Joints of view >> Send letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com Contributing Editor Editorial Presbyterian Tightrope Divestment call isn't popular, but it's still a revealing indictment. very time I think the largest Presbyterian The Church has every coalition in America seems ready to mod- erate its overarching hard-line stance I A, iv right to challenge toward Israeli government policy, a troubling new development intervenes. As a result, 111 °I, the Israeli restoring trust and improving dialogue between Presbyterians and Jews seems government. But ever distant; it's tough to have a meaningful n conversation when Israel is the implied bad KO 47: its bolting of guy in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The latest bubble (us P•) the peacemaking of concern comes in the decision of a Presbyterian burden to Israel is Church (USA) committee to resurrect a strident resolu- flat-out wrong. tion calling for divestment E from companies doing busi- ness with Israel — namely, Motorola Solutions, Hewlett- Packard and Caterpillar. Specifically, Caterpillar was targeted for, among other things, allowing its Israeli dealership to sell Caterpillar D-9 bulldozers to the Israeli Defense Forces and also provide mechanics to maintain them. Hewlett- Packard was cited for, among other things, selling hardware to the Israeli navy, outfitting the Israeli army with software and nurturing business relation- ships with "the illegal settlements" in the West Bank. Motorola Solutions came under fire for, among other things, continuing to equip the Israeli government with business lines. A Call To Battle The Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment will pitch the edgy call at the church's next biennial General Assembly (G.A.) from June 30 to July 7 in Pittsburgh. Passage isn't automatic. In fact, it's unlikely; the resolution is that divisive. That's one positive vibe. This matters because the Presbyterians are so influential within Christianity — and take no shame in painting Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip with a damning brush. In a statement following release of its Sept. 9 report, the committee indicated efforts to bring a shift in company policies or practices through dialoguing were fruitless, and there's no reason to believe that will change. "According to the assembly's prior directives and the church's ordinary engage- ment process',' reads the statement, "we have little choice but to recommend divestment:' Understandably, the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League registered outrage at the foolhardiness of thinking a divestment threat could advance Israeli-Palestinian peace. Peace condemned the report's authors for giving a "friendly ear" to "a small group of activists within the Presbyterian Church that has relentlessly sought to punish Israel" and for wanting "to find one party at fault in a conflict where all parties have engaged in positive or negative actions." The organization defined "activists" as a very small group made up principally of pulpit clergy more likely to support Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and east Jerusalem and less likely to support strong U.S.-Israel ties and relations between Jews and Presbyterians. In 2006, the General Assembly adopted a resolu- tion urging that church investments relating to Israel, the Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and the West Bank be limited to "only peaceful pursuits:' This resolu- tion overrode a 2004 G.A. vote to begin a process of "phased, selective divestment" relating to multina- tional corporations doing business in Israel. In 2008, the G.A. stressed that business activity solely engaged in peaceful pursuits furthermore must refrain from: "allowing products or services to support or facili- tate violent acts by Israelis or Palestinians against innocent civilians; construction and maintenance of settlements or Israeli-only roads in east Jerusalem and the West Bank; the Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territory; and construction of the Separation Barrier as it extends beyond the 1967 Green Line into Palestinian territory:' Reiterating its longstanding position, the G.A. in 2010 urged all cor- porations doing business in the region "to cease any involvement in roadblocks to a just peace." In this historical perspective, the only indication that the church isn't entirely anti-Israel is the men- tion that neither Israelis nor Palestinians should commit violence against innocent civilians. I do find at least a shred of hope in the G.A.'s 2010 and recom- mended 2012 call to continue urging corporations operating in the region "to seek proactive ways to promote respect for human rights, peace building and equal employment opportunity." A Different View New York-based JTA reported that a grass-roots organization called Presbyterians for Middle East Super Charged Theology What exactly is MRTI? Clearly, it's a theological overseer of faith-based investing. The Presbyterian - Two Oakland County congregations become partners via a joint operating agreement. W e're a shrinking, aging Jewish community racked by Michigan's sour economy, but still close-knit and responsive with an uncanny knack for adapt- ing to changing times. Take the innovative and successful endeavor that has elevated Temple Kol Ami, a Reform temple, and B'nai Israel, a Conservative synagogue, to national stature as an example of together accepting a challenge and embracing an oppor- tunity. The concept was simple: share building space through a joint operating agreement, but also collaborate on projects. The execution, as a year of doing underscores, has been phe- nomenal. It helped that Kol Ami congregants welcomed their former down-the-road neighbors with open arms. Kol Ami is situated midway between two larger Reform congregations, Temple Israel and Shir Shalom, along Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield. Led by Rabbi Norm Roman, it has a vibrant congregation of 340 families, but not one that's growing substantially. B'nai Israel is smaller with only 126 families, but it boasts a dedicated and involved core member group. A significant number of its members walks to shul on Shabbat and is well versed in religious tradition. With Jonathan Berger, Hillel Day School's rabbi-in-residence, providing leadership, B'nai Israel members only needed a place to gather. When Congregation Shaarey Zedek decided in 2010 to consolidate operations on its Southfield campus, the B'nai Israel membership found a new home at Kol Ami, with West Bloomfield Schools' Sheiko Elementary providing supplemental support. Kol Ami was a good fit - enough space for B'nai Israel ser- vices and greater numbers for religious, cultural, educational and social programming. The first year saw joint participa- tion in holiday observance, family events, social action, a book club, even planning an April heritage trip to Prague and Budapest. The two congregations are paying to renovate the Kol Ami social hall. This wasn't a case of financial necessity for Kol Ami. But having a paying tenant that could reduce costs, fully use the real estate and provide critical mass for programs certainly is a "win/win." The cross-stream aspect makes this arrange- ment special. The impetus was really a unique situation of shared need and shared opportunity. It's great to hear Rabbi Roman say that dialogue, respect and two healthier congregations have marked the year. This coming together reinforces in a heimish way that if there's creative thought, open-mindedness and a laser-focus on high-return benefits, fresh, exciting possibilities can, and often will, emerge. ❑ Presbyterian on page 30 January 12 s 2012 29