June 2008
Monthly Archive
Posted by DanielCipriani on Mon 30 Jun 2008
The Blogs of Zion site is an open forum, which is open to any Zionist/Israeli/Jewish ideas and dialogue. The most recent entries (including my own) are stellar writings, yet I think I would like to veer for a second to the lighter side. Remember, all the content is pertinent yet in the famous words of Monty Python’s finale to The Life of Brian, ”Always look on the bright side of life……..(whistle).
Here us a clip from the late and great George Carlin - Zichrono Livracha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCz0-HY1TLU&feature=related
AND I added a clip from the Jon Stewart Show with his funny rants against Obama and AIPAC, enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy1dL2p1lJY&feature=related
Peace and always remember to laugh a little or at least smile.
Posted by DanielCipriani on Mon 30 Jun 2008
Modern history has put more of an emphasis on Human Agency, facilitated by recordings of personal testimonials made by individuals. This gives the individual a voice in the clutter of many who can make up the story and paint a clearer portrait of the event. Historians used this to their advantage in the last century recording a plethora of interviews, ranging from historical actors such as ex-slaves to Holocaust survivors. Every morsel of information is considered a diamond in the rough.
When I was interviewing for my thesis, Israeli civilian life during the first Gulf War, I had an intriguing experience with the interviewee who was a teenager at the time. Our conversations gave me a further depth regarding his kaleidoscope of feelings. Sheer emotions flowed without adult reservations and bias sounded rather clear. However, he gave me a sense of the inner clash between his childhood innocence and adult maturity. Understanding this I can say that these teenagers are frought with emotions waiting, as we all are, for their catharsis. These are more excerpts from the book “Israeli Kids’ Letters To Terrorists.”
“…this book is more than just a compilation of letters: 30 years from now it will have become a time capsule, a permanent recording of Israeli students’ take on terrorism and violence in the begining of the 21st century. It’s also about their dreams for the future… they desperately want peace, and they believe that peace IS obtainable. And if left up to them, the students would convene meetings with their counterparts, kids from all over the middle east to explore solutions…solutions which could lead to a lasting peace.”
Words from a presentation by John Shuchart
“Don’t you understand that we’ve had it, all of us (the Jews and I guess many of the Arabs too), with this ongoing war? We can’t take it anymore. I can’t take it anymore. Instead of living a peaceful life like other children my age all over the world, I have to cope with the terrorism that you are constantly inflicting upon us. Just stop it! You’re killing people; we’re killing people. Even if according to the “experts” one side won, tell me, what was won? Victory is not conquering a lot of territory. Victory is reaching a compromise that fits all, without all the killing.
Lydia, 10th grade, Sderot
Posted by Anton on Thu 26 Jun 2008
Kidnapping has always been a high profile crime. Whether in a glorious fictional tale such as the abduction of Helen of Troy, which led to one of the best known war legends, or whether a real case in history such as the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby in the early 1930’s, the assumption is that a kidnapping is an open ended situation where the victim has hope of survival, while those close to the victim experience a roller coaster ride with feelings ranging from desparate hope and expectation of seeing their loved one again, to helpless despair at their inability to control the outcome.
Case studies have shown that many kidnappings end badly, with the kidnapping victim being killed, whether the kidnappers get what they want or not. Currently, the govenment of Colombia is trying to figure out the best way to deal with the recent rash of kidnappings, a phenomenon that had plagued most Latin American countries for decades. However, the kidnappers in most of these countries have one thing in common. They all commit this crime in hopes of getting money from the wealthy families of their victims. There has been a sign of some improvement in countries like Colombia, where the govenment has cracked down in order to lower the amount of kidnappings. Brazil has seen a small decline in kidnappings due to a slight improvement to its ecomony, as well as a government crackdown brought on by a few high profile kidnappings.
Kiddnappings of Jews by terrorists are not a new phnomenon, but are quite different in nature from the kidnappings in Latin America. Most of the kidnappings are politically motivated and the kidnappers, who are mostly members of a terror organization usually demand a very slanted prisoner exchange. However, unlike a kidnapper motivated by money, these kidnappers do not get what they want ultimately, since the actions of their comrades end them up back in captivity.
