Two Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends members attended this conference held at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, so were unable to join the 12 Witnesses that held vigil at Beth Israel Congregation. The beauty of the conference was exceeded only by Duke's campus itself - stone structures throughout, warm walkways and malls, spiced by a clear blue sky with autumn in mid-stride.

The activist energy at these conferences is contagious. It's great rejoining those we haven't seen in a year (like Fadi Kiblawi and Ora Wise), great to hear wonderful speakers like Diana Buttu, Mazin Qymsiyeh, Rebecca Stein and Nasser Abufatha, and great to witness a divestment campaign that grows stronger. See article.

As has been reported, members of JWP&F speak to the Ann Arbor City Council during Public Commentary about issues relating to the military occupation of Palestine. Five minutes after the meeting started (Monday), this writer was informed by a newspaper reporter that a late entry into the agenda included a resolution by Council members to condemn our vigils. 35 minutes later the resolution passed unanimously, generating the following front page story in the Ann Arbor News:

"For two years, Henry Herskovitz has persistently lobbied the Ann Arbor City Council to pass a resolution urging the federal government to stop military aid to Israel. On Monday, the council acted, but not in the way Herskovitz had hoped. Instead, the council unanimously passed a resolution condemning people such as Herskovitz for holding political protests outside "houses of worship." See article.

...and full text of Resolution printed below signature

Israeli Rabbi Supports Jewish Witnesses

Rabbi Jeremy Milgrom, former visitor to Ann Arbor and currently residing in Jerusalem wrote last Tuesday: " ... I've been following your ordeals via emails posted on the EMEM list, and wanted to convey my support in challenging the silence of the Jewish community to what is going on in the Middle East ... Best wishes, Rabbi Jeremy Milgrom, Jerusalem"

Thanks to Jeremy for adding his voice to Hedy's and Noam's.

An unseen (to this writer) document is being circulated among Ann Arbor clergy, calling for condemnation of our vigils and requesting clergy signatures. One wonders what word they would use to describe their reaction to really despicable acts, like mayhem or house demolitions. Aren't they going to wear out "condemnation" if they use it to describe reaction to silent, respectful vigils?

A clergy member at the Interfaith Roundtable meeting yesterday informed this writer that she had signed onto this document. When questioned whether she had observed our vigils, she replied that she hadn't, but that in spirit thought them worthy of condemnation. Hello?

Quite chilly and a bit rainy. Elaine and I were insulted by a man, accompanied by his wife, who was walking by us on his way into the synagogue. He called us "fascist bitches" and said he hoped we would be "removed forcibly." Boy, was he angry; almost spitting out the words. Another man asked '"What about suicide bombers? Do you like them?" and his wife suggested, "Why don't you go to Israel?"

.There were a lot of clergy who attended the service; a crowd of congregants gathered outside with the Torah, singing and dancing. I thought it was very instructive for the various clergy to see that we are a peaceful, non-antagonistic group.

Operation "Days of Penitence", Israeli Invasion of Gaza, Oct. 16, 2004

-- 18 days

-- deteriorating human conditions in the northern Gaza strip

-- 130 people killed, including 30 children

source: The Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement

Work for Peace,

Henry Herskovitz

RESOLUTION AFFIRMING FREEDOM TO WORSHIP WITHOUT INTERFERENCE AND CONDEMNING THE PICKETING OF HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Whereas, All people with all viewpoints have a right to freedom of speech where it does not infringe on others' constitutional rights;

Whereas, Democracy and the freedoms it engenders cannot exist without civil discourse that shows tolerance for all beliefs;

Whereas, Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are both paramount values at the heart of American democracy;

Whereas, Worship is often central to religious expression;

Whereas, Freedom to worship in peace, without obstruction or interference is the right of all people;

Whereas, State of Michigan laws prohibit interference with religious services;

Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is home to many cultures and denominations of worship;

Whereas, In the City of Ann Arbor, at least one house of worship has been subjected to weekly picketers who confront worshipers and ask passersby to honk their horns and cause a disturbance to worship services;

RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council affirms the right of people in the City of Ann Arbor to attend services at houses of worship without interference or obstruction; and

RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council condemns the picketing of houses of worship during the hours when congregants are attending worship services.

Date: October 18, 2004

Sponsored by: Councilmembers Reid, Greden, Easthope, Lowenstein, Higgins, Carlberg, Teall, Woods; Mayor Hieftje