Operation Cast Lead Silence No Option - Interfaith statement calls for end of fighting on both sides. "The news from Israel and Gaza is devastating and heartbreaking for everyone, but especially for us who are involved in peace building." Brenda Rosenberg L ocal Jewish voices are among those publicly calling on Israel to halt its military operation against Hamas. Brenda Rosenberg of Bloomfield Hills, in her capacity as executive producer of the play, Reuniting the Children of Abraham, the Rev. Daniel S. Appleyard of Christ Episcopal Church in Dearborn and Victor Ghalib Begg, head of the Detroit-based Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan, are gather- ing signatures to an interfaith statement calling for an end to the fighting and for peace and reconciliation between all parties to the conflict. The American Jewish Committee (AJC), which maintains a Muslim Jewish Dialogue and is deeply involved in inter- faith activities, chose not to sign the statement. "The news from Israel and Gaza is devastating and heartbreaking for everyone, but especially for us who are involved in peace building," Brenda Rosenberg said. " [We] felt silence was not an option, and we must rise to the challenge of the pressure we were feel- ing from friends and family to pick sides ... we wanted to be part of a solu- tion ... and demonstrate that there are Christian, Muslims, Jews and people from all faith traditions who are deeply committed to finding non-violent solu- tions to the Mideast crisis." The statement was published in the Detroit Free Press on Dec. 30, and is making its way around the country. It reads in part, "We understand the state- ment that we have signed shows that the interfaith community: is still talking to each other; is praying for a long-term A18 January 8 2009 ,114 solution to the problem in the Middle East; is asking for all to working locally for the collective good and for peace; and, denunciates violence on all sides without finger-pointing at a single side' The statement calls for an immedi- ate end to the use of force by all parties, for the United States to mediate peace and for "the Israelis and Arabs to reach agreement on final and secure borders, to live in peace with justice side by side, recognizing each other's right to exist with dignity and security" As of Jan. 2, the majority of 68 signa- tors are from the Christian community, with two other local Jewish interfaith activists, Sheri Schiff of Birmingham and Gail Katz of Bloomfield Hills signing on. Because of the holidays, the state- ment has not yet been widely distributed in the Jewish community. Not Signing "While we deeply value our interfaith work, we recognize the incredible com- plexities that the Middle East situation presents:' said Kari Alterman, director of AJC's Bloomfield Township-based Metro Detroit Chapter. "It is overly simplistic to call for a cessation of all violence, a position that ignores the fact that Israel is doing what any other state would do under these circumstances, namely defend its citi- zens from rocket and missile attacks. We believe in focusing on what we here can do — continue to build relationships, listen to and understand different per- spectives, educate others about our core beliefs." The major interfaith organization in the community, the Detroit-based Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion and its Interfaith Partners project, was not a party to the statement and does not intend to sign. Taking a much different tone, "Stop the Bombing of Gaza" was the title of a Dec. 28, 2008, statement issued by American Jews for a Just Peace (AJJP), which formed a Michigan chapter this October. The group calls itself an "alli- ance of activists" made up of autono- mous chapters and individual members "working to ensure equal rights, safety and dignity for all the people of historic Palestine." AJJP's statement charged that Israel's attacks "indiscriminately destroyed medical and governmental buildings, homes and other civilian infrastruc- ture." It called the attacks "cruel and barbarous" and "inhumane' The state- ment did not condone Hamas attacks on Israel, but blamed Israel for breaking the ceasefire with "unprovoked attacks." It also calls for an immediate cease-fire and U.S.-moderated peace talks. ❑ "It is overly simplistic to call for a cessation of all violence, a position that ignores the fact that Israel is doing what any other state would do under these circumstances." Kari Alterman 4.111111101140000ftlitit Support Israeli Soldiers F riends of the Israel Defense Forces has launched an Emergency Campaign, FIDF Frontline Operation, aimed at raising awareness and money to fulfill the immediate wellbeing needs of IDF sol- diers on the frontlines of the Gaza Strip. "As Israeli ground forces enter the Gaza Strip and launch the second stage of Operation Cast Lead aimed at fighting the Hamas terrorist organiza- tion and its infrastructure in the Gaza strip, it is imperative that the American Jewish community stands side-by- side with these brave young men and women who are risking their lives to protect our Jewish homeland;' said Major General (Res.) Yitzhak Gershon, national director of Friends of the IDE FIDF has been there from the begin- ning, distributing care packages to IDF soldiers in the field. Care packages include personal hygiene products; per- sonal sweet packages filled with snacks; rest and recreation field tents, where soldiers can keep warm, relax, watch cable TV, enjoy food and drinks sta- tions and play board games; portable cell phone chargers so soldiers can contact loved ones; warm clothing; and heating devices. FIDF will continue to support the soldiers and accommodate their needs wherever they are. Join the FIDF Frontline Operation to ensure the IDF soldiers never stand alone: www.israelsoldiers.org. FIDF is the official organization raising money in the United States on behalf of the IDF for its soldiers. 0 The Michigan Friends of the IDF Sunday Morning Club will hold a special briefing on Israel's Operation Cast Lead at 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan.11, at Keter Torah Synagogue, 5480 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, by Lt. Col. Eliezer Toledano, battalion com- mander in Paratrooper's Special Forces. Free admission; light refreshments. Donations accept- ed. Information: (248) 926-4110.