Comments on: Chicago Jewish Museum Cancels Israel Exhibit, Federation Presidents Calls it ‘Anti-Israel’ http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/ Essays on politics, culture and ideas about Israeli-Arab peace and world music Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:20:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Judith Grayson, nyc http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-103699 Judith Grayson, nyc Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:26:20 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-103699 [deleted for multiple violations of comment rules] [deleted for multiple violations of comment rules]

]]> By: Howard Cort http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101351 Howard Cort Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:35:05 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101351 This high-quality, even award-winning museum exhibit, was truly educational-- and not only for Jews, but for Christians and Muslims, as well-- the two other interal parts of the Abrahamic tradition. I would also guess that word was beginning to spread among the larger community, and even beyond the boundaries of the three Abrahamic faiths, about this exhibit. I suspect there already had been an increase in non-Jewish attendance at the Spertus facility, in addition to growing Jewish attendance. The decision to close the museum was a step toward (1) reducing the interaction of various religious ; (2) reducing fuller understanding of the rich and varied Jewish heritage, by Jews and non-Jews, alike; and (3) toward greater self-isolation and fearful engagement by the overall Jewish community with the wider public and world. Thank you for promoting discussion of this important topic. This high-quality, even award-winning museum exhibit, was truly educational– and not only for Jews, but for Christians and Muslims, as well– the two other interal parts of the Abrahamic tradition. I would also guess that word was beginning to spread among the larger community, and even beyond the boundaries of the three Abrahamic faiths, about this exhibit. I suspect there already had been an increase in non-Jewish attendance at the Spertus facility, in addition to growing Jewish attendance.

The decision to close the museum was a step toward (1) reducing the interaction of various religious ; (2) reducing fuller understanding of the rich and varied Jewish heritage, by Jews and
non-Jews, alike; and (3) toward greater self-isolation and fearful engagement by the overall Jewish community with the wider public and world.

Thank you for promoting discussion of this important topic.

]]> By: Lenore Holt-Darcy http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101333 Lenore Holt-Darcy Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:36:23 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101333 Dissent is a cornerstone of a free society, While such freedoms may be uncomfortable, ruffle our beliefs, personally offensive or just controversial, it is the price we pay to live in an open democratic society. Anytime voices are muted by banning books, refusing to display artwork or closing museum exhibits, we all loose. We loose the opportunity to dialogue about an issue, interact, with different points of view or just challenge our own beliefs. It is with great sadness that I read in the June 21, 2008 Chicago Tribune that the Spertus Institute Board of Trustees elected to prematurely shutter the “Imaginary Coordinates”. The exhibit tried to bring together various viewpoints about the concept of a holy land and what that means to Christians, Jews and Palestinians. Juxtaposed with 500 year old biblical maps were cultural items and contemporary Israeli and Palestinian artists. All expressed their perspective of the struggles for territory and space; the heart of the Mid East conflict. It is most unfortunate that the Board of Trustees bowed to the pressures of some of its vocal constituents who view anything not pro-Israel: as overtly anti- Israel. The two are not the same. Either sentiment affords no middle ground. These viewpoints are extreme. The exhibit demonstrated that there is a vast expanse in the middle geography that should be explored. The exhibit clearly demonstrated the complexity of the issues involved in the Middle East. If peace is to be achieved, it can only be done by letting go of the litany of past wrongs. Both sides need to move towards new solutions that may very well reside in that very same middle ground geography. We cannot get there- if we shutter discussion. We do not honor the Jewish tradition of learning, debate and dialogue, which is as old as the Torah itself. We do not honor the open society that American is and that Jews relish, when we censor information we do not agree with or like. Dissent is a cornerstone of a free society, While such freedoms may be uncomfortable, ruffle our beliefs, personally offensive or just controversial, it is the price we pay to live in an open democratic society. Anytime voices are muted by banning books, refusing to display artwork or closing museum exhibits, we all loose. We loose the opportunity to dialogue about an issue, interact, with different points of view or just challenge our own beliefs.

