Old City of Jerusalem. Instead of finding a way to work with Menachem Begin, who headed the Etzel, Ben Gurion decided to attack the ship. The result was many Jews were killed, the weapons sank with the ship, and Jerusalem was divided until the 1967 Six Days War.
As the newly established Jewish state and army concentrated on becoming a state “like any other,” the leader of the opposition, being a gentleman didn’t demand apologies and re-education. The history curriculum glossed over it, and there was no national “cheshbon nefesh,” introspection or “accounting of the soul.”
That is why today it is so easy for a segment of the Israeli population to attack fellow Jews. They got away with it decades ago and have no idea of the immorality. No matter what the outcome, we have a duty, what Menachem Begin should have done in the early years of the state. We must keep reminding our fellow Jews of the immorality of their actions. We must awaken their consciences until they do “tshuva,” repent and understand the seriousness of their sin.
Only after “tshuva” can we all unify into one strong people, G-d willing.
Shabbat Shalom U’Mivorach!
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Musings #128
June 30, 2005
23rd of Sivan
A Gentleman and “Following Orders”
Two images are chasing around in my brain competing to see who will be the first on the page. It’s hard to decide, and I don’t want to delay one in favor of the other, so they will be combined. In actuality, they are related.
In the more than half a century since World War II ended, philosophers, politicians, religious leaders and educators have condemned the German rationale, excuse for murdering Jews and others during the Holocaust. The German people explained that they were “just following orders.” Being part of the post-war baby boom it was almost a mantra, a negative one for us. It was made very clear to us that we must develop strong consciences and never, ever do something immoral, no matter who was telling us. “Just following orders” was considered the lowest level a person could go.
This makes the present situation wherein Israeli soldiers and police are beating up Jews, dragging them from homes and demonstrations, as if they were dangerous criminals. The scenes on the TV of four five even six big burly police and soldiers, dressed in riot gear, grabbing a single teenager, both girls and boys, pushing mothers who are holding babies, as the victims all cry out in pain… You wouldn’t want to see, but everyone should, because no description, even from the most gifted writer can convey the sick brutality.
For months the press has been full of condemnation towards anyone who dares to refuse orders or encourage soldiers and police to refuse orders. We are told that the “state” is supreme, and if something is voted for in Parliament, then it is to be obeyed without question. That’s why good Germans killed Jews. They didn’t want to get into trouble; they didn’t want to lose their jobs. Just like Bibi Netanyahu’s reason for staying in the government. He’s just following orders unlike two young soldiers Avi Beiber and Chaim Attar who are in military prison for refusing to participate in the uprooting of Jews from Gush Katif.
And the gentleman I’m referring to was always a gentleman even kissing ladies’ hands, like in the old European royal courts. He’s the same gentleman who was civil to those who tried to murder him and his followers. He was always well-mannered to those who turned in fellow Jews to the British. He was also polite when after decades in the opposition he became Prime Minister and didn’t replace political appointees of the old rule with the new. Yes, I’m referring to Menachem Begin, a charming sensitive man who never deserved the description “terrorist.”
Today’s disgraceful action against fellow Jews is a continuation of the “sezon,” when the Hagana and the Jewish Agency turned Etzel and Lechi, aka, the Stern Gang fighters over to the British and the murderous attack on the Altalena, a ship that arrived in Israel soon after the declaration of the state. It was sent by the Etzel and loaded with arms and volunteers to liberate the Old City of Jerusalem. Instead of finding a way to work with Menachem Begin, who headed the Etzel, Ben Gurion decided to attack the ship. The result was many Jews were killed, the weapons sank with the ship, and Jerusalem was divided until the 1967 Six Days War.
As the newly established Jewish state and army concentrated on becoming a state “like any other,” the leader of the opposition, being a gentleman didn’t demand apologies and re-education. The history curriculum glossed over it, and there was no national “cheshbon nefesh,” introspection or “accounting of the soul.”
That is why today it is so easy for a segment of the Israeli population to attack fellow Jews. They got away with it decades ago and have no idea of the immorality. No matter what the outcome, we have a duty, what Menachem Begin should have done in the early years of the state. We must keep reminding our fellow Jews of the immorality of their actions. We must awaken their consciences until they do “tshuva,” repent and understand the seriousness of their sin.
Only after “tshuva” can we all unify into one strong people, G-d willing.
Shabbat Shalom U’Mivorach!
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Thursday, June 30, 2005
blogging and freelancing
This will be cross-posted to me-ander.
On an email list the topic of freelance writing vs our blogging and getting our posts/articles into all sorts of publications, just for fun. Or just so people will know what we think, etc.
