Traverse City Record-Eagle

Perspectives, by various authors

November 5, 2011

Perspectives: Dream of peace renewed

By Al Lewis, Local columnist ----

Shirley and I have just returned from the most incredible journey of our lives. With the Rev. Steve Cron, and 21 others, including a gifted Israeli guide, we went to Israel.

For most of the group it was their first time in Israel. We are Catholics, Protestants and Jews. The trip was sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Aquinas College as part of the Aquinas 125th anniversary celebration.

For 10 days we visited Christian and Jewish holy sites, explored archaeological locations and Israeli and Palestinian cities.

On the final day -- exhausted but still wanting to learn and understand more -- we listened to a Palestinian wife whose husband had been killed and to an Israeli father whose son was killed. These two people, Moira and Abraham, meet regularly at the Perez Peace Center to talk about ways to live beyond their pain, to recognize one another's loss and then to go out to schools to talk with children about conflict resolution.

So many emotions flooded each of us and so much mutuality was shared. Our guide told us there is no question there will be a Palestinian state. And each of us, in our own ways, envisioned two people with shared claims to a small piece of land. Each of us prayed for the peace of Jerusalem and for all the peoples of Israel.

We had come primarily to better understand our roots and shared history and values as Jews and Christians.

The streets were teeming with pilgrims and tourists from all corners of the Earth; people who could not help but marvel at all that Israel has become as a true melting pot, as a technological center of the world, as the fulfillment of so many dreams, prophesies and shared visions. And, in our group, each of us wanted more for the people who live in Israel.

I feel a type of gnawing and indefinable ache. "What if the peace talked about in Torah and New Testament and in the Quran was made real?" "What if swords were beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks?" In my heart and soul I see it and can see and touch it -- almost.

In dreaming of the state of Israel, Theodore Herzl is credited with saying: "If you will it, it is no dream." As I write I am praying and working for an inclusive and comprehensive peace; where each man and woman will sit beneath a vine or fig tree and none shall make them afraid.

I believe this dream is achievable even amid all the rhetoric and blaming. It can be made real.

Rabbi Dr. Albert M. Lewis is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth El in Traverse City, a public speaker and author. Contact him through the Record-Eagle, 120 W. Front St., Traverse City MI 49684.

Text Only