So, in the case of Gilad Schalit one has to ask the hard question, what will happen in the future if Shalit is released in exchange for terroroists who go right back to doing the same things that can put them back where they are now? How do we deal with a kidnapper who’s goal is not concrete and is subject to constant change, and how do Israelis and Jews protect themselves from being kidnapped again? I have no clear answer for this difficult question, but would like to offer one idea on this matter.
In the case of a kidnapping ”gone well” the kidnapper has a clear goal and demands, and when they are met the victim is released. In the case of a kidnapping ”gone badly” the demands of the kidnapper are not met, or the demands or goals are changed. Therefore, I believe that when Israeli represntatives go to negotiate the release of not only Shalit, but anyone who’s been kidnapped, a concrete deal must be made, one that cannot be changed once agreed upon. If the kidnappers go back on the agreement and the kidnapping “goes bad” The Israeli government must not acknowledge the validity of the kidnapping, and must use all means necessary to not only resolve the Schalit case swiftly, but to discourage would-be kidnappers from acting. Letting this drag on is nothing short of torture for the Schalit family and we must make sure he does not fall into obscurity like Ron Arad, the Israeli pilot kidnapped in 1986, who’s exact fate is unkown to this very day.
Posted by DanielCipriani on Thu 26 Jun 2008
“The pen is mightier than the sword” is an aphorism coined by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839 for his play Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy. The term resonates because of the written’s profound influence on the world. Words and letters tell stories, plead for mercy, use terms of endearment etc. with undetermined potential.
John Shuchart compiled a book that is a set of letters written by Israeli teens. The book, “Israeli Kids’ Letters to Terrorists” is an amazing read that puts the reader in the mind of your average Israeli teens. The teens are writting directly to the purveyors and perpetrators of all their miseries, the terrorists. This is his second compilation book, the first dealing with letters from younger kids about the events on September 11, 2001, where he compiled letters written by teens directly to the terrorists. It is translated from the Hebrew into English and Arabic to span the readership and awareness. I have added the poetry but their words resonate and leave a permanent imprint in the mind.
“In these letters, students, many of whom live in a world constantly rocked by acts of terrorism, share with us their fears, their quest for understanding, even their solutions for peace. And what would any book with primarily Jewish authors be without incorporating some humor? As an example, one student writes to an imaginary terrorist, “so, you want 72 virgins? Go to www.jdate.com; my guess is that you will probably find more than 72 virgins and you won’t have to kill anybody to get them!”
Words from a presentation by John Shuchart
“Seven years of Qassam missiles fired at us every day. Believe me when I tell you we’re fed up and can’t take it anymore. Every Qassam that falls is met with growing apathy. Sadly we have just gotten used to living in this situation. Just try to understand us. I don’t know if you’ll really pay attention to this letter or whether it’ll just motivate you to continue firing the Qassams. It’s your decision. I just wanted to share with you a small part of what I am feeling.”
From me, a victim of your terrorism.
Avia, 9th grade, Sderot
Posted by DanielCipriani on Wed 25 Jun 2008
Talmudic scholars have designated the months of Tammuz, Av and Tevet as the months of peril and sorrow. Many terrible ordeals befell the Jewish people spanning the globe during these dreadful months. Kabbalists wrote that these are the three months where the spirit of Esau rules and the name of G-d is written backwards. There is also a long list of historical tsuris including the destruction of both Temples, exiles, expulsions, deportations and much more without getting into all the gory details.
Two years ago Gilad Shlit was kidnapped at the onset of these troubled months. The results were deadly for the Israeli troops killed in the ensuing war with Lebanon. Right now he is in the depths of some hole somehwere in the outskirts of the Gaza Strip. Somewhere amidst the sand dunes and depleted landscape Gilad is holding on to a glimmer of hope. We have no doubt that his resolve is steady in the face of his captors, but it has been too long. Way down yonder Gilad is waiting to go home, to the comfort which we all can take for granted. Bring him and the rest of the Israeli troops home
Our respected Rabbis and Kabbalists say that these three months are irregular because of too much or too little sunlight. The days deviate from their regular patterns causing slight mood shifts and erratic behavior. The imbalance causes us to have a shorter spark, ready to ignite with all this nervous energy, making our frustrations gush like hot lava spewing from an active volcano. In order to conquer these shorter fuses and unnecessary outbursts we must 1. focus on short term goals 2. avoid tempestuous carnal urges and 3. make sure all interpersonal communication is civil and calm. Upon entering this period we should focus on these notions in order to complete the goal of returning Gilad Shalit home. We must make the goal of his return short term, must avoid the temptation of making any empty concessions and make sure that our interlocutors are honest and fair. Like Jonah, who was swallowed by a sea monster, Gilad is stuck in a precarious condition. However, instead of three days it has been two years and the clock keeps ticking. We all need to be calm yet vocal in the name of Gilad Shalit and all the other troops who are missing and lodged deeply in our hearts.