The note that follows is from a freelance writer.
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 08:25:17 EDT
Subject: Re: Second Job / Volunteering
From: friedmanj@aol.com
I just came back from a press association conference where a handful of
freelancers learned that we are an endangered species hovering on the
edge of extinction because editors no longer want to pay for our
stories--cause all those people out there want to write for free. (Many
of them just express their personal opinions and glory in the ink.)
Here's the reality: It essentially means that those people who are
writing for newspapers for free are stealing the food and rent money
away from the professionals who have been working hard to make a living
at it for at least 25 years. Now, instead of story assignments, we get
editors calling us in emergencies to fill their bar/bat/wedding
celebration section at $30-50 a pop. No one pays to sniff out
investigative stories (like the rabbi and child abuse story that was
squelched until an editor moved to town and heard about it).
Each year there are less and less column inches left for freelancers to
fill. And we are talking Jewish freelancers for Jewish media here. Not
the "real" world. No freelancer purely freelances anymore because it's
becoming impossible to eat, let alone pay for medical coverage, which is
$25,000 a year for two middle aged people.
And that fact doesn't make retirement likely for any of the Jewish
freelancers I know who write for Jewish papers--and are working twice as
hard to make the same amount of money they made five years ago.
So those of you who write for free--be aware, you could be ruining other
people's lives. Some of those people, and I met them, are over 70 years
old and without the income...well, you can guess the rest.
On an email list the topic of freelance writing vs our blogging and getting our posts/articles into all sorts of publications, just for fun. Or just so people will know what we think, etc.
The note that follows is from a freelance writer.
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 08:25:17 EDT
Subject: Re: Second Job / Volunteering
From: friedmanj@aol.com
I just came back from a press association conference where a handful of
freelancers learned that we are an endangered species hovering on the
edge of extinction because editors no longer want to pay for our
stories--cause all those people out there want to write for free. (Many
of them just express their personal opinions and glory in the ink.)
Here's the reality: It essentially means that those people who are
writing for newspapers for free are stealing the food and rent money
away from the professionals who have been working hard to make a living
at it for at least 25 years. Now, instead of story assignments, we get
editors calling us in emergencies to fill their bar/bat/wedding
celebration section at $30-50 a pop. No one pays to sniff out
investigative stories (like the rabbi and child abuse story that was
squelched until an editor moved to town and heard about it).
Each year there are less and less column inches left for freelancers to
fill. And we are talking Jewish freelancers for Jewish media here. Not
the "real" world. No freelancer purely freelances anymore because it's
becoming impossible to eat, let alone pay for medical coverage, which is
$25,000 a year for two middle aged people.
And that fact doesn't make retirement likely for any of the Jewish
freelancers I know who write for Jewish papers--and are working twice as
hard to make the same amount of money they made five years ago.
So those of you who write for free--be aware, you could be ruining other
people's lives. Some of those people, and I met them, are over 70 years
old and without the income...well, you can guess the rest.
WARNING!
At present, there "agents" working "underground" pretending to be patriotic, enthusiastic anti-Disengagement activists. Unfortunately, the truth is something else.
There are at least two groups of kids who were arrested simultaneiously for preparing "tacks" to blow tires. Activities like these are not part of the civil disobedience. Road blocking does not endanger anyone, and the legal situation is simpler.
Do yourself and everyone else a favor, and WARN YOUR KIDS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. I know that it's hard not to trust, but remind people that they can't protest when jailed in a "sting."
cross-posted in Shiloh Musings
There are at least two groups of kids who were arrested simultaneiously for preparing "tacks" to blow tires. Activities like these are not part of the civil disobedience. Road blocking does not endanger anyone, and the legal situation is simpler.
Do yourself and everyone else a favor, and WARN YOUR KIDS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS. I know that it's hard not to trust, but remind people that they can't protest when jailed in a "sting."
cross-posted in Shiloh Musings
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
a bissel naive
Maybe I'm just a bissel, that's "a little" in Yiddish, naive. Don't you think that crime and terrorism could be wiped out, or seriously reduced here in Israel if the police and army would put all the effort and manpower it's using against patriots, teens and pre-teens?
The country is in high alert, believe it or not, against kids who hold up signs, or orange bands, bracelets and banners. Horses, water cannons and brute strength are being used against young demonstrators.
Lots of special interest groups, like unions demanding more money for themselves. These kids are trying to save the country. Tonight the TV news told of twelve year olds arrested. Aren't those policemen embarrassed?
The country is in high alert, believe it or not, against kids who hold up signs, or orange bands, bracelets and banners. Horses, water cannons and brute strength are being used against young demonstrators.