It is with great sadness that I read in the June 21, 2008 Chicago Tribune that the Spertus Institute Board of Trustees elected to prematurely shutter the “Imaginary Coordinates”. The exhibit tried to bring together various viewpoints about the concept of a holy land and what that means to Christians, Jews and Palestinians. Juxtaposed with 500 year old biblical maps were cultural items and contemporary Israeli and Palestinian artists. All expressed their perspective of the struggles for territory and space; the heart of the Mid East conflict.

It is most unfortunate that the Board of Trustees bowed to the pressures of some of its vocal constituents who view anything not pro-Israel: as overtly anti- Israel. The two are not the same. Either sentiment affords no middle ground. These viewpoints are extreme. The exhibit demonstrated that there is a vast expanse in the middle geography that should be explored.

The exhibit clearly demonstrated the complexity of the issues involved in the Middle East. If peace is to be achieved, it can only be done by letting go of the litany of past wrongs. Both sides need to move towards new solutions that may very well reside in that very same middle ground geography.

We cannot get there- if we shutter discussion.

We do not honor the Jewish tradition of learning, debate and dialogue, which is as old as the Torah itself. We do not honor the open society that American is and that Jews relish, when we censor information we do not agree with or like.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101329 Lisa Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:56:05 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101329 Richard & Norman, you make me blush! But seriously, your comments and this wonderful blog are inspiring and we need to join together with other like-minded folks and continue to make our voices heard. Peace, Lisa Richard & Norman, you make me blush! But seriously, your comments and this wonderful blog are inspiring and we need to join together with other like-minded folks and continue to make our voices heard.
Peace,
Lisa

]]> By: Richard Silverstein http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101326 Richard Silverstein Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:58:56 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101326 @Rupa Shah: I was talking about those pro Israel Jews who made the decision to cancel the exhibit, not all Chicago Jews. I was also criticizing the temerity of this narrow group deciding on behalf of the rest of the community that the exhibit was too dangerous for them to see. @Rupa Shah: I was talking about those pro Israel Jews who made the decision to cancel the exhibit, not all Chicago Jews. I was also criticizing the temerity of this narrow group deciding on behalf of the rest of the community that the exhibit was too dangerous for them to see.

]]> By: Norman Weinstein http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101325 Norman Weinstein Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:43:59 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101325 Sorry about that mazeltmazel tof. Please consider it a gracious double “mazel’, not a typo. Sorry about that mazeltmazel tof. Please consider it a gracious double “mazel’, not a typo.