Children recited Gilad’s book and is available here: http://www.isrealli.org/shalit/
“In addition, the Israeli Consulate has joined the initiatives on Facebook, in which users supporting the fight to free Shalit are asked to change their profile pictures to that of Gilad Shalit on Wednesday 25 June. A further initiative calls on users to change their status for the coming two days to “Waiting two years for Gilad Shalit.”
Posted by DanielCipriani on Mon 23 Jun 2008
 I don’t go to bars that often and am forced to queue outside even less. But the 10 minutes outside Villa Sokolov last Thursday did provide an opportunity to successfully test out a theory that’s been doing the rounds - that putting on your best English accent immediately gets you through the chaotic crowds and into the bar.
I suppose it’s based on the assumption that foreigners spend more money and add a certain sophisticated spice to proceedings. I’m surprised the bars haven’t yet noticed their mistake.
It reminded me of another time last March when a friend and I tried to get into the Israel - Estonia football match. Arriving at half time to a half empty stadium with two season tickets but for different gates, we were denied entry… until we switched into our mother tongue.
Suddenly, as fast as Garinim guzzling fans in Ramat Gan could shout ‘sit down,’ we were waived into the stands accompanied by smiles and smatterings of pigeon English.
Being a Diaspora Jew hasn’t always provided such a direct route into high rise Israeli society. A major aspect of traditional Zionism was negating the Diaspora experience and its powerlessness. Zionism rejected the ‘concealing and cowering’ Jews of Chaim Bialik’s ‘City of Slaughter’ in favor of the suntanned swimming Sabra admiringly mentioned in Amos Oz’s childhood memoirs.
It’s as if Zionism created a kind of binary existence; Israel good, Diaspora bad.
This theme was picked up at last month’s International Writers Festival in Jerusalem that I attended with my parents. Discussing the difference between ‘Jews’ and ‘Israelis’ with Nathan Englander and Jonathan Safran Foer, Israeli writer Etgar Keret humorously echoed Bialik’s poem explaining whenever he eats at ‘Jewish’ restaurants he fears a Cossack will come in and rape his wife! He also admitted that he left high school knowing every European town in which a pogrom took place but without realizing Kafka was Jewish.
Keret’s comments were made in jest. But they are indicative of a specific mindset – that the Diaspora experience was wholly negative; one pogrom after another leading to the Shoah.
There’s no question that many aspects of Diaspora living were not good for the Jews. Keret wondered whether the reason so many creators of comic book superheroes in the late 1930s were Jewish was indicative of the tension in their lives; the nerdy alter ego who ultimately saved the world reflected Jewish frustration of wanting to be heroic while ultimately lacking any political or military power.
Yet it’s also clear that ignoring Jewish society spanning two millennia – from the Babylonian Talmud through Spain’s golden age and Poland’s pre war intellectuals to the Jewlicious creativity of the Modern US Heebrew Tribe – overlooks central aspects of what it means to be Jewish.
These thoughts didn’t go through my head as Dov and I sat on ‘The Villa’ couches watching those who had chosen Israel over ‘Galut’ unsuccessfully try and pick up Israeli girls.
But I did wonder whether it was possible to break the binariness, to simultaneously appreciate the positive and negative aspects of Jewish life both inside and outside Israel; to recognize both Kafka and Kishniev;And to find something inbetween the Clark Kentesque Jewish nerd early Zionism spurned and the modern day Superman post Zionist Tel Aviv bars embrace.
Originally Written by Calev ben-Dor and posted on his blog site http://calevinthelandofmilkandhoney.blogspot.com/
Posted by DanielCipriani on Fri 20 Jun 2008
Kosha Dillz, the up and coming MC with a Zionist tint, joins up with a veteran from the Underground. Check out the post below thanks to hiphopsite.com, enjoy.
