What's New? –
Alerts, Urgent Actions & Other Miscellaney
What's New? you ask. Well, here are the haps. And, thanks
for dropping in!
Subject: Hello from Managua!
From: Jill Winegardner
Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 21:18:41 -0800
Dear friends,
I am sorry to be late in letting you know of Dorothy's victory in
Nicaragua. You can look at the messages you missed, and a wonderful
picture of Dorothy, on the website www.peacehost.net/Dorothy,
and you'll find the latest update @:www.peacehost.net/Dorothy/update.html.
Contributions to help defray the legal expenses are needed. See the end
of the article for details.
in peace,
Carolyn
- Subject: Ordination of men
Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2000 16:48:20 -0700
From: Joan MacIntyre
TEN REASONS WHY MEN SHOULD NOT BE ORDAINED
1. Men are too emotional. Their conduct at sporting events proves this.
2. A man’s place is in the military.
3. Some men are so handsome, they will distract women worshipers.
4. Male physiology indicates that men are more suited to tasks like
chopping down trees, unearthing rocks, and wrestling with wild animals.
It would be ‘unnatural’ for men to do other forms of work.
5. In the New Testament, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. His
poor judgment and lack of faith represent the character of his
gender. This justifies the subordinate position all men should take in
matters of spiritual formation.
6. Men are overly prone to violence. "Real" men prefer to settle
disputes with immature displays of prowess and domination. Thus they
make poor role models and are dangerously unstable leaders.
7. An ordained minister nurtures the congregation. Nurturing is not a
traditional male role. Through history, women have proven more skilled
at nurturing and more naturally attracted to it. This makes women the
obvious choice for ordination.
8. In genesis, man was created before woman, obviously as a prototype.
Thus men represent an experiment. Women represent the crowning
achievement of God’s intent for humanity.
9. For men who have children, the duties of the church might distract them from their responsibilities as fathers.
10. Men can find meaningful church roles without being ordained. They
can sweep sidewalks, repair the roof, and maybe even lead portions of
worship on Father’s Day. Embracing such traditional roles, they can
still be important in the life of the church.
MidEast Citizen Diplomacy
PO Box 17 Indianola, Washington 98342 USA
phone: 360/297-2280 fax: 360/297-6563
Dear Friends,
We would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word about these
upcoming delegations. Please forward this e-mail announcement to appropriate
lists, print the information in your newsletter if you have one, and download
our flyer
from our website to post in your community.
With thanks - Leah Green, Director, MECD
Mid-East Citizen Diplomacy
announces 3 upcoming
Compassionate Listening Delegations
1. WEST BANK, ISRAEL, GAZA...March 12 - 26, 2001
2. Youth Delegation! WEST BANK, ISRAEL, GAZA... July 2001
3. SYRIA & LEBANON...October 2 - 16, 2001
“Only governments can write peace treaties, but only human beings–citizens
outside government–can transform conflictual relationships between people
into peaceful relationships.” -Hal Saunders, former Assitant Secretary of
State for Near Eastern Affairs,
in A Public Peace Process
An invitation to be of service...
The Compassionate Listening project provides an opportunity to advance
reconciliation, help build the international constituency for Mid-East
peace-building endeavors, and to learn a powerful conflict resolution
technique that will serve you in all aspects of your life. Delegations are
open to all. We welcome and honor participation of individuals from all
nations and religions.
Israel/West Bank/Gaza
Mid-East Citizen Diplomacy has led 15 citizen delegations to Israel, the West
Bank and Gaza since 1990. We have built respectful and trusted relationships
in many sectors of Israeli and Palestinian society, and extend an invitation
to you to join us in entering both societies very deeply to listen, learn,
and build bridges of understanding. Our work focuses on bridging the gap
between Jews/Israelis and Palestinians from East Jerusalem, the West Bank and
Gaza.
Our two-week journey begins in Jerusalem with a training in Compassionate
Listening. The group then listens to and dialogues with Israelis and
Palestinians representing the full spectrum of opinion within each society,
including grassroots and political leaders, professionals, peace activists,
Israeli settlers, refugees, religious leaders, and members of opposition
movements. We also learn from and support Israelis and Palestinians already
involved in reconciliation efforts, and help build bridges between
communities in conflict.
Leading Israeli and Palestinian professionals in the conflict resolution
field serve on our Advisory Board and are actively involved with our
delegations. Through our daily practice in the field and our group sessions,
participants come away with a thorough understanding of Compassionate
Listening, which is applicable to all conflict situations–domestic to
international. The March 2001 delegation will be led by Leah Green with
assistance from Munteha Shukrallah.
