Thank for this eloquent statement. I believe you speak for many. Namaste, Sara
> On Jan 18, 2025, at 3:34 PM, karmachay--- via Lincoln > <[email protected]> wrote: > > I offer here my two cents on the recent discussions regarding the GRALTA > events… > > I attended my first GRALTA Foundation meeting last month. Spurred by the > discussions in LincolnTalk, I decided to go and listen to the speakers > myself. It was a full house at Bemis that day and the speakers included an > American Jew and a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem. They talked about > their experiences and gave their perspectives, followed by a round of > questions and answers. If you were looking for something incendiary or > bombastic, you would have been disappointed. It was a staid but somber > presentation. I subsequently attended another GRALTA event – a film that > focused on the experience of two young American adults who had gone to Israel > and came back with a different perspective of what was going on in Israel. It > was poignant but I did not see or hear anything that remotely indicated > incitement for hatred of Jews. > > The events in the last year and a half have been heart-wrenching and have > brought to fore the tragic situation in the region. Jews and Arabs both live > with so much pain, fear and uncertainty. The barbaric massacre and kidnapping > by Hamas on October 7 unleashed a new wave of violence. The names and faces > of those still held captive are a constant reminder of that tragic day. Among > the captives is Bipin, a 23-year-old from my home country of Nepal. I read > about the agony of his family in the Nepali newspapers as they await news of > his fate and hope for his safe return. In the aftermath of this attack, we > have seen the relentless bombings unleashed by the Israeli government. I am > struck by the dehumanization of the Palestinian people and our silence in the > face of the seeming banality of the Israeli actions, as people squabble about > whether the death toll is 40,000 of if the reports are inflated and the toll > is only 30,000. > > Attempts to silence criticism of the Israeli government’s actions and to > prevent expression of different perspectives on the conflict by demonizing > them as antisemitic are troubling to me. The seam of antisemitism runs deep > in the American and European societal fabric. Trying to drown out > disagreeable views by labeling them as antisemitic trivializes the > seriousness of antisemitism and runs the risk diluting the cause - akin to > the boy who cried wolf. The rise in antisemitism in the US is real, as has > been documented over the last two decades by organizations like the Southern > Poverty Law Center. The real serious threats reside in the rise of the > far-right neo-Nazi groups, both in the U.S. and in Europe. The current unholy > alliance of the pro-Israel lobby with the far-right for the sake of political > expediency may lead to short-term gain but it will lead to indelible harm to > the fight against antisemitism in the long run. I am reminded of Martin > Niemöller’s refrain as I view the current situation with the far right along > the lines of “First they came for the Arabs…”. > > These are difficult and complex topics that engender strong emotions and do > not lend themselves to quick one-line answers. Discussion in email and online > boards often degenerate into acerbic language and hurt feelings, as we > ascribe tone and facial expressions to the words that we read. In-person > meetings present the opportunity for more civil and fruitful discussions, > even though that there will be differences in opinion. I firmly believe that > most of us, if not all of us, mean well and want to do good and help > alleviate the suffering of others, though we may have different ideas on what > to do and how to do it, > > I laud Steve and Barbara Low for their attempts to give voice to the > voiceless and provide a platform for perspectives of those who are deeply > involved in the Holy Land, as the Lows call it. There is a range of opinions > and perspectives on these issues among the Jewish people. I had not met Steve > and Barbara before, but I found them to be reasonable, thoughtful and kind. > The motto that the GRALTA Foundation highlights is "Equal Rights for Equal > People", as they clearly expound on their website > https://gralta.org/about-gralta/. Steve talked about how he visits Yad Vashem > during every trip to Israel and spends time in the section for the Righteous > Among the Nations, in honor of the non-Jews who took great risks to save Jews > from the Nazis. I see the Lows’ work along the same vein, as Jews trying to > lend their hands and voices to non-Jews who are suffering, in the hallowed > tradition of tikkun olam. > > In peace, > Rakesh > > > > > On Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 08:46:55 AM EST, Sara Mattes > <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Unless you have seen these films, you cannot make categorical statements as > to your interpretation. > > I urge all to refrain from commentary unless they are prepared to make > conclusions. > > Commentary and reviews include citing examples from the piece being critiqued. > > We are savvy