C-Rayz Walz and Kosha Dillz Team Up For “Modular Moods” Collaborative LP
It’s an album that breaks borders and pushes boundaries. Songs like “I Love Jews” and “Ariel Sharon” are packed with classic hip rock samples and party moving sounds. Boasting collaborations with Murs, Matisyahu and MF Doom between them, and gracing the covers of magazines such as Entertainment Weekly and Source Magazine and spots on MTV, the two artists are ready to take the world by storm.
As one of the original members of the infamous rap crew Stronghold, C-Rayz Walz has been a fixture in the New York hip-hop scene for years. He hosts tons of hip-hop shows and events, and has more charisma and energy than most rappers can dream of. But that doesn’t mean he’s not serious: he’s battled and beaten the top battle emcees in the world (including freestyle legend Supernatural), dropped singles that consistently make noise on the Billboard charts, has had a video in rotation on BET and was hand picked by Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan to open for him on his last tour. Walz has recorded songs with everyone from El-P, M-1 of Dead Prez, Jean Grae, Aesop Rock, and Insane Clown Posse. But it is ‘Freestyle vs. Written’ that sets him apart as a one of a kind emcee, flaunting his freestyle technique to the fullest.
Kosha Dillz is an upcoming Israeli American hip hop artist that has put the Zionist swagger back in being Jewish. A flashy pinky ring style and gold-star dress code using crowd moving beats and profound lyrics in Hebrew, English and Spanish to shift a person’s homeostasis, this unorthodox boom bap-ist’s knowledge of emceeing brings the pride back that you might have once lost. URB Magazine wrote that Kosha “presents a rarely seen culture clash in music. He voices his political opinions on foreign affairs and oppression with fresh rhymes. This makes him a universal voice..” Appearing live with everyone from Pigeon John and the Pharcyde to Jurassic 5 and Killah Priest, he has crossover appeal to the hardest of the street at underground rap shows, to the softest of hands at an easy listening rock show. Hard work has earned him a rite of passage like no other, being the only emcee to land himself on BET’s 106th and Park while recording and performing with Grammy Nominee Matisyahu.
Based in Brooklyn, NY, Modular Moods (and its sister company Shemspeed) is the perfect home for artists such as C-Rayz Walz and Kosha Dillz. The label is globally conscious, working with some of the most talked-about Jewish and Muslim acts in the world. Other acts on its roster include Y-Love, Diwon, Smadar, Balagan and Yuri Lane. The company’s (and, indeed, C-Rayz’ and Kosha’s) M.O. is promoting racial tolerance through music.
This soon-to-be-classic record was produced entirely by, 19-year-old Kentron Da Mastadon, who challanges the hip hop mold, armed with an MP of psychedelic rock riffs and jazz chops weaving the perfect backdrop for this Jerusalem Zionist-meets-Black Bronx ghetto aesthetic.
10% of all proceeds will be donated to Netivot Israel Louna Terror Victim Fund and to the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, an organization dedicated to strengthening relations between ethnic communities, headed by Russell Simmons and Rabbi Marc Schneier. (Press Release)
For more Info visit the Shemspeed site: http://www.shemspeed.com/index.php
For more of the Hip-Hop info visit: www.hiphopsite.com
Peace
Posted by DanielCipriani on Mon 16 Jun 2008
On the first three days of the Taglit-Birthright trip I was in Jerusalem. I was absorbing and ingesting the spectacular sights and sounds of this magical city. On the third day we were brought to the Herzl museum, where some of our most respected Israeli leaders and patriots are buried. Golda Meir, Yitzchak Rabin and many other notables are buried in the majestic facade of the museum/cemetary. Two graves stuck out for me because of their prominence and sheer magnitude:
The first is the grave of Binyamin Ze’ev (Theodor) Herzl. It is located on a large platform with a square slab of rock adorned by a large covering behind the stone. It is plain looking yet the weight of emotion and respect abounded as I stepped forward and instinctively placed a stone on top of the large stone marker. His grave shot a slogan into my mind, hopefully not sounding too cliche, that he was a “simple man with a not so simple plan.” He knew he was a key componant for the struggle and that the fight for the homeland would be an arduous undertaking. Still, amidst the hardship he always vocalized the concept, “If you will it, it is no dream.”
