Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(135,637 posts)
Wed May 8, 2024, 02:46 AM May 2024

An Open Letter to Student Protesters: Shabbat Message by Rabbi Dan Levin

Dear Student Protesters:

I want you to know that I see you. I hear you.

We raised you to be feeling, caring, compassionate. We raised you to love your neighbor and to love the stranger. We raised you to never be silent while your neighbor bleeds. We raised you never to harden your hearts against the suffering of the oppressed. Your values are my values.

You see the suffering of the Palestinian people, and your heart breaks for their plight. Mine too. You can’t be human if your heart doesn’t ache for the suffering of innocent people.

I understand the allure of the power of protest. I understand the energy a community draws from each other when inspired to act for righteousness. It can be intoxicating.

But I am writing today because when we’re intoxicated we don’t see clearly. We act rashly without thinking, without understand the nuance, the details, without thinking it all the way through.

And you are too bright, too smart, too capable to act in this moment without curiosity. You are too old now to look at the world in childish binaries – assuming there only good guys and bad guys. You are too smart not to question all you are being taught to believe.

Because you are so gifted, with respect, I ask you to think a little harder, because whenever we take a stand, we have to know who we are standing with, and what we are standing for.'>>>

https://tbeboca.org/an-open-letter-to-student-protesters-shabbat-message-by-rabbi-dan-levin/?

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
An Open Letter to Student Protesters: Shabbat Message by Rabbi Dan Levin (Original Post) elleng May 2024 OP
Thoughtful and thought provoking. Raven123 May 2024 #1
Very well written . . . Richard D May 2024 #2
Could it be that dwilso40641 May 2024 #3
No Oct 7th, no current state of affairs. AZLD4Candidate May 2024 #4

Richard D

(9,309 posts)
2. Very well written . . .
Wed May 8, 2024, 10:43 AM
May 2024

. . . but I'm not sure about the "bright and intelligent" part. At all. I doubt those that are pro Palestine and pro Hamas will have the intelligence or ability to read that piece.

dwilso40641

(200 posts)
3. Could it be that
Wed May 8, 2024, 03:22 PM
May 2024

Hamas & the Palestinian people don't like living in an "open air prison".
Everything being regulated by bibi and his cohearts.
They (the IDF) are not looking for peace. They are stealing the land in the Gaza strip.
Look at the devastation in Gaza. 2/3rds, of the buildings destroyed, and they are not happy with that.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Jewish Group»An Open Letter to Student...