"If we do this (proposal) quickly it should only take 7-10 minutes." -Ari Chester, Exc. Director LZA
"... it's not a microwave burrito." -Jamie Levin, Mazkir
"J is for Judaism and that's vauge enough for me" -Jeff Cohen
If you look at other ethnic conflicts, Arab-Israeli...not so bad." -Michael Davidson
"...also Ben Meisleman is really super." -Hollis Architzel (following a heated debate with Ben)
"I'm going to pee myself to get out of Veida." -Nomi Adiv (After the thirty seventh proposal)
"And I love you Chaver Maurice." -Josh Cohen
Warning: All quotes are completly out of context.
A Message from the New Racaz
Shalom Chaverim.
Welcome the newest issue of B'tnua with your newest Racaz Bet Michael Davidson, sometimes known in Habonim Dror as Mike D. Although I have been on the job since November this is my first opportunity to put together our movement newsletter. First I would like to thank all those who contributed articles and pictures to this issue of B'tnua, and acknowledge that it is really the active membership of this movement who make this possible. I would also like to thank the rest of the Mazkirut artzit, Jamie Levin, Alexis Kort, and Ilana Ron for their help and support, my friends and family, the academy, and the fine coffee products of the Halal Olympia Deli on Sixth avenue, and the Maryland Food Collective for sustaining me through the process.
As a great American Revolutionary once wrote "These are the times that try men's soul's (and women's. ed.)." In many of these articles you will see the challenge that we in Habonim Dror face today. While the drums of war beat from the hills of Jerusalem to Potomac River it is hard stand up and talk about peaceful solutions and just answers. While Governments in Israel and America have used the fog of war to pass budgets and bills so detrimental to the majority of their citizens that they compromise a war on the vast working classes of both countries it is hard to stand up and advocate for economic equality and social justice. Yet that is exactly what I have seen Habonim Dror doing. Other more weak-kneed folks who claimed to believe in peace and economic justice back when everything was cheery have fallen silent and allowed the radical right in both countries to lead them down a path of destruction. But the collection of activist in Habonim Dror have continued to fight for what they believe in. In Israel I have seen members of Kvutsat Yovel using their collective framework and working with Rabbi's for Human Rights to improve the situation in the Territories instead of making it worse.
I have seen the ideals and sacrifice in the eyes of Workshnatters as they prepare for their time on chavot when they will be challenged with various tikkun olam projects all over the state of Israel, working with the inspiring examples in our sister movement Hanoar Haoved v'Halomed. In North America I have been part of the Veida which continues to exemplify the ideals of democracy and debate in our movement as we called for an end to the occupation and a just peace for Israeli's and Palestinians which will ensure the future of the Jewish state.
Watching the news everyday can be pretty depressing these days. War, poverty, injustice and public apathy about these things in North America and Israel can get one down. But spending time with Habonim Dror at winter seminar, veida, and mifgash in Israel can inspire one to know that there are still people amongst the Zionist left who are doing something about these problems. It is even more inspiring to be one of those doing collective activism in Habonim, and know that while these are hard times to be progressive Zionist activists we can face up to the challenge.
Adar 5762
If you would like to send an email to Ariel Sharon or any of these people involved in the situation in Israel and Palestine to let them know what you think...
Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer- Sar@mod.gov.il
Dpt. Defense Minister Dahlia Rabin-Pilosof- Sgansar@mod.gov.il
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres- Sar@mofa.gov.il
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan- ecu@un.org
US President George W. Bush- President@Whitehouse.gov
US Secretary of State Colin Powell- Secretary@state.gov