Oh My God- the movie

Very interesting how I learned about this movie. I was reading a post on people's magazine online (yeah, I do read this kind of stuff!) about the singer Seal. He explains how his kids keep him connected to God (click on the world Seal to link you to a video of this) and how he has chosen over the years to see God in people.

It turns out that he is not the only celebrity that will be sharing their own thoughts on God. Filmaker Peter Rodgers has taken upon the monumental task of documenting the views on God from a variety of public:  from multi-etnic and multicultural people to famous celebrities, showcased on a visually stunning and provocatived documentary named Oh My God.

- "My goal was to find out what this entity that goes by the name of God means to people." -Peter says.

I visited the movie's website and it looks very promising. I am looking forward in watching this one.

 The original premier of Oh My God was in Jerusalem on last July. Unfortunatelly for us in Jacksonville, Fl there is not screening planned for here just yet. It will be coming to theathers nationwide on Nov 13

(on selected cities only).

Repairing the world

It is incumbent upon us

To praise God

Who has formed all of creation.

To repair de world...

To bring us nearer to the day

That the world will be one.

From the Aleinu Prayer

Excerpt from the book Good Whispers by Karyn D. Kedar

Daughters for Life The story of Dr. Abuelaish - Mis hijas por la vida: La historia del Dr. Abuelaish

This is a very sad yet inspiring story. I read about it on the Common Ground News Service website, but before I continue I should state that my blog is not intended to be a window for any political or ideological idea, group or afiliation. I have a deep respect for every human being regardless of religion, color, ethnicity or gender. For the same reason, I expect to be treated fairly and respectfully.
I share the idea that no-one has a monopoly on G-d and that the only way to find peace is throught reconciliating our differences and tolerance.
I decided to post the following  story to support Dr. Abuelaish on his fight for peace, forgiveness and tolerance. The media does not do justice to the people who deserves to be heard.
If Dr. Abuelaish is able to talk about forgiveness in the aftermath of his tragedy, why can't we? May G-d bless him and all the people who have lost someone to any kind of violence and intolerance acts.

En espanol:
Esta es una historia verdaderamente conmovedora que espero sea un simbolo de inspiracion para todo aquel que la lea.
Deseo aclarar unos cuantos puntos antes de comenzar mi relato.
Este blog no es un escaparate que fomente de manera tendenciosa el seguimiento de alguna ideologia politica o religiosa.
Profeso un gran y profundo respecto por "el ser humano" sin importar de religion, color, etnia o sexo. Por lo mismo, espero ser tratada de una manera justa y respetuosa.
Creo firmemente que nadie debe reclamar un monopolio acerca de Dios. Asi mismo, estoy convencida que el unico camino que realmente nos llevara a la paz, es aquel que lleve a la reconciliacion y tolerancia de nuestras diferencias.

Mi proposito en compartir la siguiente historia a traves de mi blog, es el de brindar mi apoyo y admiracion por el Doctor Abuelaish en su valerosa y admirable lucha por la paz, el perdon y la tolerancia en el mundo. Los medios informativos no hacen justicia a aquellas personas que son dignas de ser escuchadas.
Dr. Abuelaish no solo habla del perdon sino tambien lo practica. Y esto a pesar de haber pasado en carne propia por algo tan inimaginable, como lo es la perdida de sus tres hijas en un mismo acto de violencia. Porque entonces nosotros no podemos intentar en concebir la idea del perdon?

Que Dios proporcione su bendicion a este hombre y a todo aquel que haya sido victima de la violencia e intolerancia.


Articulo editorial: Convertiré mi tragedia en plataforma para la paz



Tragedy in service of reconciliation
by Robi Damelin

05 November 200
TEL AVIV - The face of the conflict in the recent war in Gaza was indeed the face of Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. His call for help, broadcast live on primetime Israeli television, poignantly revealed the human tragedy of that war to the world in general and to Israeli viewers in particular.
Dr. Abuelaish lost three daughters and a niece in that war. Bessan was 20, Mayar was 15, Aya was 14, and his niece Nur was 17. He handled the dreadful calamity that befell his family with a rare dignity. His message to the world was completely free from the rhetoric of revenge. The fact that he used his tragedy to illustrate the madness of the conflict and to make a plea for reconciliation made an enormous impression on thousands of Israelis and must have moved even the most hardened of hearts.
Continue reading the story from the original post.

