Prayers, A Call For Action And An Arrest At Kol Shofar Synagogue

The war between Israel and Gaza, and subsequent demonstrations against Israel's actions, prompted the Kol Shofar congregation to host a "Marin Community Solidarity for Israel Gathering" this evening, but not everyone was in solidarity.

One man was arrested for trespassing by the Tiburon Police, and according to Captain Dave Hutton, several more people were asked to leave the meeting by Congregation security officials. There was no explanation given for the removals or the arrest. 

According to Jim Geraghty of Marin Peace and Justice, the man who was arrested was identified as David Rubinson, although no one- including Mr. Rubinson- are quite sure why he was singled out.  A woman sitting near Rubinson said that a member of the Congregation pointed him out to security officials.

"The security officials told him to leave and then the Police came in and told him if you don't leave, we'll arrest you," she said adding, "He decided not to leave and he was taken out by force."

Outside, a few protesters greeted the congregants and others as they arrived for the meeting, carrying signs and chanting-

"Stop the massacre in Gaza, it's not good for Israel."

But the police far outnumbered the protesters and tight security was in evidence everywhere including the long line that formed while purses where checked and attendees walked through a metal detector.

Anna Rogers with Jewish Voice For Peace was waiting in the long line. 

"I'm opposed to the actions in Gaza," she said, "They [Israel] certainly haven't made it more secure."

Other groups not affiliated with Kol Shofar were also in attendance.  Reverend Carol Hovis, the Executive Director for Marin Interfaith Council was there.

"I'm here to listen and to learn.  I've been involved for years with my Jewish colleagues...and my hope is people will leave knowing the Jewish community is deeply pained by the suffering of the Palestinians as well as the Jewish people."

If there was any doubt as to the thrust of the meeting, that doubt ended as soon as congregant member Ron Berman took the mic-

"Tonight we're here to show our solidarity with the State of Israel."

He also went on to say-

"Sadly, we were told there were some who might try to interrupt this peaceful assembly.  So we invited our local law enforcement."

Congregant security continued to scan the crowd throughout the hour-long meeting.

One by one, Rabbis, congregant members, guests and even one woman from Israel took their turns at the microphone to pray, sing, call to action and ask for support for Israel.  Most of the appeals were laced with acknowledgment of the suffering of the Palestinians as well.

"Our hearts cry out in pain at the fear...the loss on both sides of the border."

"We all know war is hell and we profoundly mourn the losses, both the Israelis and the Palestinians."

However one speaker appeared to be almost militant in his support for Israel.  Presbyterian Minister, Doug Huneke, was even given a standing ovation before he spoke.

"I'm here because I care deeply, and because I love Israel and her people," he began, "I have a deep struggle with my colleagues who only have one side of the story."

Then he went on to strongly condemn anyone who showed support for Hamas and their Palestinian supporters stating, "Your actions support the terrorists."

Not exactly compassionate for a man of the cloth.

The meeting ended after Bar ben Joseph, a young woman from Israel spoke about her homeland.  She strummed her guitar and ended her song with these words-

"...but as long as you try to kill me, I will stand up and fight."

Israel, it seems, is very far from peace.

 

Comments

[Mindy Pines]

Doug Huneke did not make a blanket statement condemning anyone who showed support of any kind for the Palestinians as supporting terrorists. He said that you support terrorists when you don't condemn anything Hamas does.

[MoreMarin]

I consulted my notes on Huneke's presentation and there were references to Palestinians. Perhaps I misunderstood his intent within the context.

Although this was clearly an opportunity for the Jewish community to enlighten those who have differing opinions about the actions in Gaza, it didn't happen. No matter which side of the fence you fall on, this isn't a black or white situation.

Hearing the militant (and we stand by our description) approach from Mr. Huneke was at best a turn-off and at worst, ammunition for those who oppose Israel's actions.

In our opinion, this event was a lost opportunity.