Lots of special interest groups, like unions demanding more money for themselves. These kids are trying to save the country. Tonight the TV news told of twelve year olds arrested. Aren't those policemen embarrassed?
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Power and Influence
Musings #127
June 23-8, 2005
16th to 21st of Sivan
Power and Influence
When I was growing up, the feeling was that if you wanted to "change the world" have power and influence; you'd go into politics. President Kennedy's motivating speeches are quoted to this day.
Fortunately or unfortunately, things have changed. This week an enormous tragedy, a terror attack that challenges the imagination, was, thank the Good Lord, prevented. An Arab, one of the lucky ones from Gaza, a patient in the Israeli hospital, Soroka, prepared for her check-up by strapping explosives to her body. The same body that Israeli doctors had labored to heal was going to be used as a murder weapon to murder her doctors, nurses, and fellow patients and to destroy part of the hospital itself. The Soroka Hospital, in the Southern city of Beersheba, treats both Jewish and Arab patients, and its staff is also integrated. One of the Arab doctors who works there wrote a very moving article against such terror in the hospital he considers a home.
This horrendous, unthinkable for normal minds, plan was barely mentioned in the international press. Via the Internet, I'm in touch with concerned people of all religions, and we are all surprised and disappointed by the lack of press coverage. The media has no problems magnifying and saturating the airwaves with anything that may be considered a fault of Israel, but to expose the immoral Arab terror is considered so much less important.
Everyone remembers the little Arab boy photographed next to his father in the crossfire of Arab and Israeli bullets. Israel was roundly condemned all over the world press and diplomatic world for his death, though extensive ballistic tests proved beyond a doubt that Arabs killed him. If there was a "clarification" it was hidden in the back pages and certainly the TV and radio didn't publicize corrections.
My family has had a lot of experience with the international media as residents of Shiloh. Journalists call us with requests that sound like they're ordering from a Chinese restaurant. "Can you find us an American immigrant living in the Hebron area and a native Israeli near Tel Aviv?" When queried about the stereotypes, we've been told that the editor ordered a specific article, and the reporter has to find people "to fit the bill." Meaning that the true situation, like a "native Israeli" descended from Jewish residents murdered in the Hebron Massacre of 1929 and an American immigrant living near Tel Aviv wouldn't convey the message the editor desires. Truth is what the editors want it to be. Apparently this phenomena isn't exclusive to Israel.
Here in Israel we're constantly warned of the dangers of "the extreme right wing," and any Arab injured is described as "innocent of guilt," a phrase never used to describe Jewish victims of Arab terror. Yesterday's simple 15 minute Stop a Moment to Think Again Protest was heralded with warnings from the media that the demonstration was irresponsible and will certainly cause death.
Tens of thousands of vehicles and at least 200,000 pedestrians lined various roads throughout the country in one of the simplest and calmest demonstrations imaginable. I participated in Jerusalem standing near the Israeli Supreme Court with hundreds of others of all ages and backgrounds. Almost everyone wore something orange and some waved Israeli flags. Passing cars tapped out the "we support you" beep. And then after a short time, as planned, we all returned to our everyday lives.
Last but most important. The big mystery: why in the world did Arik Sharon declare the Disengagement policy? According to a recently published book, Boomerang, it was Ariel Sharon's attempt to escape punishment for corruption.
In addition more and more proof of media manipulation have been revealed. A decision was made by the Israeli media to "coddle and protect" Ariel Sharon in order to promote Disengagement. Instead of honestly reporting the news, the media campaigns for its favorite issues, trying to influence the trusting public and in some cases, even orchestrates events to suit its agenda.
The Arutz 7 station was closed down and is now only available via phone and internet. It was closed down in order to prevent the public from hearing the truth. Today, thank G-d, some of us at least have the option of the internet and blogs as an alternative news source.
So if you want to change the world, forget politics. True power is in front of the camera and tapping the keys. It's up to all of us to tell the truth and not to believe everything we see and hear.
Remember the old saying:
"Everything's true in the newspaper, except for the things you know about personally."
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
June 23-8, 2005
16th to 21st of Sivan
Power and Influence
When I was growing up, the feeling was that if you wanted to "change the world" have power and influence; you'd go into politics. President Kennedy's motivating speeches are quoted to this day.
Fortunately or unfortunately, things have changed. This week an enormous tragedy, a terror attack that challenges the imagination, was, thank the Good Lord, prevented. An Arab, one of the lucky ones from Gaza, a patient in the Israeli hospital, Soroka, prepared for her check-up by strapping explosives to her body. The same body that Israeli doctors had labored to heal was going to be used as a murder weapon to murder her doctors, nurses, and fellow patients and to destroy part of the hospital itself. The Soroka Hospital, in the Southern city of Beersheba, treats both Jewish and Arab patients, and its staff is also integrated. One of the Arab doctors who works there wrote a very moving article against such terror in the hospital he considers a home.
