Israel InsigAit Honor Thy Enemy THE ISSUE Rabbinic group wants to recognize Palestinian suffering, Israeli faults. JOE BERKOFSKY Jewish Telegraphic Agency 33 New York City lizabeth Bolton, a Reconstructionist rabbi in Baltimore, based her Rosh Hashanah sermon on the story of God saving Ishmael, who tra- dition says is the ancestor of the Arabs. For her Yom Kippur Yizkor (remem- brance) service, Reform Rabbi Ellen Lippman of Brooklyn is studying an essay that suggests Jews grieve for Jewish and Palestinian victims of Middle East violence. And in Palo Alto, Calif., Amy Eilberg,,a Conserva- tive rabbi and cantor, found herself moved by a new misheberach prayer for the ill that enjoins Jews to be "open to the suffering of all people who struggle for freedom and justice." These rabbis are heeding a nation- wide call by the new American chapter of the Israeli group Rabbis for Human Rights. The group is urging liberal Jewish leaders during these High Holidays to question Israel's treatment of the Palestinians and condemn human rights violations by Palestini- ans and Israelis alike. Such criticism of Israel has been rare in the United States since the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising in Septem- ber 2000, but some rabbis say they are using the new year to speak out. "Only by recognizing that all of us — on both sides of this story — have known terrible losses, can there be a chance for all of us to live at long last in peace and safety," says Rabbi Eilberg. Rabbi Eilberg, of Palo Alto's Con- gregation Kol Emeth, was among 3,000 North American rabbis in the Conservative, Reform, Reconstruc- tionist and Renewal movements who in August received the human rights group's Days of Awe Rabbinic Resource Packet. The packet was a collection of litur- gy, contemporary writing and study texts intended to stir debate not only about Israel's immediate security needs but ultimately about its Jewish soul, says the U.S. chapter's executive direc- tor, Rabbi Brian Walt of Philadelphia. "The intent is to soften the natural, vengeful and angry reactions to terror- ism," Rabbi Walt says. "I am not a person in solidarity with the Palestinian people. But I want justice." Civil Rights Group Timed for the High Holidays, but crafted to be used by congregations throughout the year, the packet reflects the rabbinic group's stance that "every human being is created in the eyes of God, and every human being deserves basic human rights." Founded in 1988 to protest alleged Israeli human rights abuses in battling the first Palestinian uprising, or intifa- da, this group is unusual on the Israeli civil rights scene in several respects. The group employs highly visible tactics that it calls "direct actions," such as rebuilding Palestinian homes in eastern Jerusalem demolished by Israel or replanting West Bank olive DEALER ANNOUNCES• SUPER SALE VOLVOS IN STOCK %UP 11 trees on Tu B'Shevat that were uproot- ed by Israeli forces during anti-terror operations. Its 100 Israeli members, including rabbis and rabbinical students, span the denominational spectrum, which is rare in Israeli religious life. The new U.S.- based chapter of 200 members includes mostly liberal rabbis, but a tiny number of Orthodox rabbis as well. The High Holiday packet was the group's most ambitious U.S. project since it was launched in January. It sent its message to liberal Jews across North America, as well as to more than 200 liberal rabbis worldwide. The High Holiday materials are aimed at provoking debate in the Jewish community about Israel's treat- ment of the Palestinians at a time when Rabbi Walt says "some red lines have - been crossed" by Israel. In battling terrorism, Rabbi Walt _ says, the Israeli army has engaged in collective punishment of all Palestini- ans by cutting off water and electrical lines, imposing curfews in towns and villages, shooting at ambulances it believes are being used to transport terrorists or bombs and keeping emer- gency medical vehicles stopped at roadblocks. While debate about such actions has remained strong in Israel, Rabbi Walt adds, American Jewish criticism has been muffled in favor of blanket sup- port for the Jewish state. "It is hard for Jews," given the Palestinian terror "attacks on us, to feel the pain of the Palestinians," Rabbi Walt says. Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat condemned attacks on Israeli Civilians in a speech to the Palestinian parliament this week. He also called for an end to confrontation and bloodshed, and a return to the nego- tiating table with Israel. Unfortunately, a report in the Jerusalem Post reveals that Arafat's words are not reflected in Palestinian Authority actions. BEEIND THE ISSUE The report said the Palestinian Authority has intensified its campaign of incitement against Israel, especially in the schools and the media. Schoolbooks used in the Palestinian Authority do not mention Israel, and identify some Israeli cities and towns as being in "Palestine." More than 13,000 Palestinian children attend camps where they learn to emulate suicide bombers. Palestinian Web sites contain children's games that jus- tify violent demonstrations. — Allan Gale, Jewish Community Council ofilletropolitan Detroit Moral Character For Rabbi Bolton, her rabbinic credo remains the Rosh Hashanah story of how God saved Abiaham's child Ishmael and Ishmael's mother, Hagar, from dying of thirst in the desert after their expulsion by Abraham. According to the midrash, God ignored the pleas of an angel who said Ishmael's descendants would ultimate- ly harm the Jewish people. "Ishmael is a young child, a victim of forces he didn't cause," she says. "That's not some abstract ethic — we HONOR on page 30 ALL NEW 2002 C70 COUPE IMMEDIATE DELIVERY 139 MONTH LEASE SUBARU 15 M4e/H 13 Mae Rd • XC WAGONS • S60s LOW AS *39,000 miles, 20d per mile for overage. $575.00 refundable security deposit. Plus tax, title & license. $1,645 due at dellyery.*ISRP $38,150. Offer ends 9127/02. 9/13 611590 2002 29