This letter is provided as opinion/commentary from the author. You can submit your own: editor@abq.news
This story also appeared in Commentary
Submitted by Iris Keltz, founder Jewish Voices for Peace, Albuquerque chapter
After a week-long truce in Palestine and Israel that gave people a respite to find food, shelter, and search for dead among the rubble, bombs are falling again. As of last Friday, the genocide resumed. Mind-numbing statistics cannot capture the horror. As of this writing, more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed including more than 6,150 children. Unimaginable devastation has been inflicted: ice cream trucks used as makeshift morgues; premature babies removed from incubators that no longer provided warmth, doctors operating without anesthesia or lights, bodies littering streets of concrete rubble, churches, hospitals, mosques, apartment buildings bombed. Over two million people have been living in “the world’s largest prison,” a land where basic freedoms are denied. It’s easy to succumb to feelings of hopelessness.
The best way to dispel despair is through action. On Sunday, Dec. 10, there is a Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) event where you can support the children of Gaza while listening to music, drumming, poetry, inspirational speakers, and be in the company of others who believe in social justice. Founded in 1988, MECA is a nonprofit that supports dozens of community projects for Palestinian children, including the installation of water purification units in schools throughout Gaza. Since the start of the latest emergency, they have provided assistance to families who have suddenly become homeless and procured medical supplies for hospitals and clinics.
December 10 is the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1949, it is a global response to the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust, a milestone document that has influenced legal, political, and social developments on global levels. It enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings—no exceptions. Unfortunately the document has no enforcement mechanism. Ushered into the world with the help and inspiration of Eleanor Roosevelt, the declaration will be read at the benefit.
Benefit for MECA; Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice, 202 Harvard SE, Albuquerque, Sunday, December 10, 2-4pm.
Musical Guests include Elizabeth Anglin, Blues and Folk Singer/Songwriter; Sheila Fox, Yiddish/Ladino Vocalist/Musician/Sound Healing; UNM Son Jarocho Collective. Bring a drum for the drum circle and your voice to sing along!
Palestinian-American, Tedx speaker, and educator Sandra Akkad will offer her unique perspective.
There is a suggested donation of $20. No one turned away. If you are unable to attend please donate go to notablehealing.com/contact. Note “Donation to MECA” on all checks.
Jewish Voice for Peace ABQ are sponsoring the event, along with Notable Healing and Southwest Coalition for Palestine. They can be reached at albuquerque@jewishvoiceforpeace.org; Southwest Coalition for Palestine; Notable Healing, notablehealing.com
Letter to the Editor: The Best Way to Dispel Despair is Through Action
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This letter is provided as opinion/commentary from the author.
You can submit your own: editor@abq.news
Submitted by Iris Keltz, founder Jewish Voices for Peace, Albuquerque chapter
After a week-long truce in Palestine and Israel that gave people a respite to find food, shelter, and search for dead among the rubble, bombs are falling again. As of last Friday, the genocide resumed. Mind-numbing statistics cannot capture the horror. As of this writing, more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed including more than 6,150 children. Unimaginable devastation has been inflicted: ice cream trucks used as makeshift morgues; premature babies removed from incubators that no longer provided warmth, doctors operating without anesthesia or lights, bodies littering streets of concrete rubble, churches, hospitals, mosques, apartment buildings bombed. Over two million people have been living in “the world’s largest prison,” a land where basic freedoms are denied. It’s easy to succumb to feelings of hopelessness.
The best way to dispel despair is through action. On Sunday, Dec. 10, there is a Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) event where you can support the children of Gaza while listening to music, drumming, poetry, inspirational speakers, and be in the company of others who believe in social justice. Founded in 1988, MECA is a nonprofit that supports dozens of community projects for Palestinian children, including the installation of water purification units in schools throughout Gaza. Since the start of the latest emergency, they have provided assistance to families who have suddenly become homeless and procured medical supplies for hospitals and clinics.
December 10 is the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1949, it is a global response to the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust, a milestone document that has influenced legal, political, and social developments on global levels. It enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings—no exceptions. Unfortunately the document has no enforcement mechanism. Ushered into the world with the help and inspiration of Eleanor Roosevelt, the declaration will be read at the benefit.
Benefit for MECA; Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice, 202 Harvard SE, Albuquerque, Sunday, December 10, 2-4pm.
Musical Guests include Elizabeth Anglin, Blues and Folk Singer/Songwriter; Sheila Fox, Yiddish/Ladino Vocalist/Musician/Sound Healing; UNM Son Jarocho Collective. Bring a drum for the drum circle and your voice to sing along!
Palestinian-American, Tedx speaker, and educator Sandra Akkad will offer her unique perspective.
There is a suggested donation of $20. No one turned away. If you are unable to attend please donate go to notablehealing.com/contact. Note “Donation to MECA” on all checks.
Jewish Voice for Peace ABQ are sponsoring the event, along with Notable Healing and Southwest Coalition for Palestine. They can be reached at albuquerque@jewishvoiceforpeace.org; Southwest Coalition for Palestine; Notable Healing, notablehealing.com
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