This horrendous, unthinkable for normal minds, plan was barely mentioned in the international press. Via the Internet, I'm in touch with concerned people of all religions, and we are all surprised and disappointed by the lack of press coverage. The media has no problems magnifying and saturating the airwaves with anything that may be considered a fault of Israel, but to expose the immoral Arab terror is considered so much less important.
Everyone remembers the little Arab boy photographed next to his father in the crossfire of Arab and Israeli bullets. Israel was roundly condemned all over the world press and diplomatic world for his death, though extensive ballistic tests proved beyond a doubt that Arabs killed him. If there was a "clarification" it was hidden in the back pages and certainly the TV and radio didn't publicize corrections.
My family has had a lot of experience with the international media as residents of Shiloh. Journalists call us with requests that sound like they're ordering from a Chinese restaurant. "Can you find us an American immigrant living in the Hebron area and a native Israeli near Tel Aviv?" When queried about the stereotypes, we've been told that the editor ordered a specific article, and the reporter has to find people "to fit the bill." Meaning that the true situation, like a "native Israeli" descended from Jewish residents murdered in the Hebron Massacre of 1929 and an American immigrant living near Tel Aviv wouldn't convey the message the editor desires. Truth is what the editors want it to be. Apparently this phenomena isn't exclusive to Israel.
Here in Israel we're constantly warned of the dangers of "the extreme right wing," and any Arab injured is described as "innocent of guilt," a phrase never used to describe Jewish victims of Arab terror. Yesterday's simple 15 minute Stop a Moment to Think Again Protest was heralded with warnings from the media that the demonstration was irresponsible and will certainly cause death.
Tens of thousands of vehicles and at least 200,000 pedestrians lined various roads throughout the country in one of the simplest and calmest demonstrations imaginable. I participated in Jerusalem standing near the Israeli Supreme Court with hundreds of others of all ages and backgrounds. Almost everyone wore something orange and some waved Israeli flags. Passing cars tapped out the "we support you" beep. And then after a short time, as planned, we all returned to our everyday lives.
Last but most important. The big mystery: why in the world did Arik Sharon declare the Disengagement policy? According to a recently published book, Boomerang, it was Ariel Sharon's attempt to escape punishment for corruption.
In addition more and more proof of media manipulation have been revealed. A decision was made by the Israeli media to "coddle and protect" Ariel Sharon in order to promote Disengagement. Instead of honestly reporting the news, the media campaigns for its favorite issues, trying to influence the trusting public and in some cases, even orchestrates events to suit its agenda.
The Arutz 7 station was closed down and is now only available via phone and internet. It was closed down in order to prevent the public from hearing the truth. Today, thank G-d, some of us at least have the option of the internet and blogs as an alternative news source.
So if you want to change the world, forget politics. True power is in front of the camera and tapping the keys. It's up to all of us to tell the truth and not to believe everything we see and hear.
Remember the old saying:
"Everything's true in the newspaper, except for the things you know about personally."
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
quick news round up
Yesterday's demonstration is considered a success. The spot I was in, near the Supreme Court, was calm, but the police attacked demonstrators in other places. I'm just curious. I searched for articles on the demonstration on the Jerusalem Post site and couldn't find any. If anyone can confirm this oversight, please let me know by commenting to this post or by email. thanks
The memorial ceremony for Israeli spy Eli Cohen turned into an anti-Disengagement demonstration to the embarrassment of Arik Sharon.
Soldier Avi Beiber's refusal to destroy homes in Gush Katif is getting more support.
The memorial ceremony for Israeli spy Eli Cohen turned into an anti-Disengagement demonstration to the embarrassment of Arik Sharon.
Soldier Avi Beiber's refusal to destroy homes in Gush Katif is getting more support.
Best of... #83
One of our all time favorites about a very special wedding, was included in the latest BOMS. Read all the wonderful posts from all over the world
right here
right here
Monday, June 27, 2005
orange, today
Orange is in the air and on the streets. You can't ignore it, though i'm sure some people keep their dark glasses on just to try.
I was at today's demo. Went to the Keneset, then walked looking for the demonstration. Finally near the Supreme Court. People of all ages and backgrounds.
I was at today's demo. Went to the Keneset, then walked looking for the demonstration. Finally near the Supreme Court. People of all ages and backgrounds.
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