Planting the seeds of love

I do not think there is a more appropiated day to speak about tolerance other than today, specially after watching yesterday on the news, a video of the most recent Neo-Nazi rally that took place in Riverside, Ca (Intentionally, I will not link my blog to any place related to it).

So I decided to spread the word of Tolerance among my different classes today. I was very surprised to learn how little our children know about the meaning of the word Tolerance. It is evident that most students understand the word tolerant only in conection with the Holocaust, but it is still somehow difficult to identify a more general meaning.

However, I feel we were off to a great start.

Two important questions were brought up during our talk on Tolerance: how can you be tolerant with someone who is not tolerant to you? and how can you forgive someone who had comited any hate crime against you, your family and or your community.

We decided to take these questions home and bring up possible answers on our next classs. We are on a mission!

On my way to finding such answers, I came across a very special educational initiative  in Israel called Neve Shalom Wahat-el Salam
founded by Jewish and Arabs Israeli citizens to promote peace, unity and tolerance.

Neve Shalom Wahat-el Salam is a germinator of seeds of love. They are awared that they may not be able to watch and enjoy the fruit from the seeds they are planting, but are hopefull that perhaps their children will.
My search for anwsers continues....

Watch a video of the Neve Shalom Wahat -el Salam vill

Henry Landwirth: Holocaust Survivior, Philanthropist, a real life heroe.

"I love life. I shouldn't be here. By all rights I should have died. My whole life was a miracle. I feel it is my duty to give something back. You have got to give of yourself --not money but the essence of yourself, that is what makes life meaningful".
                                                                                                         
Henry Landwirth


I first learned about this extraordinary heroe on one school's Mitzvah (Good deed) trip to
"DIGNITY U WEAR", a Jacksonville, Fl based company and warehouse, who in partnership with important retailers and manufacturers provides "cost free" clothing to people in need nationwide.
Donners and volunteers are the main force behind this monumental task. But the main motor behind it is Mr. Henry Landwirth.
He learned first hand how it feels to be stripped of dignity and anything important and basic thing in life: He is a Holocaust survivor who like many other survivors, suffered the imaginable: at age 13 he saw his mother begging for food at a Nazi concentration camp. This was the last time he saw her. After surviving several killing attempts by German officers, he realized one day that he is still alive.
His survival story is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring. Years later, after immigrating to the USA he made a vow in making a difference in people's life. “I know what it means not to have clothes – to be stripped of dignity and to give up all hope." This is one of the reasons why in 2000 he founded the non profit "DIGNITY U WEAR" organization. This company has provided:

• Brand new clothing is distributed through a network nonprofit social service agencies, schools and other organizations throughout the United States:
• 5.7 million pieces of brand new clothing■valued at $101 million
• Has reached over 390,000 children and families in need

 
Henri's sparkle of life continues to touch people in so many different ways. He has founded other important and charity organization such as: Give Kids the World Foundation  and Hate Hurts.
You can learn about Henry Landwirth's inspiring life in his book: Gift of Life

MAKE A DIFFERENCE...One Jacket at a Time!

Dignity U Wear has a great opportunity to help 1,200 little boys look great in these beautiful sport coats. For $5 you can help us obtain and deliver to a child a brand new jacket tagged at $79.50.
One of our best donor friends in the apparel industry has contacted us about these jackets (sizes from toddler to 7) and asked if we wanted to purchase them. These are not seconds. They are absolutely perfect. For business reasons, they cannot be given away, but they can be purchased so cheaply we cannot say “no.
They are holding them for us for the next three weeks so we can raise the funds. Will you help us get them to children who otherwise would not have such beautiful, new clothing?
We need to receive tax deductable donations for 1,200 coats totaling $6,000. Please feel free to donate two or ten or 100! We will do the rest!
Thank you!!!
You can make your donation through our Website
You can also send a check to:
Dignity U Wear
136 North Myrtle Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
Attn: One Jacket at a Time




Give kids the World





Hate hurts: A lesson in Tolerance and Forgiveness.