Syria/Lebanon
We are expanding the Compassionate Listening Project beginning with a
ground-breaking delegation to Syria and Lebanon in 2001. This trip will open
up a much needed dialogue between Syrian and Lebanese citizens and leaders,
and citizens of western countries. We will journey with open hearts and
minds, and begin to build bridges of understanding and friendship.
Youth Delegation
Youth delegations will be offered as part of MECD's new Children of Abraham
Educational Project, founded by Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener. Trips will
have a special emphasis on Israeli and Palestinian youth, and will include a
work project. The July 2001 delegation will be led by Rabbi Andrea
Cohen-Kiener with assistance from Munteha Shukrallah. Please email Andrea for
further information: andrea@mideastdiplomacy.org
Compassionate Listening
We believe that peace comes through the hard work of meeting one's enemy -
the human being behind the stereotype, and acknowledging one another's
suffering. Compassionate Listening as a tool for reconciliation is based on a
simple yet profound formula for the resolution of conflict: adversaries
giving the gift of listening. To help reconcile conflicting parties, we must
have the ability to understand the suffering of both sides.
"Rarely does a project of any kind live up to its stated goals. The
Compassionate Listening Project is an amazing exception. The experience
provided access to people few ever get to meet and learn from. I learned more
in three weeks than I have learned in ten years!"
- Dr Howard Leonard, Washington.
You will find the itinerary from our May 2000 delegation below, along with a
registration form (please note that itineraries change with each trip). The
March 2001 Israel/West Bank/Gaza trip cost is $2,500; U.S. airfare is $680 -
$790 if puchased through us, depending on point of departure. We have limited
scholarship money available at this time. Trips are limited to twenty
participants. Please refer to our we
bsite for more information – including staff and advisory board,
articles, comments
from our past participants, and more about Mid-East Citizen Diplomacy and the
Compassionate Listening Project. While you're there, please subscribe to our
email list on the homepage if you would like to receive our twice yearly
email newsletter and announcements about upcoming Compassionate Listening
workshops.
You may also order Children
of Abraham, a beautiful documentary video about the Compassionate
Listening Project, directly from our website.
Mid-East Citizen Diplomacy is a U.S. 501-c-3 non-profit organization. If you
would like to help support our work, please send your tax deductable donation
to our address above, or you can make a credit card donation from the
homepage of our website. Thank you for your support!
Compassionate Listening Delegation
Sample Itinerary (May 2000 trip)
Day 1, Thursday, May 4th - (National Palace Hotel)
Arrive Tel Aviv, bus to Jerusalem, group dinner, welcome.
Day 2, Friday, May 5th - (National Palace Hotel)
1. Compassionate Listening Training with Carol Hwoschinsky, Trainer;
2. joined by Gila Svirsky, former director of Bat Shalom, and Dr. Sumaya
Nasser, director, The Jerusalem Center for Women: listening sessions and
role plays.
Evening: optional Shabbat at YAKAR.
Day 3, Saturday, May 6th - (National Palace Hotel)
1. Walking tour of Jerusalem's Old City;
2. Sara Kaminker, Co-chair of the Jerusalem Information Center and past
Jerusalem City Council member and Planner, at her home in French Hill; tour
Palestinian villages in E. Jerusalem; reception at Mukhtar's home in Suwahrah
Gharbiyyeh.
(Evening: group)
Day 4, Sunday, May 7th - (overnights with Palestinian host families in Hebron)
1. Tour new Jewish neighborhoods in E. Jerusalem including Ras Al-Amud, with
Judy Balint;
2. Yeshivat Orot, Jewish religious school on the Mt. of Olives;
3. Hebron orientation with Hisham Sharabati, Journalist, Hebronite, and
Compassionate Listening coordinator;
4. Hebron host families for dinner and overnight.
Day 5, Monday, May 8th - (overnights with Palestinian host families in
Hebron)
1. Walking tour: Abraham's Tomb/Ibrahimi Mosque and downtown Hebron,
including the downtown Settlements, the Settlers' Museum at Beit Haddassah,
and Tel Rumeida;
2. Sara and Baruch Nachson, residents, Kiryat Arba in their home;
3. Visit Afife Sharabati in the family home in Hebron’s Old City, adjacent to
the Israeli settlement of Abraham Avinu (Abraham Avinu is built on the site
of the pre-1929 Jewish quarter of Hebron).
Day 6, Tuesday, May 9th - (Marna Guest House - Gaza City)
1. Listening session with Palestinians against the peace process;
2. Leave for Gaza;
3. Arrive Marna House;
4. Gathering for dialogue with Basel Abu Said and others from the Gaza
Friendship Society, and Hagit Ra'anan, Israeli who leads citizen delegations
to Gaza for Israelis.
