I’ll bet many of those reading this blog check the news once a day to see what the news is in Israel/Palestine. For some of you, your homepage is the Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, or Al-Jazeera.
I’ll bet many of you are thinking about the flotilla, or accusations about border violence. Every day there is something in the news about this conflict. Every day the media creates bitter feelings and frustration.
But did you see the picture above in the news last week? I was fortunate to be able to march with a group of 500 dedicated Jews, Arabs, and many other types of people from all over Israel and from abroad. We circled the gates of the old city in the striking midday sun, singing a mix of songs from many traditions about creating peace. The event is an annual event organized by the Jerusalem Peacemakers, a group of community leaders from different faiths and across borders creating dialogue in the region. There, not only did I dance like a crazy person, but I also hugged Israeli hippies, danced with Arabs from a village near Gush Etzion, and participated in the most inspirational Horah I had ever taken part in. Passersby looked at us with puzzled expressions. What are you protesting?
Nothing. We’re celebrating each other.
As we danced together excitedly in the circle, we shared glances with one another. Our eyes said: I get you. We’re in this together. We are two very different types of people. We both exist. And we have a shared humanity.
We chanted things like “Bring in the Love!” and “All we need is a hug!”
My activist-meter kicked in. This activism might have worked in the sixties, but that’s not what we need! We need legislation, community organizations, funding! No, its true. Hugs are not all we need.
Nor is it even close to all that there is, as I have been slowly learning during my time here.
Not that I really knew about all the other initiatives before I got here. I didn’t know about the 350 non-profit organizations that exist in this tiny country to promote peace-making and co-existence. Al-Jazeera didn’t tell me. I didn’t know about the Abrahamic Reunion, which seeks to bring mystics of all religions together to hold onto the visions of justice of the prophet Isaiah. The Jerusalem Post didn’t mention it. Nor did I know about Kulanana, a coalition of organizations which aim to help young Israelis of all backgrounds become increasingly comfortable with the diversity that characterizes our society by providing a meaningful and inclusive sense of civic belonging.
There are so many amazing peace-seekers and activists here from different backgrounds. Every day, they face cynicism and resistance from their respective communities. As Eliyahu McLean of Jerusalem Peacemakers (and an organizer of the Jerusalem Hug), you need to have a type of Holy Chutzpah to be involved in this type of work. One must look at the resistance that exists and say: “There are two deeply wounded and traumatized nations existing in this land, both competing over victimhood identities. There is a lot of emotion. How can we, as community leaders, transcend these feelings, and awaken a sense of shared humanity?”
When Eliyahu spoke, I cried. I was so, so, hopeful–even just for a moment.
I ask myself a related question all the time: how can my religious fervor be important to create understanding and positive within our nation and among others?
What do you think of the Jerusalem Hug?
Photos courtesy of Erica Rothschild
Dasi, this is incredible. Leaves me speechless (as your writing so often does).
You’re right: we need so much more than a hug. BUT I don’t think any legislation, community organizations, funding, or agreements can work without being complemented by the ethos of all we need is a hug. You know what I mean?
Remember Sing for Security? It needs to be a combination.
I love you so, so, so much, Hadas, and I am so proud of the work you’re doing and the person you are. Thank you for you.
ABSOLUTELY. You’re talking to the biggest proponent of SFS!
I feel very strongly that political messages aren’t enough–there MUST be human relationships. That said, even meaningful human relationships need to be expanded beyond a hug–building trust, doing social action together, etc. And before the dancing part of the day, they had opening circles and discussions, so that’s really cool.
Thank you for your comment–I always love to read your feedback. <3