enough to do that, aren’t we? > Sent from my iPad > >> On Jan 18, 2025, at 8:42 AM, Margo Fisher-Martin >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> > >> >> >> My thoughts exactly. Why stop there? I bet we could think of many types of >> films and presentations that people here in Lincoln would feel strongly >> about not supporting. As Jonathon and others have stated, these films >> encourage the hatred of Jews and promote antisemitism. I truly believe in >> freedom of speech, but if these films were about any of the topics stated >> below (and I could name many more), then I am sure people would feel >> differently about watching and “drawing their own conclusions.” >> >> Respectfully, >> >> Margo Fisher-Martin >> 14 Giles Rd >> >> >> On Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 8:03 AM Jonathan Sheffi <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> If movies that promote hatred of Jews via conspiracy theory are worthy of >> our town, why stop there? Are there any such movies that we would not >> encourage people to attend? Movies that call for the resumption of human >> slavery for black people in America? Movies that call for the slaughter of >> Native Americans? Movies that call for the institutionalization or >> sterilization of LGBTQ+ people? Movies that call for resuming limits on >> immigration of Catholics? Movies that call for banning women from the >> workforce? >> >> More plainly, where is our line? Are there any identity groups in Lincoln >> for whom promoting hatred and bigotry is not ok? >> ᐧ >> >> On Sat, Jan 18, 2025 at 7:20 AM Sara Mattes <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> >> All, >> Watching films to determine their message and the underlying implications >> has been important to understanding history. >> For me, I have watched more than a few. >> I could not have understood the depth of deception or truth without doing so. >> I am sure we are educated and intelligent enough to discern fact from >> fiction, to process what is useful information…and maybe even learn >> something new…to draw our own conclusions. >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >>> On Jan 18, 2025, at 6:51 AM, Jonathan Sheffi <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> I am familiar with the movies >>> <https://5a55e4ca.streaklinks.com/CR2DakQ9_et2XzwkdgphSOwK/https%3A%2F%2Fpairlist9.pair.net%2Fmailman%2Fprivate%2Flincoln%2F2024-December%2F067572.html>, >>> including this one. >>> >>> This particular movie has nothing to do with the people of Gaza at all. >>> It's a movie that promotes a conspiracy theory that the Jewish people >>> "secretly control" the US government. And Mr Low's flier for the film takes >>> things a step further, implying that Lincoln is also vulnerable to "secret >>> Jewish control." The movie's conclusion is that people should do what they >>> can to prevent Jews everywhere from seeking political power like other >>> identity groups do. >>> >>> Would Mr Low and Ms Mattes also encourage us to watch QAnon propaganda >>> videos, so we can "make up our own minds"? Those videos were also based on >>> lies, though I've heard that the filmography of them was quite convincing, >>> leading a lot of people to believe their nonsense. >>> ᐧ >>> >>> On Fri, Jan 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> It is the responsibility of those who object to organize/ sponsor/ host >>> what you describe. >>> >>> How can anyone condemn these films without seeing them? >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>>> On Jan 17, 2025, at 4:49 PM, Jane Appell <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> Thank you to all who are speaking out very articulately. It is valuable to >>>> have views aired in the open. I particularly agree with the statement that >>>> there is a difference between anti semitism and the criticizing of >>>> Israel's political stance. This dilemma has caused a lot of grief inside >>>> the liberal Jewish community as well as in the world. We all need to be >>>> able to think critically, but it is too easy to revert to simplistic >>>> thinking. >>>> >>>> My objection to the particular films that have been shown is that they >>>> give a partial picture of the entire situation. They not inherently bad >>>> films, but they miss perspective when shown separately to a group of >>>> people who may or may not have a well-rounded historical, emotional and >>>> political perspective of the situation. This is particularly the case >>>> since October 7 of last year. I believe the films would be more valuable >>>> as part of a well rounded approach to the Issues that present themselves >>>> in Israel and Palestine--perhaps a series of films with a variety of >>>> viewpoints, followed by discussion that can examine all aspects of what >>>> has been happening. Otherwise these films run the risk of perpetuating a >>>> black-white view of the situation, which I believe is potentially >>>> dangerous. >>>> >>>> Jane >>>> Jane Appell, Ph.D. >>>> 781-259-1049 >>>> www.janeappell.com <http://www.janeappell.com/> >>>> >>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE - The information in this transmission is intended >>>> only for the individual indicated