Rabbi Shawn's Trip to Israel and the West Bank
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As 2014 ended, Simcha and I traveled to Israel and the West Bank in what was a profound trip.
RABBI SHAWN AND RABBI SIMCHA
TRAVEL TO ISRAEL AND THE WEST BANK
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014
Thursday, November 27 at 11:44pm
The mosaic of Moses artistic paradox in the new Cinema 6 mall in Jerusalem
Nothing like a mural in an Israeli mall. Hovering over intense commercialism -- revelation. Juxtaposition of values one of the main features of life here. Headlines range from coverage of the aftermath of Ferguson and the controversial and inciting Jewish identity bill passed by the cabinet. Tel Aviv wins international competition as the "top smart city" in the world technologically. The sounds and colors and fragrances of the Jerusalem market wafting through me as we stroll together. The poverty and determination. Look down from Sinai and behold the continuum of it all.
Kabbalat shabbat overlooking the town of Rosh Pina and the Galilee http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosh_Pinna
Panorama from Nimrod's lookout as Shabbat comes to us. Lecha dodi ascends from the town below in harmony hope and longing at peace without peace in search of peace and home in soul. Shabbat shalom beloveds the hour is here.
Saturday, November 29
The waterfalls in the Banias in the Golan nature reserve. 2-hour hike followed by amazing falafel and Lebanese cheese in Druze village. http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Articles/Sites/Pages/Banias.aspx
Havdallah in Sfat after visiting Kabbalah artist David Friedman and wife Miriam celebrating Havdallah at the local Carlebach synagogue and walking the streets as the Rebbe Nachman mobile blasts dance music escorted by dozens of children through the streets bringing in the new week. http://www.kosmic-kabbalah.com/
Rabbi Shawn, Imam of Arab Muslim mosque in Shefa'aram, and Rodeph Shalom Eliyahu Maclean on peace visit in Shefara'am
http://www.peacelink.nu/ISRAEL/house_of_hope.html; http://www.eliyahumclean.com/
Beginning our fourth day in Israel with Eliyahu Maclean and the Imam of the mosque in Shefa'aram as part of an Arab-Jewish-Christian peace gathering visiting Druze Muslim Christian and Jewish holy sites next to each other in a community that has over 1500 years of cooperative living. The synagogue is now maintained by Muslim families as no Jews remain there having migrated to Haifa. Other Sheiks and Imams and the rabbi of Akko came with us as well addressing the commitment to peaceful coexistence especially poignant in light of the desecration of the Yad b’Yad school for Israeli Jewish and Arab children last night -- arson and hateful graffiti -- we stand in solidarity with each other now and in the face of any message to the contrary. Thank you Eliyahu for all you continue to do.
Facebook comment- “Thank you for providing some peaceful facts as opposed to the dreadful info provided by the media. May we all stand as one forever. We are all made of the same fabric and should work together to ensure our planet is kept alive and healthy for the generations to come.”
Rabbi Shawn and R. Simcha with Jewish and Arab Israeli students at Yad B’Yad in Jerusalem
Today we visited Yad b'Yad bilingual school for Israeli Jewish and Arab K-12 youth in Jerusalem. Two days before arson and hate messages had damaged one of the classrooms at the hands of extremist Jews. By this morning the entire community had gathered including other schools, politicians and even soccer stars in solidarity. We met with Noa, a school rep, and a group of 9th graders who expressed their love of their school and deepened commitment to the shared path they are on.The school is taking donations for repairs beyond what the municipality is providing for increased security. Spirits were high and the school system has a vision for five to ten more in the years ahead across Israel. We conveyed the message of hope and peace and sang Mattisyahu'a "one day" with them as sung by our own Mishkan Shalom zayin class as a message to Yad b'Yad. Hazak Hazak v'nithazek l'shalom/salaam/peace
The school is taking donations for repairs beyond what the municipality is providing for increased security. Spirits were high and the school system has a vision for five to ten more in the years ahead across Israel. We conveyed the message of hope and peace and sang Mattisyahu's One Day with them as sung by our own Mishkan Shalom zayin class as a message to Yad b'Yad. Hazak v'nithazek l'shalom/salaam/peace.
