In our tradition, the emphasis on studying and interpreting texts like the Torah and the Talmud demonstrates a deep-seated value for nuance, multiple perspectives, and ongoing dialogue. It is in this spirit that we co-explore what is arguably modern Judaisms most difficult living text - the endlessly complex situation of Israel/Palestine.
Is this event right for me?
You are a Jew who wants the container of community to assess, share and be seen in how you are feeling two years since the Oct 7th massacre.
You may still be in shock, grief or anger over Hamas’ brutal attack where 1400 Jews perished.
You may feel strongly pro-Israel and do not want to feel like you are betraying Israel or your people were you to express sympathy for the Palestinians.
And…you are distressed by the Netanyahu governments devastating response.
You find yourself concerned that Netanyahu’s approach will eventually backfire.
You genuinely wish for peace and justice for all people in the region.
DETAILS
What - Embracing the Complexity is a unique Zoom gathering for Jews who want to explore, in the context of community, how they are feeling two years since the Oct 7th massacre.
When
Sun Oct 5th, 11am PT (2pm ET)
Tues Oct 7th, 11am PT (2pm ET)
Wed Oct 8th, 7pm PT (10pm ET)
Where - Zoom
Donation -There is no cost to attend. That said, at the end of the event, a donation request will follow with an invitation to support Kesher: Jews For A Shared Future
About Kesher - We are a group of liberal and progressives Jews striving to embrace the complexity of the Israel-Palestine conflict. More info HERE.
Register
When you register, you will receive a reminder, updates about these events and the, Zoom Link.
(Please check your Promotions/Updates/Spam folders to receive our emails)
We know that the situation in the Holy Land is complex.
As in other wars, both the Israeli Gov’t and Hamas utilize propaganda to put forth their own narratives.
It is the job of the journalist to assess and report the truth. But what is the bias of the news outlet and/or journalist from which the reportage is made? A story about Jewish settlers attacking Palestinians in the West Bank will look very different when read in Haaretz (Left-leaning) The Jewish Post (centrist) Arutz Sheva (right-wing).
Even if you expose yourself to a diversity and multiplicity of news sources (recommended!) then what are we to believe?
I’ve heard persuasive arguments that the Palestinian people do not want to co-exist with Jews, and then the opposite argument that the vast majority of Palestinians do want to co-exist with Jews.
I’ve read persuasive arguments that Hamas is a blood soaked death cult that must be entirely eradicated, and other reports that demonstrate that part of what fuels Hamas’ violence (and its support by some Palestinians) is years of an oppressive Israeli occupation.
Sometimes it seems that the international press criticizes Israel’s every move, while simultaneously minimizing Hamas’s horrendous crimes on Oct. 7, 2023. And yet, when Netyenahu says, “There is no starvation in Gaza”, this rings as deeply untrue.
Israel, a flawed but real and vital country, is fighting a brutal terrorist group that has the power to end the war at any time, but hates Israel enough to persist and does not care enough for its own people to stop. And yet, Israel’s pre Oct 7th and post Oct 7th behavior has not been without its own brutality.
What the Embracing The Complexity Gathering Isn’t:
A container to discover once-and-for-all the “facts of the matter”.
A place to lecture every Jew in the Zoom room, the truth (according to you.)
A place that will encourage you to double-down on mono-polar viewpoints.
A place where neither left-wing or right-wing fundamentalism is encouraged.
What Embracing The Complexity Gathering Is:
A container to feel and own your complex feelings regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A place where you don’t have to abandon your love of Israel or the Jewish people to experience widening your circle of care to include those suffering in Gaza.
A place to stretch, stretch, stretch to include more complexity and nuance.
A place to share where you are and be seen and welcomed.
Format: Heart Circle
Inquiry: ”What is in your heart regarding Oct 7th and its aftermath, now 2 years later?
Setup:
Listen with the ears of the heart.
No cross talk - this isn’t a typical discussion, more like sitting in a sacred space - like a Jewish talking stick circle. The co-exploration is in the listening and receiving.
We aren’t here to persuade, debate or argue other Jews out of their feelings and beliefs.
Above all, take responsibility for your own reactions.
Note from Kesher: Jews for A Shared Future
Jonathan Gustin, has allowed us to use the infrastructure of his school (PGI) to host this webpage (as well as use of his school’s registration system. That said, this is strictly a Kesher event. Please know that the email list and donations are strictly for Kesher.