[Douglas K. Huneke]

Dear Editor, My intention and my words clearly indicated an absolute distinction between innocent, non-combatant Palestinians and the terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and Al-Qaeda, and their patron states, Syria, Iran, Iraq and others. I spoke directly in support of those who were and are innocent, non-combatants, both Israeli and Palestinian. My intention and words strongly asserted that "Presbyterian clergy and leaders who say they work for the Palestinian interests, but fail to distinguish between Hamas and Palestinians, and who refuse to call for Hamas to disarm and come to the peace table, do not act in the interest of peace, security, and a just two state solution." Those are the people whose actions I identified as supporting terrorism. I did not make a blanket or generalized statement. In the quote adjacent to my picture you omitted my deeply held concern at two levels, "I am here because my heart, with yours, yearns for peace between peace-loving Palestinians and the citizenry of Israel; because I want [the three terrorist groups) and their patron states to stop war and terrorism." You may also want to reference my closing supportive comment regarding "'accommodating competing narratives' (Halevi); that our objective tonight is not being right but bringing the peace that is our greatest longing and most difficult labor." Thank you for the opportunity to clarify my views. I have 45 year history of active, energetic, and honored engagement in interfaith work, justice, and peace. Perhaps I was strident, perhaps I was militant in tone, but any related words were directed at terrorist factions and states that move the Middle East and the world farther from peace, and my church colleagues who support them. It must be said, no opportunity to speak candidly, to pray for peace, to express solidarity with Israel and the innocent, peace-desiring, non-combatant Palestinians is ever "a lost opportunity."
Sincerely yours,
Douglas K. Huneke

[MoreMarin]

We appreciate Mr Huneke's clarification and apologize for any misquote or if we took his comments out of context.
We have amended it to include the reference to Hamas.

We maintain that an event (billed as one of solidarity where efforts are to include people who do not share your position) does NOTHING to further solidarity if the only thing people hear is a militant, we are right-they are wrong diatribe without any self-reflection.

The Palestinian people continue to live in deplorable conditions. They are given a choice; live in misery, or die.

This is not a black or white issue. Both sides are to blame and there needs to be acknowledgment of that. Forums such as this, when you are hoping to illuminate and convince others of your position, are the perfect opportunity.

We stand by our assertion, that this was a lost opportunity.

[Jim Geraghty]

Kol Shofar and sponsors of this event lost an opportunity to learn. Instead they choose to broadcast and cheerlead support for a misguided military attack based on a false premise.

Nationalistic group think, similar to the US Iraq fiasco, only clouds the true issues that are often hidden behind the spin of special interest groups and those knee jerk reactions of people colluding for misguided and over-reaching revenge and group punishment.

The reality on the ground in this horrendous conflict tells the story better than words and shows clearly who is the occupier and superior military force and who are the victims of continued oppression.

Of course, there are those who will claim there is no occupation, to that I say call it what it really is, an open air prison.

In the end, Israel has a higher moral responsibility to the lives of the people they have complete control over.

That, coupled with expulsion of Jews wanting to attend the forum smacks not of efforts for peace and understanding but fear and loathing. A room filled with goons, a metal detector and a police presence larger than a hip-hop concert sends a chilling message, a message that mimics the treatment of Palestinians by Israel. It says "We are in charge and we will not tolerate 'YOU' or your ideas."

Many came to hear your point of view, but you wouldn't even let them listen. What fears you must live with.

Kol Shofar and the Israel invasion has come away from this event with a very tarnished image. Rev

Huneke's claims to a history of honored interfaith work falls on deaf ears when in the next sentence he exposes his disingenuous and biased views when he states "It must be said, no opportunity to speak candidly, to pray for peace, to express solidarity with Israel and the innocent, peace-desiring, non-combatant Palestinians is ever "a lost opportunity."

The implications are glaring!

Why not express solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians and innocent, peace desiring, non- combatant Israelis. They do exist, they just don't get play in US media!

Shame on this sham, and for those who mistakenly believed they were actually supporting an innocent victim, Israel.

I suggest you attend a balanced presentation, where people will be allowed to express differing views. You just might learn something.

Wednesday, January 14, 7:30 PM What Will It Take for Peace in Israel/Palestine? Two Marin residents will share what they experienced in Israel/Palestine during November and December, 2008. Anna Rogers went on a fact-finding tour with Interfaith Peace-Builders that included visits to Sderot, Ramallah, Jenin, Jerusalem and Bethlehem and extensive discussions with Palestinians and Israelis. Esther Riley participated in peace conferences in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, visited Hebron and spent four nights living with settlers. The talks will be illustrated with photos taken on their respective trips. The program will take place at 7:30 p.m. on at the San Anselmo Inn, 339 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. Admission is free. For information, visit www.14friendsofpalestine.org

Thank you for this article, it presented the facts of the evening with good and fair reporting with pictures that backed up the story. As we can can see, some of those facts are upsetting.

I support the end of all violence.