 
The second grave, or should I say area, that struck me was a collection of eight graves of notable patriots. Each marker seems simple with a slab of stone a foot high and a few feet wide with the names engraved with the descriptions of their valiant feats. Some of these graves are empty because the remains were never found and laid to rest. Amongst these graves one stood out with a photograph of a beautiful adorning the grave stone. This is the grave of Chana Sehesh.
 
Chana was born on July 17, 1921 to an assimilated Jewish family in Hungary. Amidst the rising anti-Semitism in her country she decided to embrace Judaism joining Maccabea, a Hungarian Zionist student’s organization. Chana immigrated to then Palestine in 1939, joined the Haganah in 1941 and enlisted in the British army in 1943. She was trained as a paratrooper to be used as an undercover agent in her native Hungary. Her mission was to serve as one of 33 agents who would be airdropped behind enemy lines to rendezvous with partisan fighters—they would aid beleaguered Jewish communities in Hungary as well as help downed British pilots. In March of 1944 she parachuted into Yugoslavia where she linked up with the local partisans. She hid in Yugoslavia until June when she crossed the border into Hungary and was immediately captured by Hungarian authorities and taken to a jail cell in Budapest. Chana was tortured in many malicious and ghastly in the hands of her sadistic captors. At one point they threatened the deprotation of her family to Auschwitz-Birkenau if she didn’t divulge her secrets. She held steadfast and refused to give up any information about her activities or comrades. She was eventually found guilty of spying and was set to be executed by firing squad. During her final moments she refused a blindfold, so that she could look her killers directly in their eyes. She was dead at 23 years old.
When we chant “for the next year in Jerusalem” we should follow through and visit one of Israel’s most distinguished landmarks. These are two of the many who made the dream a living and breathing reality, which is Eretz Yisrael.
Visit the museum website at: http://www.herzl.org.il/
Posted by Josh on Sun 15 Jun 2008
This past week there has been a rise in incidents of snakebites here in Israel. Nothing to be alarmed about, it’s apparently just that time of year. This morning I heard an interview with a 76 year-old kibbutznik from Degania Bet who was bitten by a snake over the weekend. She explained that she had just gone outside and was admiring the trees, when she felt a sting and yelled in surprise. Her husband, a 79-year-old former Palmachnik ran out and beat the snake to death. A passing neighbor, who was a nature expert, walked by and offered his assistance in dealing with the snakebite, and it the end she was taken to the hospital and treated. She was quite calm throughout and added that, being a nature lover, it’s too bad the snake had to die.
Is it just me, or does that story just make you feel all warm inside? These two clearly belonged to the generation that founded our country.
On the other hand, if this were a biblical parable, the snake would be our terrorist enemies and the lady who wishes they didn’t have to die would be…. left-wing socialists?
Posted by DanielCipriani on Fri 13 Jun 2008
I recently returned from a Taglit-Birthright trip and I made many friends, one was our medic/armed guard. His name is Moris Ohana and he is a extremely pleasant man who served with the famed Givati brigade (for more information on the Givati visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Givati_Brigade) until recently returning to civilian life. Moris is calm, cool and collected with a penchant for Israeli jokes spoken in his broken english and trying to understand the American witticisms. Moris lives in a little town called Sderot that we all know well, but you’d never know by his demeanor. Moris’s mannerisms, like most of the Israelis I mingled with, were nonchalant yet aware and alert in the same breadth. The admiration I have for people like Moris and the rest of the residents living in Sderot, as well as the surrounding areas of Ashkelon and Netivot, is unyielding and my resolve of support is stronger since I returned to Brooklyn, U.S.A. The bottom line is that our Jewish counterparts in Israel are very similar to us yet they live in unsimilar conditions. We should all make our support vocal through any medium, yet the best is to talk to these Israelis because many are eager to speak with us - we just need to open the channels wider. We need to inform our Jewish buddies that the news may seem bleak but once you are in the company of someone like Moris a serene sense of camaraderie flows through the mind, body and soul.
In a recent correspondence I asked Moris how he lives like he does and he replied, “úåãä àçé…àì úãàâ àçé äèøåøéñèéí äàìä ìà éùáøå àåúðå…òí éùøàì ùøã 2000 ùðä..” Traslating to “Thanks brother…don’t worry brother these terrorists won’t break us…the nation of Israel survived for 2000 years..”
Moris also sent me a link about the carnage in Sderot that I encourage all to watch:http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=13197444646&oid=8183664940
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