Embracing Israel/Palestine
by Rabbi Michael Lerner
A major modern conundrum is how the Arab/Israel conflict remains unresolved and, seemingly, unresolvable. In this inspirational book, Rabbi Michael Lerner suggests that a change in consciousness is crucial. With clarity and honesty, he examines how the mutual demonization and discounting of each sides’ legitimate needs drive the debate, and he points to new ways of thinking that can lead to a solution. Lerner emphasizes that this new approach to the issue requires giving primacy to love, kindness, and generosity. It calls for challenging the master narratives in both Israel and Palestine as well as the false idea that homeland security can be achieved through military, political, economic, or media domination. Lerner makes the case that a lasting peace must prioritize helping people on all sides (including Europe and the U.S.) and that real security is best achieved through an ethos of caring and generosity toward the other. As many spiritual leaders have taught, problems like these cannot be solved at the same level at which they originated-one must seek higher ground, and that becomes a central task for anyone who wants a sustainable peace.
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Eliyahu McLean is the director of the Jerusalem Peacemakers, a network of religious leaders and grassroots peacebuilders in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Eliyahu was initiated as a 'Rodef Shalom', 'Peace Pursuer' by Reb Zalman Schachter Shalomi.
Eliyahu's work with Palestinian Sufis is written about in the book "At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew's Search for God with the Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land" by Yossi Klein Halevi.
Sheikh Ghassan Manasra is the director of the Islamic Cultural Center in Nazareth, a center promoting tolerance and interfaith dialogue. Ghassan is an ordained sheikh, and an expert in Quran, Islamic law, philosophy and theology. He is the son of Sheikh Abdel Salaam Manasra, the head of the Qadiri Sufi order in the Holy Land. Ghassan lives in Nazareth with his wife and five children and has an MA in Arabic literature from the Hebrew University. Ghassan is a Fulbright scholar who taught about Islam at the Catholic University in Washington, DC in the fall of 2008.
Jah Levi is an ordained bishop of the Essene Church, a minister or the soga del alma church of Peru, and a card carrying member of the Native American Church. He is known worldwide as an adept facilitator of transformation and healing. His music continues to influence people with a powerful synergy of uplifting music and through provoking lyrics, truly medicine for the hungry and afflicted soul, spreading a message of love and unity for all beings.
Learn more about the Jerusalem Peacemakers at www.jerusalempeacemakers.org