[Buff Whitman-Bradley]

Just about every event in support of Palestinians I have ever attended in Marin has had plenty of supporters of Israel outside and inside. No security guards to keep them out. No cops to arrest them. They are always allowed to speak -- often to spew blatantly racist nonsense (even from members of a prominent "human rights" organization). They may get booed, but they get to speak. The thuggish tactics employed at Kol Shofar on Monday night suggest a group of folks who know they're defending ethnic cleansing, state terror, and slaughter but don't want anybody to bring up that unpleasant fact. Out of sight, out of mind. I would suggest to Kol Shofar congregants that they read The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, by respected Israeli historian Ilan Pappe; The Holocaust is Over, by Avraham Burg, a member of one of Israel's founding families; the commentaries of Gideon Levy in Ha'aretz; and articles by former Knesset member Uri Avnery, which can be found through the website of Gush Shalom. Oh, and do come to local events in support of Palestine and the Palestinian people You won't have to pass through a metal detector, and you might learn something.

[Cynthia Whitman-Bradley]

Praying for peace while excluding the "other" from your prayer circle and while supporting a militant fundamentalist government somehow just do not seem genuine.

[Dave Kersting]

A Jewish state forced into multi-ethnic Palestine is violent state-racism as plain as it can ever get. All the violence we see, on both sides, is the natural image of racist conquest and resistance: this is WHY we were supposed to have learned to reject racism.

It is criminally dishonest to pay taxes that unconstitutionally finance the racist violence of ethnic-cleansing, and violent perpetuation of ethnic-cleansing, and constant new 'Jewish Only' settlements on stolen land: and then blame the problem on the relatively tiny inevitable counter-attacks by the indigenous victims of those enormous crimes against humanity. Nothing could be more disingenuous or more consistent with the dodges we expect from violent racists.

Americans must demand an end of all US funding for any policies of ethnic or religious prejudice, by anyone, in the Israel-Palestine conflict: the same as everywhere else.

The simplicity of that solution - anathema to the Zionist-supremacist definition of Israel as an officially 'Jewish State' - is what required Kol Shofar to use 'preemptive' violence against everyone who might have disrupted its misrepresented propaganda-event by calmly suggesting the inescapable good sense of real peace based on human equality.

[Dave Kersting]

Mr. Huneke's notion of a 'just two state solution' is terrifyingly misguided, coming as it does from an ostensible spiritual leader. I trust Mr. Huneke is a good man and simply has been bamboozled by constant Zionist indoctrination - like many others. Stop and think. A 'two-state solution' is clearly intended to perpetuate Jewish supremacy in most of Palestine - an unquestionably racist-supremacist approach - supposedly 'balanced' by an equally racist 'Arab' supremacy in the tiny remainder of historic Palestine. In view of the fact that violent racism and enforced perpetuation of ethnic-cleansing simply DO NOT WORK, the Zionist 'two-state peace' is an obvious trick to prevent normal talk of peace through equality - as opposed to an intrinsically unworkable racist 'solution,' requiring impossibly complex systems of time-dishonored segregation, which can never reach serious negotiation, and just happens to sustain the ideal circumstances for Zionist expansion, just as it has for over sixty years. Those who actually reject terrorism place primary emphasis on the horrors of massive, openly racist state-terrorism and give it attention proportionate to the relationship between racist invaders and ethnic-cleansers, versus the inevitable (albeit regrettable) counter-violence from the hideously brutalized indigenous men, women, and children. Mr. Huneke can restore his credibility as a good man simply by announcing his opposition to any US tax-support for any and all policies of official ethnic or religious preference or prejudice in the Israel-Palestine conflict: the perfectly obvious source of all the violence on both sides. The spiritual gain he would receive from this honesty and justice, in genuine service to his congregation, would more than counterbalance his fears: the slanders of 'anti-Semitism' he would suffer from the Zionists he is currently serving. Times are changing: it is increasingly difficult for fear-mongers to portray calls for human equality as 'anti-Semitic.'

[Jordan Livingston]

Even well-respected Jews and Israelis who attended this event were bullied and threatened if they so much as questioned the inexplicable ejection of their fellow community members, friends, and family.

This event demonstrated, cut-and-dry, the unmistakably fascist censorship necessary to maintain the misguided position that an expressly-Jewish state, or worse, TWO expressly-racist Jewish/Palestinian states, forced into a multi-ethnic region, is in any way defensible.

Any American who has completed a grade-school-level civics class has been taught that violence, racism, and ethnic-supremacy are categorically wrong. That our U.S. tax dollars finance such policies abroad is brazenly unconstitutional.

Our religious leaders are supposed to know this, clearly, and act as conduits for the truth to come to light.

[Greg Willians]

Shame on Kol Shofar.