Who taught you to stand up for your beliefs?
Young Jewish and Proud member Antonia House with her brother Greg and parents Tina and Jonathan.
Dear Stan,For me, it's my parents.
We aren't always on the same side of every issue—but even when we disagree, my parents stand by me with support, love, and respect. They've always insisted that I live my life, and act, with integrity.
Many of us have been lucky enough to have someone in our lives who insisted that we stand up for what's right in the world—even when it's hard, even when many of our friends, family and community may not agree with us.
Honor that person this Hanukkah with a gift to Jewish Voice for Peace. You'll honor their legacy while supporting the only national Jewish organization that supports full equality for Palestinians and Israelis.
Last month, when I was in New Orleans with the other Young, Jewish and Proud leaders who bravely disrupted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United States' largest gathering of Jewish leaders, I struggled to hold on to the courage I needed in that room where so many people wanted to silence us. It was an incredible, and terrifying experience—but I got through it by holding onto the values my parents raised me with.
Like my parents always taught me—standing for justice is not about doing what's popular, or easy. But it is about heeding our inner wisdom and moral compass, keeping our eyes open to the realities of the world around us, and speaking truth to power. Sometimes it's incredibly hard to do…but we do it because it's the right thing to do, and often because we've been lucky enough to have people in our lives who showed us how to do it.
Stand with JVP, and make a gift in honor or in memory of the person who
taught you to stand for what's right in the world.
Thank you so much for all that you do this Hanukkah and always.
Sincerely,
Antonia House
Jewish Voice for Peace
P.S. Members of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council have put together some wonderful Hanukkah texts that you can download here.
Hi Antonia House, Stan,
BeantwoordenVerwijderenMy compliments for your action (especially the major impressive one in New Orleans).
Still, I do not feel invited to donate. Because: it is "JVP": Jewish by name.
Am I supposed to support that World Peace will be created by jews? Were I jewish, am I imposing peace on non-jews then? Were I non-jewish, is my peace depending on jews, i.e. others? Either way: I don't won't to go that way.
Of course, within the 'jewish community' there is some talk to do. As you started with Netanyahu in NO. But still someone needs to explain what about this with non-jews. Is there a jewish-peace, and a non-jewish peace? Why not ask the Palestinians their free choice?
To me, the only line is universal justice, and humanism. Jewishness out of the equation. A jew who cannot live with that -- no place for you, mate.
eGast