Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
More photos from the June 4th protests in downtown Toronto
Welcome to Toronto! On your left... and on your right...Wednesday, October 21, 2009
"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 3
An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 3 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.
Part 3 of Dutch's video features the conclusion of Marc Prowisor's excellent speech and includes the question and answer period.Watch the beginning of Marc's speech here.
One of the most gripping moments of his speech, for me, was when he referred to, "These gallows that people call peace." He also dismisses the notion of a Palestinian ethnicity.
I'm still awaiting approval to post Part 4 with the concluding remarks by a member of the community.
"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 2
An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 2 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.
In Part 2 of Dutch's video, Marc Prowisor talks about his life and work in Judea and Samaria.From 1996-2006, Marc was head of security in Shilo, Israel. During that time, he responded to more than 100 terrorist attacks. He works now as a consultant and adviser on security and terrorism issues around the world.
This man knows what he's talking about. He has a unique perspective and he's not a politician, so he doesn't pull any punches: he tells you what he really thinks.
Marc's speech concludes in Part 3, which I will post as soon as it is uploaded.
Note: Although it says Part 2 of 3, there might be a Part 4. I realized I hadn't obtained permission from the man who made the concluding remarks of the evening, so I'm waiting for that before I upload his speech.
"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 1
An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 1 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.
Marc Prowisor, director of security projects for the One Israel Fund and former head of security for Shilo, Israel, was the featured speaker at "An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" at Shaarei Tefillah Synagogue, Toronto, on October 18, 2009.In Part 1 of Dutch's video, Rabbi Moshe Stern and Rabbi Gary Zweig introduce Marc Prowisor.
Note: Although it says Part 1 of 3, there might be a Part 4. I realized I hadn't obtained permission from the man who made the concluding remarks of the evening, so I'm waiting for that before I upload his speech.
Monday, October 19, 2009
"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron"
Dutch and I had the pleasure and privilege of hearing Marc Prowisor speak at the Shaarei Tefillah Synagogue last night about his experiences as the Chief Army Security Coordinator for Shilo, Israel from 1996-2006 and his current work as Director of Security Projects for the One Israel Fund. He spoke of the thriving Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria (a.k.a. the West Bank), the fact of Jewish ownership of the land of Israel and the challenges and joys of living there.
Marc has a blog called Yesha Views. I'll be reading it.
Before Marc spoke, we were treated to a lovely photo presentation by Ezra Ridgley. It was interesting and refreshing to see photos of the homes, neighbourhoods and residents of so many towns in Judea and Samaria. The people we saw depicted were not religious zealots: they were normal people. They are not "settlers". The homes, neighourhoods and beautiful terrain reminded Dutch of a city in California. They are not "settlements".
I was expecting to see overcrowded areas with houses or shanties at least as close together as they are in the old city of Toronto. And homeless Muslim people forced to live in cardboard boxes. But no: it looks like there is a lot of room for growth in the area. I don't know what all the fuss is about over allowing young Jewish couples to build homes near their parents so they can keep their families together.
Ezra has written a book called, Judea and Samaria; The Land of G-d. We bought a copy (part of the proceeds of his book sales last night went to the One Israel Fund) and I am looking forward to reading it.
I was not familiar with the One Israel Fund before last night. They are doing good work.
I'm pretty sure I was told that Marc was interviewed by the Jewish Tribune, so I'll be looking for it in this week's issue.
Correction: Marc's interview with the Jewish Tribune has already appeared and you can read it here.
Dutch videotaped the speeches. We'll put the video up as soon as we can. Marc is a dynamic speaker; I know you'll enjoy it.
Marc has a blog called Yesha Views. I'll be reading it.
Before Marc spoke, we were treated to a lovely photo presentation by Ezra Ridgley. It was interesting and refreshing to see photos of the homes, neighbourhoods and residents of so many towns in Judea and Samaria. The people we saw depicted were not religious zealots: they were normal people. They are not "settlers". The homes, neighourhoods and beautiful terrain reminded Dutch of a city in California. They are not "settlements".
I was expecting to see overcrowded areas with houses or shanties at least as close together as they are in the old city of Toronto. And homeless Muslim people forced to live in cardboard boxes. But no: it looks like there is a lot of room for growth in the area. I don't know what all the fuss is about over allowing young Jewish couples to build homes near their parents so they can keep their families together.
Ezra has written a book called, Judea and Samaria; The Land of G-d. We bought a copy (part of the proceeds of his book sales last night went to the One Israel Fund) and I am looking forward to reading it.
I was not familiar with the One Israel Fund before last night. They are doing good work.
Correction: Marc's interview with the Jewish Tribune has already appeared and you can read it here.
Dutch videotaped the speeches. We'll put the video up as soon as we can. Marc is a dynamic speaker; I know you'll enjoy it.
Monday, June 29, 2009
More pics - Toronto Pride Parade 2009 - 1
Notes:
Click the photos to enlarge.
Most of my photos were taken while waiting in the parade line-up on Bloor Street between Church and Jarvis. A few were taken elsewhere before and after the parade.
Re. the person with the yellow and orange headdress: I blurred his chest area a bit and cropped the pic. Yes, he still has his dingly-dangly bits, and they were on display. He was very popular. When I walked by, a lot of people were asking to have their photos taken with him.
The "ladies" in pink were also very popular; lots of people had their photos taken with them.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Case for Israel
About 600 people gathered last night at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation in Toronto to watch a free screening of the documentary, "The Case for Israel: Democracy's Outpost".
