Editor's Letter equilibrium Dear Xtend: What have you done with my cellulite? Presbyterians Regroup I is a step in the right direction toward reconciling trust and elevating dialogue between Presbyterians and Jews. But I'm leery of the largest Presbyterian coalition in America's seeming softening of a hard-line approach toward Israel. Time will tell if U.S. Jews and Presbyterians really have "salvaged a fragile unity of purpose as JTA put it in coverage of the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly votes cast in Minneapolis on July 9. Despite its tempered outcome, the assembly still recommended that the U.S. government withhold aid to pres- Robert Sklar sure Israel in its conflict with the frag- Editor mented leadership of the Palestinians. The Anti-Defamation League is right: Anti-Israel bias permeated approved assembly recommenda- tions that bolt the peacemaking burden on Israel. But where there's a hint of moderation, there's hope. Instead of adopting all of the original recommendations of a PC-USA committee, the assembly adopted an amended report giving cautious hope for stronger ties between Presbyterians and Jews. The assembly recognized both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That's a start, but nothing to do handsprings over: The report first sought to blame Israel for "Palestinian resistance ignoring the danger posed by Palestinians sworn to destroy the Jewish state. k letter Shive sent. Remarkably, this woman of honor said Presbyterians who backed the Palestinian side in the conflict did not know how much Jews in Israel and the diaspora cared about Palestinians enchained by their oppressive leaders. "I think that people came from very polarized places sup- porting the narrative that they had been persuaded by, so there was a pro-Palestinian camp and a pro-Israel camp:' Henderson told JTA. No surprise there. Henderson perceptively added, "Over the course of the General Assembly, as people began to listen to each other, they realized the importance of the other narrative and really began to learn why people felt the way they did." JTA explained that she felt Jewish groups had not dialed into how much Presbyterians and other American Christians sympathize with Palestinian Christians — and thus Palestinians as a whole as a legitimate segment of the Arab community. I found that take interesting. Angered so by Palestinian terror, the Jewish world has never been good at expressing appreciation for the plight of indoctrinated Palestinians, Muslim or Christian. Christian Palestinians have borne a spe- cial brunt perpetrated by Islamists, a faction of Muslims who affirm violence against non-adherents through Koranic verse. Setting The Stage The Shive-Henderson letter declared, "Beyond any expectation, we find ourselves discovering a new model of ministry together — a model committed to seeking, hearing and responding _to the fullness of narratives and commitments Inciting Canards with the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, Jews, The Presbyterians, so influential within Christians and Muslims." Christianity, initially put forth a report urging That assessment has the potential to bring sanctions against Israel and support to divest disparate groups together to at least talk about Church money from Israel. Those recommenda- coexistence initiatives. The Presbyterian Church tions arose in protest to Israel's Jewish settle- (USA) could shed its divisive ways and become ments in the West Bank and its naval blockade of Katharine H enderson an interfaith leader. Key to that is emboldening the Gaza Strip. Bad as those reasons were, what the notion that a fruitful relationship can develop without galled me was the report's utter disdain for Zionism via the agreement on every nuance of Middle East governing. In expressive "art form" of calumny. that vein, it's unfortunate the assembly deferred, rather than The original report cited "Kairos," a Palestinian document adopted, a recommendation to bolster Presbyterian-Jewish describing Israel as evil and sinful. Kairos endorses divest- ment and boycotts and upholds armed resistance. Notably, the relations, which are fickle at best. Positive byproducts of the assembly included acknowledg- committee generating the report invited little input from the ment by Shive's study committee that the approved revisions organized Jewish community. Rejecting the more provoca- enhanced the assembly report and by pro-Israel groups that tive aspects of Kairos doesn't make up for why it was even Christian sympathy for the Palestinians is deeply seated. included for consideration. What now? The PC-USA change of heart avoided a Presbyterian-Jewish The Jewish Council for Public Affairs got a dozen national rift. But the change sidestepped the matter of the Church know- Jewish groups to sign a statement lauding the assembly for ing so little about the driving forces of the Middle East. The unrevised report made selective use of sacred texts, history and shaping "a more inclusive voice." The Presbyterian Church (USA), however, hasn't absolved itself. It must continue to current events to craft an alarming narrative against Israel. hone its understanding of Israeli-Palestinian relations; and it cannot understate Israel's security concerns. Building Blocks Meanwhile, we Jews can't be so defensive about hostil- Before the historic vote, Ron Shive, who chaired the PC-USA ity toward Israel's Netanyahu government that we weaken Middle East Study Committee, released a letter urging assem- our resolve to improve conditions not only for ordinary bly-goers to accept changes addressing some of the concerns Palestinians, but also renewed peace talks. ❑ broached by the Jewish community. The letter acknowledged lingering differences of opinion, but noted "by God's grace, we have discovered that together, we may actually be more 0 How significant is the Presbyterian 1— ci faithful and effective in seeking peace with justice for both Church (USA)'s shifting course? ti) Palestinians and Israelis than separately" I— The president of the Church's Auburn Theological Seminary Z Z Why do some liberal Christian groups 5 0 a show hostility toward Israel? in New York, Katharine Henderson, played a significant role in recalibrating what was voted on; she co-authored the Pilates Sculpts Your Body Xtend' Chisels it Come to Equilibrium Studio where Xtend' Classes are $14 Reformer Classes are $21 Your Second Class is FREE call 248.723.6500 and use code iN 6405 Telegraph ■ at Maple & Telegraph buildings G & H visit www.equilibriumstudio.com to schedule your class online twitter: @equilibriumMl facebook: equilibriumpilatesstudio youtube: equilibriumMi . july 22 20:0 • 5