Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Executive Director of Rabbis for Human Rights, spoke at Beth Israel Congregation on Tuesday, November 16th. Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends recognizes the attempt by Beth Israel to address issues surrounding Israel's occupation of Palestine, and therefore decided to honor their efforts by not holding vigil this Saturday, Nov. 20th.

Rabbi Ascherman's efforts are certainly to be respected. Standing in front of Caterpillar D-9 bulldozers to protect Palestinian homes is very brave. And when asked a direct question about supporting or condemning our vigils, the Rabbi demurred. Yet much of what he said left JWP&F members disappointed.

In the first place, he never mentioned the Occupation. To his credit, he did mention "occupied territories", which was marginally better than [local Rabbi Rob] Dobrusin's referral to "the territories", as if he were describing Michigan's "dunes".

Ascherman's work is very political, and he ducks responsibility for RHR, when he clarifies that "we are a human rights group, not a political group" This statement was very disingenuous, and proves the ineffectiveness of his organization, which has expressed "dismay" at the attempts by the Presbyterian (USA) Church to investigate a targeted divestment program intended to bring Israel into compliance with International Law. Their letter to Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick was indeed political, and relied on the tired charge of anti-Semitism: "This hope [Geneva Accords] cannot be credibly supported by a group of people who pass resolutions that support missionary activity directed at Jews, revive discredited rhetoric in regard to Jewish sin, and promote collective economic punishment and discrimination against Jews".

He wishes to treat the wounds of military occupation without confronting the cause, when he could be doing both. That he lives with the torment of denying the human rights of Palestinians in 1948, but embraces them now is a question only he can answer, but it would not satisfy elementary logic.

Rabbi Ascherman also averts the issue by focusing the struggle on the land, in Palestine, when, as Eleanor Roosevelt says "Human rights is local". He should have recognized that the battle is here, organizing American Jewish support for stopping US Aid to Israel, and he could have done that but chose not to. In fact he cautioned against sanctions, claiming falsely that they would adversely affect himself and his family. False, because sanctions would cause Israel to redirect its expenditures, from military to civilian, and his family's welfare would improve. He needs to reconsider his advice.

Though Rabbi Ascherman was given a standing ovation by Ann Arbor's "Progressive Jews", JWP&F finds his work worthy of admiration, but not adulation.

8 members showed up and many remarked how many more motorists greeted our signs with thumbs-up and horn honks than usual. Our low turnout reflected at least 3 member of JWP&F who motored down to Fort Benning, Georgia to demand the closure of the School of the Americas, which drew 10,000-16,000 people.

by Farouq S.

[This meeting was held at the St Francis Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, on Nov. 19th]

1-Chief Oates did a great job explaining First Amendment rights of protesters, the police and the courts. He explained his agreement with Henry and he read Henry's message. He explained how he fully got the cooperation of JWP and friends.

2- Two clergy spoke about the vigil one was against and he spoke first. Rev. Paul Simpson Duke from lst Baptist Church, He was very knowledgeable about the evils of the Israeli Occupation and all its ramifications. He just felt we need not vigil only a Jewish place of worship. We will seek him for dialoged soon. The Rev. Paul Versluis gave a fantastic presentation explaining his history and active association with METF and the vigil and how relevant and important it is to be there. He was simply fantastic.

3-There was a question and answer period. Bill T, I and several others including Barbara Pott from Catholic Social Services, Michael Brooks from Hillel and the Rabbis from both Synagogues, made comments and remarks.

4-George Lambrides made the introduction to the topic and he explained how complicated the subject is and how we were not there to discuss the I/P issue.

5-In all I thought it was a great event and Henry Herskovitz was present in spirit through out.

In the past week, ADC Michigan and the ADC National Office have received numerous calls from concerned members, regarding five major Michigan banks that have recently publicized their sponsorship of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the Detroit Jewish News. These banks include Bank One, Huntington National Bank, National City Bank, Comerica Bank and Standard Federal Bank. ADC has decided to act on behalf of these members and has vocalized its concern to each institution. In a letter sent out last week, ADC states, "It is quite disturbing and appalling that your institution would financially support the armed forces of a foreign country, especially a country that is engaged in one of the world's longest and most divisive conflicts in history. This publicized support is contrary to your institution's stated polices, which indicate that you do not interfere, or engage in political matters, nor do you endorse any political entity, especially one that is outside of the United States of America." The letter went on to state that the concerns of many customers stem from "the genuine belief that respected financial entities have no business, and ought to remain neutral, in any type of political conflict." ADC has requested an explanation of each bank's stated position and a written clarification of their polices and regulations, regarding such a matter.

Please join Jewish Witnesses as we move our vigil to the Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest this Monday, Nov. 29th, when the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County will hold its annual fundraiser. The prelude to this year's "Main Event" (see http://www.jewishannarbor.org) will begin at 5:30, for locals wealthy enough to fork out $5,000 to have a "Pre-glow supper" with Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz. http://www.jewishannarbor.org/servertransfer.html?targetURL=/ft2/form.html?__id=6232

We will formally begin our vigil at 6pm, Corner S. Huron Street and James L. Hart Parkway. Note neither the date nor location hold any religious significance.

Work for Peace,

Henry Herskovitz
Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends.

Web page: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hfc/mideast/vigil/index.htm