Pollack's organization is “a diverse and democratic community of activists inspired by Jewish tradition to work together for peace, social justice, and human rights. They support the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for security and self-determination.” The organization opposes anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim, and anti-Arab bigotry and oppression.” They “seek an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
Lynn shared her experiences growing up in Chicago in a non-religious home, and marrying her husband who came from a religious Jewish family whose parents are both Auschwitz survivors. Once she married, her life became Jewish-centered. She and her family are committed to the lesson from the Holocaust of “Never again . . . for anyone!”
Lynn has taken five trips to Israel/Palestine in the last 10 years. At the end of 2013, she traveled to the West Bank with her Rabbi and some friends. They stayed in Bi’lin in Palestine at the home of the filmmaker’s brother, Iyad Burnat. Iyad’s brother made the film “5 Broken Cameras” about Bi’lin’s campaign of weekly non-violent resistance against the wall Israel built between Bi’lin and their olive groves. .The movie depicts Israeli soldiers throwing tear gas, skunk water cannons, and coated bullets toward Bi’lin and its residents each week.
During Lynn’s visit, she saw olive groves that are no longer accessible to villagers, and an Israeli settlement that looms over the village. She and her group also saw empty tear gas canisters that were planted with flowers in a garden nearby. The bottom of the canister was marked “Made in Pennsylvania." Israelis are peppering the village with tear gas, shooting out windows of a school, shattering windows of homes, and unleashing an eight-hour reign of terror while they were chasing a man wanted in connection with a bombing who was not a Bi’lin resident.
New settlement housing for Israeli Jews only is continually being built. Children are at risk in Palestine. Military Court Watch (a human rights organization) has reported Palestinian children as young as 12 can be arrested and prosecuted in military courts. Every year in Palestine, between 500 and 700 children are taken from their families without any warning or a warrant.
Jewish Voice for Peace is the fastest growing national Jewish organization in the United States. They have 72 chapters throughout our country. They believe “Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs are of equal importance and deserve equal rights. They support the rights of Palestinians and Israelis equally, and keep focus on American involvement, international law, and universal principles of human rights. They are at the leading edge of a trend to question U.S. policies on Israel.
Lynn stated that Israel is one of the most powerfully armed countries in the world, with weaponry largely provided with U.S. tax dollars, and three billion dollars of our military aid.
She told us that if we want to do something helpful, we need to go to Israel/Palestine and live on the West Bank and stay with a Palestinian family. She suggests seeing the movie, “5 Broken Cameras’ by Iyad Burnat’s brother, which explains the Palestinian point of view.
Lynn believes it is up to the international community to pressure Israel to change.
Comments:
Sam Lovering asked why people keep re-electing Benjamin Netanyahu. Lynn said that many Israelis want to back him and his policies.
Don Gwinn commented that he was also in Israel. He is distressed about the situation, and knows that all this violence is not okay and something needs to be done.
Helen Oloroso asked about the relationship between Obama and Netanyahu and how it is impacting our country’s relationship with Israel.
Steve Goranson asked about what is happening at Congregation JRC and Rabbi Rosen who is opposed to the stand Israel is taking. His position at JRC is tenuous at this time.
Keith Sarpolis also said that Palestinians have huge restrictions.
Kristin Brown mentioned that things have changed. Jewish youth on campuses are looking at this differently and want to see equal rights for everyone.
Lynn finished by saying: “Israelis feel unsafe. Palestinians are unsafe.”
Lynn Pollack and Harold Bauer
New Member
Ellen Young, District 6440 Rotary Governor was visiting our club and helped install Michael Massini as a new member. Michael’s sponsor was John Osterlund.
Visitors and Milestones