]]> By: Norman Weinstein http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101324 Norman Weinstein Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:40:17 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101324 I’d like to add to Richard’s compliment on Ms. Kosowski eloquent and courageous words my own. What a very refreshing and succinct statement which I, for one, wish everyone in and outside the Israel über alles camp could read. Each Thursday my wife and I receive a copy of The Jewish Week, a mostly centrist publication well known, I believe, by Jews throughout the country. Interesting how of late it seems to be moving ever more and more in a right-wing political direction in its letters to the editor, its editorials and various byline statements. In the most recent issue we read how the words of that freaky end-of-days con man, Reverend Hagee, regarding Hitler’s essentially being God’s tool, should be quite acceptable to Jews since said words are not unlike those delivered by certain of the Jewish prophets. All this claimed, of course, because the porcine Mr. Hagee, awash in bloody theological vituperations, has directed millions of dollars and other kinds of support to that beleaguered little democracy struggling for survival against a gang of murderous thugs also laying claim to God’s own land. Etc. And of course candidate Obama is receiving his share of darts from that publication for having bent only one knee before AIPAC. Ms. Kosowski has stated what perhaps has “oft been thought/But ne’er so well expressed”, and I can only hope that a sentiment such as hers will help serve to embolden those people to speak out, Jews and otherwise, who regard Israel highly but also condemn her brutal occupation and land-grabbing, her military excesses and warmongering, her seeming indifference to becoming yet another pariah nation. I suspect that the majority of American Jews still hold consistently liberal values, including those in their judgment of Israel and its policies, but its only through heeding the wise and courageous example expressed in Ms. Kosowski’s words will that majority feel brave enough to stand up, express their true opinions, and be counted among those who believe in Israel and real justice at the same time. Too many good people continue to don a self-protective camouflage of silence. Would that it were otherwise. Thank you, Ms. Kosowski, and mazeltmazel tof on your forthcoming marriage! I’d like to add to Richard’s compliment on Ms. Kosowski eloquent and courageous words my own. What a very refreshing and succinct statement which I, for one, wish everyone in and outside the Israel über alles camp could read. Each Thursday my wife and I receive a copy of The Jewish Week, a mostly centrist publication well known, I believe, by Jews throughout the country. Interesting how of late it seems to be moving ever more and more in a right-wing political direction in its letters to the editor, its editorials and various byline statements. In the most recent issue we read how the words of that freaky end-of-days con man, Reverend Hagee, regarding Hitler’s essentially being God’s tool, should be quite acceptable to Jews since said words are not unlike those delivered by certain of the Jewish prophets. All this claimed, of course, because the porcine Mr. Hagee, awash in bloody theological vituperations, has directed millions of dollars and other kinds of support to that beleaguered little democracy struggling for survival against a gang of murderous thugs also laying claim to God’s own land. Etc. And of course candidate Obama is receiving his share of darts from that publication for having bent only one knee before AIPAC. Ms. Kosowski has stated what perhaps has “oft been thought/But ne’er so well expressed”, and I can only hope that a sentiment such as hers will help serve to embolden those people to speak out, Jews and otherwise, who regard Israel highly but also condemn her brutal occupation and land-grabbing, her military excesses and warmongering, her seeming indifference to becoming yet another pariah nation. I suspect that the majority of American Jews still hold consistently liberal values, including those in their judgment of Israel and its policies, but its only through heeding the wise and courageous example expressed in Ms. Kosowski’s words will that majority feel brave enough to stand up, express their true opinions, and be counted among those who believe in Israel and real justice at the same time. Too many good people continue to don a self-protective camouflage of silence. Would that it were otherwise. Thank you, Ms. Kosowski, and mazeltmazel tof on your forthcoming marriage!

]]> By: Richard Silverstein http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101321 Richard Silverstein Sun, 22 Jun 2008 04:46:55 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101321 <p>@Lisa Kosowski:</p> What a wonderful comment, Lisa. Thank you for it. You are dead on accurate. @Lisa Kosowski:

What a wonderful comment, Lisa. Thank you for it. You are dead on accurate.

]]> By: Richard Silverstein http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101320 Richard Silverstein Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:29:22 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101320 @Bill Pearlman: Mark, thanks for reminding me that I now have some new tools to force Bill's comments into moderation. You'll prob. be reading even less of him than you have in the past. BTW, Bill's the guy who advised the Israeli authorities they should have killed Norman Finkelstein instead of merely banned him. And as for you poor cretin, Bill. I wrote a Comment is Free column about Naveed Haq's mistrial. I've written five posts about the attack including several that referred to Pam Waechter (you didn't even bother to spell her name right). And what does any of this have to do with the Spertus Museum? @Bill Pearlman: Mark, thanks for reminding me that I now have some new tools to force Bill’s comments into moderation. You’ll prob. be reading even less of him than you have in the past. BTW, Bill’s the guy who advised the Israeli authorities they should have killed Norman Finkelstein instead of merely banned him.

And as for you poor cretin, Bill. I wrote a Comment is Free column about Naveed Haq’s mistrial. I’ve written five posts about the attack including several that referred to Pam Waechter (you didn’t even bother to spell her name right).

And what does any of this have to do with the Spertus Museum?

]]> By: Mark Goldman http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2008/06/21/chicago-jews-force-museum-to-close-israel-exhibit/#comment-101319 Mark Goldman Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:54:45 +0000 http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/?p=3198#comment-101319 Don't you ban trolls like Bill Pearlman? People like him make reading this site somewhat unpleasant. (Much like they do to the world in general!) Don’t you ban trolls like Bill Pearlman? People like him make reading this site somewhat unpleasant. (Much like they do to the world in general!)

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