Day 7, Wednesday, May 10th - (National Palace Hotel)
Gaza meetings:
1. Ahmad Abdul Rahman, Head of Arafat's Cabinet, Palestinian National
Authority;
2. Tour of Gaza with Abdul Rahman's staff;
3. Abu Mahadi family - stories from 1948, Jabalia Refugee Camp;
Day 8, Thursday, May 11th - (National Palace Hotel)
1. Asmi Bishara, Knesset Member;
2. Stuart Shoffman, Journalist, Jerusalem Report;
3. Jeff Halper, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, including a
family visit.
(evening group)
Day 9 – Friday, May 12th - (Hope Flowers School - al Khader Village, near
Bethlehem)
1. Netta Amr, Lawyer with Israeli Association for Civil Rights, Sephardic
activist;
2. Leah Tsemel, Israeli Human Rights Lawyer;
3. Sound and Light Show - Kibbutz Kfar Etzion;
4. Hope Flowers School (peace and democracy education for Palestinian
children) for dinner and overnight.
(evening group)
Day10 – Saturday, May 13th - (Kibbutz Ha'on, Sea of Galilee)
drive up north after breakfast at Hope Flowers for lunchtime arrival at
Kibbutz Ha'On
1. Ben and Bracha Yanoov, Compassionate Listening Project Advisory Board
members;
2. listening to residents of the Golan in favor of leaving the Golan without
opposition if peace agreement conditions are satisfactory;
3. listening to Golan residents who oppose leaving the Golan.
Day 11 – Sunday, May 14th - (Kibbutz Ha'on)
1. Free time for swimming in the Sea of Galilee;
2. Listening to the Druze in Majd alShams, Golan (citizens of Syria pre 1967);
3. Moshav Margaliot, Lebanese Border - overlooking Kiryat Shmona. Talk with
head of Moshav and residents about impending Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon;
4. Dinner in northernmost town of Metulla. Visit the Good Fence with Lebanon,
talk to residents informally;
5. Group wrap up: Ben and Bracha’s home in Rosh Pina.
Day 12 – Monday, May 15th - (National Palace Hotel)
1. Ramallah (to be announced);
2. Dr. Adel Yahya, author of The Palestinian Refugees, an oral history;
3. Jalazoun Refugee Camp.
(evening group)
Day 13 – Tuesday, May 16th - (National Palace Hotel)
1. Stanley Ringler, Director, Foreign Desk, Israel One party;
2. Holocaust Museum for those who have not been - optional for those who
have been;
3. Dr. Alon Liel, Israeli Negotiator in the Peace Talks - Water Committee;
(Dr. Liel is also the former Ambassodor to South Africa and Turkey);
(evening group)
Day 14 – Wednesday, May 17th (On our own for sleeping arrangements this night
if staying on)
1. Faisal Husseini, Minister for Jerusalem, Palestinian National Authority,
and member of the final status negotiating team, Orient House (Palestinian
political seat in E. Jersusalem);
2. group wrap-up and farewell dinner;
"This program was truly remarkable!!! I was awed every single day."
- Cantor Robert Scherr, Temple Israel of Natick
Compassionate Listening Project Registration
Name___________________________________________________
Age____________________
Address____________________________________ City______________ State_____
Zip_______
Telephone: Daytime ( ) ______________________, Evening ( )
__________________________
Email__________________ Fax_____________________ Date of
Birth______________________
Occupation________________________________
Employer________________________________
Interests/skills______________________________________________________________
_______
Ethnic Identity
_____________________________________________________________________
Accommodations
I prefer a ______single room; ______double room
I wish to share a room with____________________________ ; I am a
_____smoker; _____non-smoker
Country of Citizenship___________________ Passport number_____________________
Your name, exactly as appears on
passport_________________________________________________
Date of Issue (day/mo/yr) _____________________ Date of
Expiration_________________________
In case of emergency please notify __________________________Relation_________
_______
Phone #s___________________________
Address________________________________________
Have you lived/worked/traveled in Israel, the West Bank or Gaza? Do have any
close family living there?
Why do you want to participate in this project and how do you think you can
contribute to its success?
Do you have any special dietary needs, medical conditions, allergies or
disabilities that may affect your participation in this trip?
Participants are expected to have good communication skills and a commitment
to conflict resolution. What are your strengths in this area?
How did you learn about this delegation?________________________________
We will hold your place when we receive your completed registration and your
$300 trip deposit. Please mail to:
Mid-East Citizen Diplomacy
P.O. Box 17
Indianola, WA 98342
(360) 297-2280
fax: (360) 297-6563
email: office@mideastdiplomacy.org
leah@mideastdiplomacy.org
andrea@mideastdiplomacy.org
http://www.mideastdiplomacy.org
- Subject: Breast Awareness - Paget's Disease
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 19:15:19 EDT
(Carolyn):"Received this today from a friend of mine... Please read!"