This is My Face Our message to all human beings...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fIEIoJTydpc&feature=youtu.be
Video interview with Yad B’Yad students
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152832590933926
Wednesday, December 3
The blessing of the morning -- two hours with Shaul and Ali Abu Awwad and Jerusalem leaders at Ali's emerging center for non-violence
Ali visited us at Mishkan Shalom in Philly last October for a visionary and inspiring evening. Their organization Roots is growing and attracting more interest of pro-solution in the path of non-violent human commitment and activism. They hope to return to the USA again this winter/spring. It is through their vision and the passion and support of others that I feel a real movement for change that ends the cycle of violence and actually organizes and transforms people's lives on the ground will grow. Bless you brothers for the commitment you have made with your lives!
Thursday, December 4
On the Mediterranean shore with Simcha and Noah, along with the long beach path that connects the Arab/Jewish sector of ancient Yaffo with the new vibrating city of Tel Aviv (voted the most hi-tech “smart city” in the world out of 250 cities in a recent international competition, health and exercise are woven into the park options along the walk. We arrived at the Yaffo shuk just as the sun set.
Joining with hundreds and hundreds of Israeli Jewish, Arab Christian Muslim and Palestinian grandparents, parents and children of all ages with many supporters of the bilingual Yad b'Yad school in Jerusalem.
This passionate outpouring of solidarity with chants of "Jews and Arabs live together without fear" filling the air. Blessed to be here to witness and support in our last couple of days. Spending Shabbat at a new liberal minyan here led by a dynamic female rabbi Tamar who co-presented with a Palestinian speaker at the same school today. As Shimon Peres said today: “We cannot expect peace to come to us even though we love to sing od yavo shalom aleynu; we must pursue peace, be ourselves -- as Reb Zalman encouraged -- Rodphei Shalom!
Rabbi Shawn with Rabbi Amita Jarmon at Yad B’Yad Solidarity march with Israeli Jewish and Arab students, parents and allies for Yad b’Yad
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152841258738926&l=8744300373216249162
Singing Mattisyahu’s One Day at Mike's open mic:
Noah, Simcha and Shawn Mon., Dec. 1:
Mattisyahu’s One Day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmBChQjZPs
Mattisyahu: One Day (chorus)
Sometimes in my tears I drown (I drown)
But I never let it get me down (get me down)
So when negativity surrounds (surrounds)
I know some day it'll all turn around because...
All my life I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
For the people to say
That we don't wanna fight no more
There will be no more wars
And our children will play
One day
Last night in Yerushalayim joining with Rabbi Yonatan Neril the founding director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development in Jerusalem
In tandem with the international gathering for climate change. If we do not work for sustainable living and consciousness along with peaceful coexistence we will not have shalom and shlemut (wholeness) and sacred living. The ramparts of this ancient city are now the place to issue this call across faith political and social lines.
In a few hours we return to the USA where fires are also burning and "die-ins" are being held in the streets. Yet with all the challenges we leave with hope and commitment for loving, connection and the capacity of the human spirit to act beyond the limitations of the past and present for a future we can share with all life on this precious planet. Ma'aseh yadeynu koneneynu: May the work of our hands and hearts be strengthened for good.
s. In a few hours we return to the USA where fires are also burning and "die-ins" are being held in the streets. Yet with all the challenges we leave with re weed hope and commitment for loving, Connection and the capacity of the human spirit to act beyond the limitations of the past and present for a future we can share with all life on this precious planet. Ma'aseh yadeynu koneneynu may the work of our hands and hearts be strengthened for good.
Last night in Yerushalayim. In Your light we see light and at times this light shines clearer at night -- illumination from above and below and I pray within us all towards a just and sustainable world. The light of day will reveal its own truths but this night the quiet of night and the echoes of the centuries these walls have born witness to the longing, living and suffering of those who have stood here echoes in my soul.
Last hour in Israel at the Western Wall
The moon arising over the wall from East of Jerusalem. As I lay my hand on the stones with the Jewish evening prayers swirling around me, delivering the prayers of Mishkan members, I went silent after this and experienced the words, “I am here, and will be as I have been. The question is whether you will do what is needed to become the change you seek. I am and will remain Evven Tamid (Eternal Stone). What will you do?” When I opened my eyes in the silence I felt the call to lift my head towards the top of the wall scanning the stones. I saw mid-way up a white dove nestled in the crevice just below a growing small green bush protruding from the wall. It is the last image engrained in my soul before we left the Old City and headed to Ben Gurion Airport on our way home.
Facebook comment: Despite the tragedies and violence at home and abroad, the sun still rises and night still falls every day...reminding us that we should have faith and hope.