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Dear friends,

A moment off from the dark forebodings that often color our Shalom Reports to share six seeds of joy and hope. Two films, a gathering of 6,000 students to combat global scorching, a book on Heschel, a gathering of 80 people for a dialogue on "Islamophobia," and a sad-sweet memory.

Shalom, Arthur

1. Lior Liebling is a teen-age kid who plays drums, watches TV, and runs track. He is the son of friends of mine. He is a person with Down syndrome - and a "Chesed Broadcasting Station," radiating loving-kindness into the world.

"Praying with Lior" is an extraordinary new documentary film focused on Lior's preparations for and celebration of his becoming a bar mitzvah.

The New McCarthyism
Larry Cohler-Esses

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071112/cohler-esses

Meet Professor Nadia Abu El-Haj, a notorious Barnard College professor now up for tenure who: § claims the ancient Israelite kingdoms are a "pure political fabrication," § denies the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 CE and instead blames its destruction on the Jews,
does not speak or read Hebrew yet had the temerity to publish a book on Israeli archaeology that demanded such expertise, § is so ignorant of her topic that she quotes one archaeologist on how a dig might have damaged the ancient palaces of Solomon--oblivious to the fact that those palaces, if they existed, were far from the site in question.

On March 12, the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives voted to take out of the war spending bill a provision that would, with some exceptions, require the president to seek congressional approval before using military force in Iran.

According to Congressman David Obey, the provision was dropped because it was drawing enough opposition to endanger the whole effort for Congress to set a date for ending the Iraq War.

But why were so many Congressmembers ready to oppose an effort to uphold their own Constitutional powers against a runaway President?

On March 8, CQ Today reported that "Hawkish pro-Israel lawmakers are pushing [to strike out that provision]. The influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee also is working to keep the language out, said an aide to a pro- Israel lawmaker."

Dear Chevra,

What follows is both urgent and important. We hope that American Jews who affirm that Israel's physical security and its Jewish ethical future require a just and decent peace with the Palestinians will help support the emergency actions being called by a number of Israeli peace and human rights groups.

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Interweave Center's exploration of "Integral Spirituality." June 18

Rabbi Waskow will be joining Father Robert Kennedy, S.J., and other spiritual seekers on June 18 in Summit NJ for the Interweave Center's exploration of "Integral Spirituality."

Our era is witnessing the creation of an integral approach to spiritual practice that engages the daily issues of personal life and social justice. by drawing on the practices of "other" traditions to enrich one's own: Catholics practice Zen meditation, Jews learn Contemplative Prayer, Buddhists adopt the social activism of the Abrahamic traditions.

Dear Friends,

For the spiritual depth and the moral courage you-all have shown in facing the disastrous public policies and our inner discouragements of the past year, we owe you - our members, readers, contributors, and friends - our deepest thanks.

This article has been supplied by The Shalom Center as part of its effort to encourage observance of the Yohrzeit of Rabbenu Heschel, and to build a continuing observance in the future. You can take an important part in carrying Rabbi Heschel's lifework forward to the next generation of the Jewish people. Becoming a member of the Council for the Heschel Yohrzeit means joining in a commitment, a covenant.

To do this, we need your help. Please use the write-back form below to tell us your own needs and plans. And please help us with the resources — money and ideas — we will need to help you bring the teachings of Rabbi Heschel into the next generation.

Marge Piercy

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