This documentary covers a lot of information in an interesting, easy to follow format; it is compelling and is never dull or dry.
It features clips of Alan Dershowitz speaking before various audiences and in interviews with politicians, military leaders and various experts. Some of the people featured in the interviews, either with Mr. Dershowitz or on their own, are Shimon Peres, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tzipi Livni, Caroline Glick, Phyllis Chesler and Canada's Irwin Cotler. (Full list with bios here.)
The film begins with Alan Dershowitz stating that he is pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian and that he supports a two-state solution. Later, he states that the two-state solution will only happen when Palestinians want a Palestinian state more than they want "no Jewish state". And that is the crux of the issue: demonization of Israel derives from hatred toward the concept and fact of Jewish nationhood and is not the result of any direct or indirect action of the Israeli government. Again and again, Palestinians have been given generous offers of land and again and again, they have turned their backs on the offers.
The idea for the documentary seems to have come about as a response to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's book, "Palestine: Peace not Apartheid". The speakers in "The Case for Israel" use facts to refute the claim, made by Mr. Carter and others, that Israel is an apartheid, illegitimate state. It discusses the historical basis for the founding of Israel and Israel's approach to the many challenges it faces.
I scribbled a few notes in the dark but I think the trailer and clips will give you a better idea of the strengths of this film.
Watch the trailer here and clips here.
This excellent film is available on DVD for US $14.99 (via their website). We were told last night that this is a not-for-profit venture; perhaps that is why the price is so reasonable. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in this issue. Although I saw it last night, I am going to buy it so I can watch it again and show it to others.
Someone in the Q&A afterwards pointed out that the documentary did not cover the period from 1917 to 1946. He said an overview of that era is necessary to disprove the lie that Israel is an illegal occupier of Arab land. I thought it was a good point. (For background information about the Balfour Declaration, see here.)
If your (or your child's) school or university addresses the Middle East, the UN or the current Durban 2 spectacle, suggest that the teacher include this documentary in class as a way of presenting both sides of the story. Buy the DVD and have it on hand so they will have no easy excuses for neglecting the pro-Israel side.
Activist, author and documentary filmmaker Robert Friedman was the special guest at Shaarei Shomayim last night. After we watched the film, Mr. Friedman talked about ways that everyone can get involved and spread the truth about Israel. He stressed the importance of making connections with pro-Israel groups and working with them to make a difference.
Here's the trailer for Mr. Friedman's documentary, "More Precious than Pearls" and here is an essay he wrote about it. I'd like to see this film.
Last night's film and guest speaker were presented by the Speakers Action Group. This dedicated group organizes very interesting lectures; I've attended a few and hope to attend more in future.
Many thanks to the Speakers Action Group and the folks at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation.
Note to self: Learn the words to Hatikvah.
This documentary covers a lot of information in an interesting, easy to follow format; it is compelling and is never dull or dry.
It features clips of Alan Dershowitz speaking before various audiences and in interviews with politicians, military leaders and various experts. Some of the people featured in the interviews, either with Mr. Dershowitz or on their own, are Shimon Peres, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tzipi Livni, Caroline Glick, Phyllis Chesler and Canada's Irwin Cotler. (Full list with bios here.)
The film begins with Alan Dershowitz stating that he is pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian and that he supports a two-state solution. Later, he states that the two-state solution will only happen when Palestinians want a Palestinian state more than they want "no Jewish state". And that is the crux of the issue: demonization of Israel derives from hatred toward the concept and fact of Jewish nationhood and is not the result of any direct or indirect action of the Israeli government. Again and again, Palestinians have been given generous offers of land and again and again, they have turned their backs on the offers.
The idea for the documentary seems to have come about as a response to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's book, "Palestine: Peace not Apartheid". The speakers in "The Case for Israel" use facts to refute the claim, made by Mr. Carter and others, that Israel is an apartheid, illegitimate state. It discusses the historical basis for the founding of Israel and Israel's approach to the many challenges it faces.
I scribbled a few notes in the dark but I think the trailer and clips will give you a better idea of the strengths of this film.
Watch the trailer here and clips here.
This excellent film is available on DVD for US $14.99 (via their website). We were told last night that this is a not-for-profit venture; perhaps that is why the price is so reasonable. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in this issue. Although I saw it last night, I am going to buy it so I can watch it again and show it to others.
Someone in the Q&A afterwards pointed out that the documentary did not cover the period from 1917 to 1946. He said an overview of that era is necessary to disprove the lie that Israel is an illegal occupier of Arab land. I thought it was a good point. (For background information about the Balfour Declaration, see here.)
If your (or your child's) school or university addresses the Middle East, the UN or the current Durban 2 spectacle, suggest that the teacher include this documentary in class as a way of presenting both sides of the story. Buy the DVD and have it on hand so they will have no easy excuses for neglecting the pro-Israel side.
Activist, author and documentary filmmaker Robert Friedman was the special guest at Shaarei Shomayim last night. After we watched the film, Mr. Friedman talked about ways that everyone can get involved and spread the truth about Israel. He stressed the importance of making connections with pro-Israel groups and working with them to make a difference.
Here's the trailer for Mr. Friedman's documentary, "More Precious than Pearls" and here is an essay he wrote about it. I'd like to see this film.
Last night's film and guest speaker were presented by the Speakers Action Group. This dedicated group organizes very interesting lectures; I've attended a few and hope to attend more in future.
Many thanks to the Speakers Action Group and the folks at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation.
Note to self: Learn the words to Hatikvah.
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