Yasmin Levy and the making of her new album: "Sentir"

"Porque" -Why? by Yasmin Levy and Eleni Vitali

In this world dominated by intolerance, Yasmin Levy newest song "Porque" tells it all. I have always loved and admired this Israeli singer because of her artistic talents, her love for the Ladino language and for her personal way of embracing and sharing her sephardi culture to the world.
"Porque" is a remarkable song not only because it is sung in spanish (my mother language), but also because she sings it along with the great greek singer Eleni Vitali. I included the spanish and greek lyrics (if you can read greek), and I took the liberty of translating the worlds into english.
Unfortunatelly for us in the USA, Yasmin's newest album "Sentir" is not for sale on Itunes yet.


Porque

Este mundo profanado
Yo oigo el llanto de la tierra,
Gritos de pena,
Por todos lados
Ay ya no nos queda compasion.

Porque, porque la vida perdio su valor,
Porque se causa tanto dolor,
Tanta injusticia en el nombre de Dios.

Porque, porque los ninos dejaron de soniar,
Porque las madres no dejan de llorar,
Yo me pregunto como nos ve Dios.


English (Translated by Noemi Szoychen)

This world is so profane,
I can hear the earth screaming,
screaming in pain.
Everywhere;
There is not compasion left in us.

Why is it that so much pain is caused?
and so much injustice is done in the name of God?
Why have children stopped dreaming?
and why is it that mothers won't stop crying;
I just ask myself how can God look at us.

The Greek Version
Μια μικρούλα φωνή, ανάβει
μέσα στην έρημο τρέχει για να προλάβει
να μοιράσει το φως, σ΄ όσους μείνανε εκτός
σ΄ αυτούς που ξέχασε και ο Θεός.

Καρδιά, μες στο σώμα σου γύρνα ξανά
νιώσε πώς η πικρή προσφυγιά
ξεδιψάει με το μαύρο σου δάκρυ.

Καρδιά, μες στο σώμα σου γύρνα ξανά
τα αντίσκηνα πιάσαν φωτιά
που θα φτάσει ως του κόσμου την άκρη.

Learning Hebrew and Judaic studies in the 21st century classroom, is probing to be very engaging and fun for students and teachers as well. Here is a pick of some of our Religious School students during computer lab time.

The International Day of Tolerance

November 16 has been designated by the UN as the International Day of Tolerance.  Intolerance, stereotyping and prejudice should be taken serious. Education is our only hope to fight them.
I totally agree with the way Rabbi Menachem Mendel defines intolerance.

"Intolerance lies at the core of evil.

Not the intolerance that results

from any threat or danger.

But intolerance of another being who dares to exist.

Intolerance without cause. It is so deep within us,

because every human being secretly desires

the entire universe to himself.

Our only way out is to learn

compassion without cause. To care for one another

simple because that ‘other’ exists."

You'll be able to find excellent lesson plans and activities related to this theme here:

Teaching Tolerance: http://www.tolerance.org/

(Jewish ) http://en.morim.org/ActiveHoliday.aspx

(Quotes) http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_tolerance.html

The Museum of Tolerance
Understanding stereotypes

I will also be posting shortly 2 movies that teaches great lessons on Tolerance and you will be able to watch them enterely free online.

Live and Become

This movie is a masterpiece. It raises up questions such as Who are we? Are we where we are born, the language we speak, the color of our skin, our cultural context, the family we live with, the religion we practice, the friends we choose? Be ready to reflect about all of this when you watch it. You won't regret it.