Communities stand together

CASSANDRA SAVAGE SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

More than 100 people gathered at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver Sunday morning to stand with other Jewish communities across North America to demonstrate solidarity with Israel.

In Vancouver, the crowd listened to local speakers and watched a live satellite broadcast of presentations in New York, Los Angeles and Israel. The result was a co-ordinated effort through which Jewish and non-Jewish North Americans simultaneously affirmed support for Israel.

Locally, the event was co-chaired by Judy Mandleman and Naomi Frankenburg of the Israel Action Committee. Included in the roster of guests was Richmond MP Joe Peschisolido, who was acknowledged for his presence and support. The morning began with a prayer from Rabbi Phillip Bregman of Temple Sholom.

“Our lives here are safe and secure. And our brothers and sisters, as they prepare for Pesach, will do so with a sense of trepidation every day,” said Bregman. “Israel needs our support but Israel also needs now our prayers and our concerted effort that we, who live in this land of freedom, will not be quiet and not be silent.”

At 9 a.m. Pacific time, Jewish communities across North America turned their attention to the live satellite broadcast. Speakers included Mortimer B. Zuckerman, president of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; Ezra Levin, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York; Charles Schumer, New York’s senior senator; Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton; Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon; and author Elie Wiesel.

“Israel is a peace-seeking nation,” Sharon’s told the audience. “My immediate goal is to achieve a cease-fire and implement the intended plan and initial report to which we are committed. My government and I are committed to reaching a lasting, durable peace with security. But our neighbors must recognize and accept our right to live peacefully in our homeland. We appreciate your continued support.... We rely on you and we need you.”

During his own speech, Zuckerman asserted that the Palestinian Authority is the root of violence in Israel. In a statement of solidarity with Israel, he said, “We stand with the people and the state of Israel at this critical time. We share their pain and outrage and the terrible loss of life and limb as a result of the Palestinian campaign of terror and violence launched against Israel 18 months ago. We stand with Israel as it fulfils its most basic responsibility as a democracy, defending a nation and protecting its citizens.”

Connecting the World Trade Centre attacks with what’s occuring in Israel, Schumer suggested that Americans are more closely linked to Israel since September 2001 by the common threat of terrorism.

“As Americans we stand with Israel,” he said. “We are both victims of terrorism. We both have families who grieve because members of their families are no longer with us, having been slain by terrorists.”

Clinton added to this sentiment, saying, “The United States and Israel face a common threat. Make no mistake, the attack on the United States here in New York and at the Pentagon on Sept. 11 comes from the same wall of hatred and evil that stalks Israel.”

Although many of the presentations focused on the violence and tension in Israel, there were also suggestions of hope for a lasting peace and the restoration of human dignity.

Mandleman followed Clinton’s speech with a message of hope for local participants.

“I have seen with my own eyes the way Hadassah Hospital treats not only Israelis but also the care [and respect] that they give to human life. At a time when I was there, a bomber (who did not die from his wounds but was burned tragically) was in a brand new burn unit and was being cared for with the same care that was given to every single citizen no matter what their religion is in that great hospital.”

Dina Wachtel of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver also sent a positive message by offering solutions to end the violence and show continued support for Israel. She suggested that to help Israelis from afar, we can support the Israeli economy by buying Israeli products, calling friends and family in Israel, getting the facts and developing informed opinions, writing our MPs, supporting those who support Israel, watching for media bias and contacting editors to educate them, contacting the local Israel Action Committee, reaching out to people outside the Jewish community and praying for the families of wounded victims.

Cassandra Savage is a freelance writer living in Vancouver.

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