In Nov. I lost my sister (Betty Botts of Troy, AL.) to a rare kind of cancer.
She developed a rash on her breast similar to that of young mothers who are
nursing. Because her mammogram had been clear, the Dr. treated her with
antibiotics for infections.
After 2 rounds and it continued to get worse, her Dr. sent her for another
mammogram and this time it showed a mass. A biopsy found a fast growing
malignancy; chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then a
mastectomy; then a full round of chemo; then radiation.
After about 9 months of intense treatment she was given a clean bill of
health. One year of living each day to its fullest then it returned on the
liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of
life, not the after effects of chemo. We had 5 great months and she planned
each detail of the final days. After just a few days of needing morphine, she
slipped away saying she had done what God had sent her into the world to do
and now it was her time to go.
I still have tears as I write, but our message would be like the one below,
to be alert to anything that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help
as soon as possible.
Juanita Bush
Ladies, take note:
This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on
the nipple and aureola. It appeared as a rash which later became a lesion
with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast
cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash
bothered me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up
with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the
dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little
concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous. Now I suspect there are
not many women out there who know a lesion of rash on the nipple or aureola
can be breast cancer.
What are the symptoms?
Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureola. One of the biggest
problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be
harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation of infection,
leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.
The symptoms include:
1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it
to itch and burn. As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had
no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge
on one side.
2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. Mine was on the aureola
area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple.
3. Usually only one nipple is affected.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of
both breasts done immediately even though the redness, oozing and crusting
closely resembles dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should
suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast.
Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.
They will take a sample of your breast tissue in that area to test for
cancer. If the cancer is only in the nipple and not in the breast, your
doctor may recommend just removing the nipple and surrounding tissue or
suggest radiation treatments. Had my doctor caught mine right away, instead
of flaking it off as dermatitis, perhaps they could have saved my breast, and
it wouldn't have gone to my lymph nodes.
This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your
friends as possible; it could save someone's life. My breast cancer has
spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of
chemotherapy; 28 treatments of radiation and taking tamaxofin. If this had
been diagnosed in the beginning as breast cancer and treated right away,
perhaps it would not have spread.
I did try to spread the word through Rosie O'Donnell show on breast cancer
awareness, but it failed to trigger importance enough to announce on her show
last year. It is sad that women are not aware of Paget's disease.
If by passing this around on the e-mail, we can make others aware of it, and
its potential danger, we are helping women everywhere.
Please, take a moment to e-mail this information to a friend.
It only takes a few minutes, yet the results could save a life.
[recd from Dorothy W., Sept 19, 2000]
- Subject: CALL State Dept re Indonesia
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 18:30:41 EDT
Following on Allan Nairn's request to Democracy Now's listeners this morning:
"Word just in [this morning] from Indonesia, two student leaders have just
been abducted from Banda, Aceh. Muzakir and Mohamed Saleh of Sira were
reportedly seized from a car repair shop by seven men in plain clothes
armed with pistols and long rifles. They were taken away in two jeeps."
Defense Secretary William Cohen is in Indonesia, and has made a public
statement condemning the abduction. It is not known how consistently with
that statement he speaks and behaves away from camera and microphone.
"Solidarity groups are urging people to call the State Department to demand
that the Indonesian government locate and release the abducted activists
immediately." The number for the Indonesian desk at Madeleine Albright's
State Department is (202) 647-3276.
Congressional switchboard [202-224-3121] was difficult to reach this
morning; one can ask, before ending a call to one office, to be transferred
back to the operator, and thus reach all at a single try.
Nancy Pelosi needs others to support her strong efforts to increase
humanitarian aid to East Timor and to end U.S. funding of Indonesia's
law-unto-itself and lawless-unto-all-others military. Apparently the
National Security Council's Sandy Berger plays a significant role.
- Subject: Military Academy, meeting location changed
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000 22:49:11 EDT
ALERT! ALERT!
Carolyn writes: "The Alameda County School Board Meeting has been moved to Oakland! That is
Good! The Tuesday, September 26, meeting that we have been preparing for
will be held at the Oakland School District Office, 1025 Second Avenue in
Oakland. We have been there before. It is the same place where the Oakland
School Board met on this issue. Please Come and bring friends. More of us
ought to be able to come. Come early because I am sure the place will be
packed. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m."
For the full text of her E-mail message, click on:
Meeting Location Changed
To continue with the archived postings, click on: ARCHIVE (continued).