Today, Brenda Bentz died. I discovered this via an e-mail sent to me, which I read during the intermission of my children’s school play. I can’t think of more cognitive dissonance than that. How do you contemplate death, even of such a beloved person, in the midst of a school musical? But somehow, I imagine Brenda smiling at me and saying: “That’s OK, there’s always time to think of me. You think of your kids first and enjoy the play.”
Brenda was a powerhouse of the Seattle Christian peace community. She was a force of nature, but not through a dominating personality or overwhelming energy. She soothed. She massaged. But then she carried on to her goal and invariably achieved it.
She had an ego, but nevertheless she was modest. She was content to work in the background and never needed a megaphone or to shine in the spotlight. You can see precisely that in the accompanying photo of Imam Rauf at the Islamophobia conference. She sits in the background typically smiling her beatific smile enjoying what she had wrought.
She knew everyone. Everyone respected her. When she said something was important everyone knew it was and acted accordingly to make it happen. She also possessed the massive optimism characteristic of the best of the Christian community. She worked for justice with the conviction that it would come.
Brenda and I were a good pair because where I was provocative she would be tempered. Where I chafed, she smiled. Where I complained, she, to use a Yiddish word, kvelled. I don’t mean to make her sound like a Pollyanna. She wasn’t. She simply had the power to get things done and that is a massively important quality when you’ve devoted your life to social justice as she and I have.
We would enjoy lunch together at our favorite spot, Vios at Third Place Books in Ravenna. There, I would hold forth on whatever big issues I was writing about in my blog and we would inspire each other to take on the projects on which we partnered.
I once joked with her that through her I was welcomed to speak in the august St. Mark’s Cathedral, when I would never have been offered such an opportunity in my own synagogue. For such gifts, I was profoundly grateful to her.
Until I met Brenda, my blog had an international presence but hardly any in Seattle. It was only through her that I was offered an opportunity to make myself and my views known to local audiences. It was through Brenda I was able to reach out from my Jewish background and make common cause with her Christian peace activist community. It was through Brenda that I met so many local Muslims like Jeff Siddiqui and others. This was again another profound gift she offered.
We worked together on at least three community programs: one after the Mavi Marmara massacre, an Islamophobia conference, and one about the Arab Spring. As a blogger and activist, I’m used to people ignoring my pleas for action. That never happened when Brenda was involved. It never ceased to amaze me that these events drew audiences in the hundreds. She had some sort of magic that lent gravitas to everything she touched.
Brenda touched all of us. I hope we can carry on her legacy. It will be a huge task.
I close with some reflections by my friend, Jeff Siddiqui:
Brenda had a keen sense of justice and definite opinions, once she would arrive at them. She was never shy about voicing her thoughts if she felt a wrong was being done.
She was a good friend and a doting mother and grandmother. We would go for coffee or lunch every once in a while and she never failed to give me the latest news about her children and her grandchildren, leaving me with the impression that every one of them was a wonderful person; I have no doubt that they are.
I pray that God is merciful towards her and allows her a place in Heaven.
Goodbye Brenda, I will miss you.
thank you! you are absolutely right about what my mom would have said!
I hope you enjoyed the play!
thank you for the kind words!
erik
brendas son
Erik: Your mom was a gift as I’m sure you know.
I am sorry, Richard. And my condolences. Thank you for sharing these precious words that remind us of so much that is good. May the meek inherit the earth.
What a loss. I had the fortune of getting to know Brenda a bit, less than you Richard, and she was an inspiring woman and a role model in activism.
Richard, can you find out if and when memorial services are held, etc.?
Thank you and God bless,
Assaf
Brenda’s funeral is at:
10:30 Friday morning, May 25th,
at the chapel at Saint James Cathedral.
804 – 9th Avenue · Seattle, Washington 98104
Brenda’s memorial service is at:
May 25th, Friday evening 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saint Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 – 10th Ave E., Seattle
and will take place in Bloedel Hall (South end entrance)
Thank You Brenda,
for allowing us sharing Your life. You were a blessing and could also be a nag. But that`s what life is for.
In deep sorrow,
Claus Kiesewetter, Coburg, Germany
Foster-Son
De mortuis nil nisi bene
Claus!! <3
Hi Carla,
except for hawii we met several times.
I think we need some updates.
Love! Claus
Yes, we sure do. Do you have a facebook account? If not then wordsmyther@msn.com would reach me. (or just make one! Instant photo update explosion)
Love, Carla
Thank you for this article Assaf. It’s clear that you knew her well. She would love this tribute. I know I do.
Carla
Brendas Daughter
Richard. I met you with our sabeel conference two years ago. I have known Brenda since 1979 and have a profound respect for her ability to get things done. Thank you for your tribute. Brenda was and will continue to influence the talk and action for peace in the middle east. Dick toll
Hi Dick Toll.. good to see you. 🙂
In the name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful
Dear Bishop Greg Rickel and Rev David Mesenbring,
On behalf of ZAINAB (as) organization of Greater Seattle, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the death of Brenda Bentz. Brenda was a courageous and hardworking woman who worked selflessly to help the poor and oppressed. She was not afraid to raise her voice against injustice and was instrumental in raising awareness about the injustices of Zionists against innocent civilians. Her last letter to our organization was about her illness and in there too she encouraged all to continue to fight Islamophobia.
The ZAINAB (as) organization is honored to have worked with her and the church on several occasions. I hope the zeal and efforts of Brenda to bring our centers together to collectively fight injustice will continue.
Please pass on my sincere condolences to all of the respectable members and neighbors of St. Mark’s Cathedral and let them know that we here at ZAINAB (as) Center share your loss.
Sincere condolences,
Syed M. A. Ayleya
President, ZAINAB (as) Organization
Her husband was affilated with the US Office of War information so he was well placed to have access to original material.
RIP Brenda, and thank you for everything you did for the Palestinians.
http://wallwritings.me/2009/12/01/tom-friedman-sounds-the-alarm-the-muslims-are-coming/
My husband Tom McFadden was head of the US Office of War information for Syria/Lebanon from 1943 to 1953. His job from 1943 to 1947 was to monitor stories about the Middle East in local Arabic papers and in the US. He tried valiantly to get information about what was happening to Palestinians into US papers. He was unable to do so.
Brenda was a true inspiration!!! Her spirit will live on in service, prayer, and union. Love, hope, and profound peace my friend!
Thank you for lighting up my life.