and may include confidential and >>>> privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are >>>> hereby notified that any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or the >>>> taking of any action relevant to the contents of this transmission are >>>> prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify >>>> the sender. >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Jan 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM Jonathan Sheffi <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> No, that's not what I'm saying at all. Definitely skip the "Zionist >>>> conspiracy theory" movies. >>>> >>>> On Fri, Jan 17, 2025, 15:11 Sara Mattes <[email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>> All, >>>> We have heard from a number of very articulate voices as to concerns over >>>> the GRALTA series >>>> Jonathan has told us what he thinks we need to alerted to regarding this >>>> upcoming movie. >>>> As Rachel reminds us, this is one voice. >>>> >>>> The only way to sort some of the statements out is to go view and critique >>>> the movies ourselves. >>>> New aware and be sensitive. >>>> >>>> I trust we are educated and sophisticated enough to reach informed >>>> conclusions on our own. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> On Jan 17, 2025, at 2:32 PM, Jonathan Sheffi <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I genuinely appreciate your earnestness, and you make a great point for >>>>> why anti-Zionism is inherently antisemitic: Criticism of Israel's actions >>>>> is different from criticizing Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, >>>>> which is typically leveled at it only because it is Jewish, as in these >>>>> movies. >>>>> >>>>> A nation is not required to be perfect in order to be legitimate (see: >>>>> USA, Canada, England, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, not to mention >>>>> China, Syria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, etc). This is what is so dangerous >>>>> about these movies and speakers. They criticize not only Israel's actions >>>>> (in a highly biased and inaccurate way), but also claim that the Jewish >>>>> people therefore do not deserve equal rights to political power or >>>>> self-determination the way that other people do. By creating a "Jews bad, >>>>> Arabs good" narrative, not only do the movies falsely demonize the Jewish >>>>> people, they rob everyone of the opportunity to take a broader >>>>> perspective. >>>>> >>>>> I think this is the healthiest back-and-forth we've had on this topic so >>>>> far. Thanks, Rachel. >>>>> ᐧ >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Jan 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM Rachel Marie Schachter >>>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> I know you’re not calling for censorship. I do think that some other >>>>> responses on LincolnTalk were saying this series shouldn’t be allowed to >>>>> take place. >>>>> >>>>> To answer you directly — I believe, and work daily to live into the >>>>> belief, that any speech or actions against Jewish people based on being >>>>> Jewish is absolutely wrong, which isn’t anywhere near a strong enough >>>>> word. I don’t know you and you don’t know me, so I can’t convince you of >>>>> that over email, and I’m not trying to. >>>>> >>>>> When people trying to criticize Israel, a political power, conflate that >>>>> criticism with demonization of all Jewish people, it delegitimizes any >>>>> argument being made. Period. There are people advocating for the people >>>>> of Palestine who are working hard to not do that, and to actively combat >>>>> it. I was trying to agree as someone who believes in a free Palestine >>>>> that antisemitism isn’t somehow suddenly fine, and you’re right, a lot of >>>>> the loudest voices are acting like it is. And I wanted to remind people >>>>> that no one person is the voice of a movement or viewpoint. >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for taking me at face value and having a genuine conversation. >>>>> That’s all I’m trying to do. >>>>> >>>>> Rachel >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Jan 17, 2025 at 9:15 AM Jonathan Sheffi <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>> Nobody is calling for censorship. However, these movies (with which I >>>>> happen to be familiar >>>>> <https://5a55e4ca.streaklinks.com/CRxaqkMJySZHSrNlWQjEey_U/https%3A%2F%2Fpairlist9.pair.net%2Fmailman%2Fprivate%2Flincoln%2F2024-December%2F067572.html>) >>>>> each promote the delegitimization of equal rights for the Jewish people >>>>> in different ways, whether opposing their right to free speech, to >>>>> political power, or to self-determination. And so they are being called >>>>> out for promoting hatred against a minority group. >>>>> >>>>> You say that calling out antisemitism in any movement is important, and I >>>>> agree with you, but you haven't yet said what that means to you. Which >>>>> beliefs, speech, or actions against the Jewish people do you oppose, and >>>>> which beliefs, speech, or actions against the Jewish people do you not >>>>> oppose? >>>>> ᐧ >>>>> >>>>> On Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 7:07 PM Rachel Marie