American Friends of NATAL’s Post

40 days of Lent is a time for reflection. Israelites wandered 40 years. 40 symbolizes a time of transformation. In 1985, a year after starting The Fig Tree, I was a United Church of Christ delegate to visit East and West Germany 40 years after World War II. It was a time for remembering, repenting, reflecting, reconciling, renewing, restoring and rebuilding. As The Fig Tree embarks on its next decade, we have been remembering, reflecting, renewing and reimagining our life in the future with visions for new media. https://lnkd.in/g6jVh7b8

This list is nothing short of amazing. When done reading, here's a challenge: now make a similar list of Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian, Syrian, and Iranian advances and innovations that have changed the world for the better, or at all (other than terrorism and war...)

Perfectly stated. Nothing ignites polarizing sentiments like the Jewish cause. The oldest hate in the world - antisemitism - ensures that we are always under the microscope, always subjected to double standards that NO OTHER COUNTRY in the world has been subjected to. Ever. If you are reading this, are not Jewish and do not live in Israel I invite you to a simple mind exercise. Imagine that you live completely surrounded by counties that want you destroyed, have the ability to launch a rocket (or 1,000) ANYTIME, which forces you to build a bomb shelter under your house and to send all of your kids - male and female - to the army for 3 years with a real risk of not seeing them again…..How would YOU feel about that? And how would you react if one day, your family, neighbors, friends and/or co-citizens are attacked without provocation - children murdered in front of their parents and parents murdered in front of their children; women raped and mutilated in front of their boyfriend and husbands; families tied and burnt alive. And for good measure, 250 of them - babies and Holocaust survivors included - taken hostage. What would YOUR and your country’s reaction be?? A “measured” response? What exactly does that mean?? And there’s little we can do to change the narrative by so many who hate us because they will always find something else to hate us for. We are 0.02% of the world population yet have had an OUTSIZED influence on world progress - from scientific advancements to cultural influences, from innovation in technology to a stable (but imperfect) democracy in a region where authoritarianism is the norm. Not the Russian-Ukraine war, the atrocities of Sudan nor the plight of the Uyghurs, not the chemical weapons used by Assad against his own people nor the assasinations of Iranian civilians by their theocrats. None of those seem to produce campus protests, calls for someone’s destruction as a nation and a people, or for divestment. And despite the fact that our enemies are radical Islamic terrorists - who account for most terrorist attacks around the world - there still exists a lack of moral clarity that is truly hard to fathom. That is our plight. And we are still around after thousands of years of hate, attacks, assasinations and massive displacements, while so many of those haters have vanished into the pages of history books. #antisemitism #israel

From heritage and history to the here and very real now. Passover in our Lives. My blog in the Times of Israel https://lnkd.in/dFeaH-Xz

The fervent alignment of nations, either for or against Israel, is unique. Unlike other conflicts around the globe, which often elicit disinterest and lack widespread support or opposition, the Israeli conflict ignites intense global reactions and protests. This universal resonance suggests that the conflict involving the Jewish people touches something deeply intrinsic to the human experience. Why do individuals across the world, even in remote areas, hold strong opinions on this matter? I believe it is because the Jewish narrative throughout history addresses fundamental aspects of the human condition. At the heart of life's struggle is the internal conflict within each of us. It is the tension between advancing life's ideals at the expense of personal interests or pursuing personal interests at the expense of life's ideals. The Jewish people have historically advanced such ideals for the sake of advancing human nobility. These ideals are the bedrock of civilized society.

May the stars align for our nation's prosperity and freedom. Wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day from Vaastu Astro and Spiritual Academy. #VaastuAstroandSpiritualAcademy #drmanojbharti #pritykbharti #independenceday2024 #independencedayindia #independence #IndependenceDayWishes #indepencedayspecial

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I am a second-generation Italian American. My grandfather immigrated to the United States for a better life for his family in the “land of opportunity,” a huge risk all immigrants share.  My father, mother, brother-in-law’s father, Sam Yoshihara, and my father-in-law, Don Heath, all served in WWII.  They all embodied faith, took risks (real bullets, real death), and showed empathy in fighting against tyranny and oppression (both outside and in the United States).     Their sacrifices are a powerful reminder, 'To whom much is given, much is expected.' We are the beneficiaries of their sacrifices and faith. We must use these blessings to create positive change. Are we actively seeking positive change, or are we complacent? Are we willing to take the same risks our predecessors did to stand against tyranny? Are we empathetic to the struggles of others, or are we self-centered and inflexible in our viewpoints? Their sacrifice was for positive change—to improve the world for their families and everyone. On Memorial Day, we honor sacrifice, but the best way to honor sacrifice is to take action — in your faith (in God and country), embrace risk (look forward), and show empathy to others daily.  #MemorialDay #ItalianAmerican #Honor #Change #Sacrifice

My latest blog post on Times of Israel

The turning of the year is not the same as entering the promised land, but it does represent a collective “new beginning” in which our hopes, fears, and longings come to the forefront of our minds. In meditating on the people of Israel and God’s word to them, we learn what it means to approach newness, even one as mundane as a new year, with prayerful remembrance. 🔗 Read our latest blog on a new year and Deuteronomy 8, here: https://hubs.li/Q02fl1zF0

“My commitment to Zionism is unwavering, not as an endorsement of every Israeli government action, but as a pledge to the ideals of Jewish self-determination, justice and peace”. Zionism is not just a political movement; it is a symbol of pride, a beacon of hope, and a source of inspiration. It stands as testament to the power of self-determination, the miraculous journey of an ancient people who, after two millennia of yearning for their homeland, triumphed against all odds to reestablish their sovereignty. It’s a narrative unparalleled in history—a story of resilience, hard work, and the indomitable spirit of our people. It is the original decolonisation success story.