Palestinian and Jewish Safety
It's our human obligation to pursue justice and preserve the lives and dignity of all people. "Whoever destroys a single life is considered to have destroyed the whole world, and whoever saves a single life is considered to have saved the whole world." This is a Jewish and Islamic principle, appearing in both the Mishnah and the Quran.
At the start of the Jewish new year, I want to share a message of solidarity and hope. To my Muslim, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Iranian siblings, I see you and I stand with you. The escalation of violence in the Middle East shows that extremism, human rights violations, and bigotry are not the answer.
As an American Jew with family in Israel, I advocate for the security and equality of all human beings in the region. The atrocities of the past year have been heart wrenching. And yet, I have also been deeply inspired by the people of all ethnicities, faiths, and nationalities who have protested against the war and demanded the safe return of the remaining hostages.
I believe that building peace is practical, because there's no ultimate security for any of our loved ones unless the cycle of violence is broken. As I’ve been saying for the past year, the belief that Jewish safety must come at the expense of the people of Palestine is a falsehood I reject. Furthermore, I refuse to weaponize Jewish suffering to deny or deflect from the suffering, oppression, and dispossession of Palestinians.
No one needs to have all the answers to the complex web of geopolitical conflicts in the region in order to speak out. The path to a lasting peace begins with truth-telling, so why not start there? If we hope to heal the world and mobilize others in the service of collective liberation, it’s essential to tell the truth about collective harm (past and present) and its consequences for our communities, nations, and world. Together we can end the State of Israel's cruel system of oppression against the Palestinian people.
My work starts with a recognition of common humanity and human dignity. All lives are sacred. Human rights shouldn't be the privilege of people of certain nationalities, ethnicities, or people who live in certain places. I support a ceasefire and hostage deal out of deep concern for the lives of all innocent people in region, including the 97 Israeli hostages still in Gaza.
I will be taking time off for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to work on cultivating a spirit of peace, compassion, and justice in myself so that I may manifest it in the world.
May the new year bring safety, equality, and freedom to all.
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How can I help you create a healthier, more inclusive culture? My signature speaking topics include navigating courageous conversations, addressing antisemitism from an antiracist perspective, cultivating trust & connection across difference, and how to create psychological safety during difficult times.
ID: Photo of quote from the Talmud: "Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."