Schachter >>>>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> I apologize if this falls in the category of something that shouldn't be >>>>> continued on LincolnTalk, but I don't want to respond to you privately, >>>>> Steve (Brown), and have you think that I'm saying something privately >>>>> that I wouldn't be willing to say publicly. I've also had this general >>>>> idea floating around my brain for a while, and since I don't know you >>>>> personally, I think it makes more sense to respond on LincolnTalk. >>>>> >>>>> I want to acknowledge your pain and trauma, your lived experience, and >>>>> the very true and real history and present rise in antisemitism in >>>>> America, including in our town and locally. I truly hope it doesn't make >>>>> that seem insincere to say I just want to remind people that Steve Low is >>>>> just one person, GRALTA is just one organization made up of more than one >>>>> person who I assume don't all share exactly the same viewpoints, and not >>>>> everyone who believes in a free Palestine (myself included, and I have >>>>> for a long time) approaches their advocacy with antisemitic rhetoric, by >>>>> conflating Zionism (which I don't believe has a simple cut-and-dry >>>>> definition, but I'm also just one person) with the state of Israel with >>>>> Jewish people in general. Steve Low obviously doesn't believe he's doing >>>>> that, and I'm not here to argue that one way or the other. There is a ton >>>>> of antisemitic rhetoric within factions of movements advocating for a >>>>> free Palestine. It's not every person or every organization, but it >>>>> absolutely exists, and it shouldn't, and it detracts from everyone's >>>>> goals because it's deflective and misguided. >>>>> >>>>> In my view, true liberation demands calling out antisemitism within any >>>>> movement, the same way it demands calling out any legitimately harmful >>>>> rhetoric. I don't believe in censoring the series (for transparency, I >>>>> haven't seen any of the films) because I don't believe in censorship in >>>>> general. I just hope it gives literally anyone comfort to be reminded >>>>> that no one person or group is the face of any movement or outlook, and >>>>> the loudest voices are very much not necessarily the voice of a majority, >>>>> let alone a consensus. >>>>> >>>>> Rachel >>>>> >>>>> On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM S Brown <[email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>>>> As we ponder the implications of the question raised in the message >>>>> below: “Could this happen in Lincoln?”, we might also consider once again >>>>> how antisemitic rhetoric has become normalized in Lincoln. The >>>>> implication is that a Zionist conspiracy is encroaching dangerously upon >>>>> our town, seeking to control the media, the educational system, and the >>>>> government. >>>>> >>>>> For those who don’t see how disturbingly insensitive, offensive, >>>>> inflammatory and utterly frightening this sort of rhetoric is to so many >>>>> Jews in this town, I weep. >>>>> >>>>> For those like my family, who have long had our children under armed >>>>> guard at their schools, camps, and places of worship, who have been so >>>>> repeatedly traumatized by events over the course of the last 15 monhts, >>>>> and who feel so deeply the pain of all those who have suffered in the >>>>> war, I weep even more, as I see this town we love, once a sanctuary, >>>>> succumb to a venomous rhetoric that is poisoning our community, and >>>>> labels us as the enemy. >>>>> >>>>> Steve Brown >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> Begin forwarded message: >>>>>> >>>>>> From: "Stephen R. Low" <[email protected] >>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>>> Subject: [LincolnTalk] Reminder: GRALTA's Israel-Palestine Film Series >>>>>> continues on Thursday (Jan 16) and Sunday (Jan 19) >>>>>> Date: January 15, 2025 at 7:03:36 PM EST >>>>>> To: "Lincoln Talk" <[email protected] >>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>> >>>>>> Reply-To: [email protected] >>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]> >>>>>> >>>>>> The GRALTA Foundation screens the second film in our winter film series >>>>>> The Lobby-USA (Part 1), a 2017 documentary produced by Al Jazeera >>>>>> Investigations. >>>>>> >>>>>> “A superb undercover investigation” >>>>>> ~ Middle East Monitor ~ >>>>>> >>>>>> Two screenings in Lincoln, MA—a weekday evening and a Sunday afternoon. >>>>>> Thursday, January 16 at 7 PM at Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Road >>>>>> Sunday, January 19 at 2 PM at the Lincoln Public Library, 3 Bedford Road >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://zoa.org/2018/04/10377872-zoa-mort-klein-convinced-qatar-to-cancel-anti-semitic-al-jazeera-jewish-lobby-series/> >>>>>> >>>>>> Regards, >>>>>> Steve Low >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>>> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> <image004.png> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>. >>> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > <mailto:[email protected].> > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >
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