anti-Zionist

“Hey, honey.  What’s a word for when you’re anti-Zionist?  Is there another word for that?” I asked Ming.

We were talking on the phone.  I was filling out a survey for the synagogue that Ming and I are members at.  It was scary to answer some of the questions honestly, but that’s the whole point.  They’re asking for feedback.

People who are on the edges need to speak up, even though that can be very hard.  When we have less power, we have more to lose.  But the dominant culture needs to know others exist who need something different.

“Uh, no–that’s the word for it,” Ming said.

“I thought there was some other way to say it,” I said.  “Like me–if I’m an anarchist, I’m anti-statist.  So I could be like–I’m opposed to all nations, not just Zionism.  But that’s more specific.”

“Right,” Ming said.  “That’s part of the problem–we’re looking for different words.”

“What about those congregations up north, like in Washington state?” I asked.  “What word did they use?”

“Anti-occupation,” Ming said.

“Oh yeah!  That’s what I was thinking of!” I said.

“Anti-occupation isn’t anti-Zionist in general–just that one part of it,” Ming said.

“Oh, ok.  Thank you.  Yes, that’s what I was looking for,” I said.

searching

Searching for other terms for the ideas I feel and believe, I found the Jewish Voice for Peace page Our Approach to Zionism.  That has some smart ideas.  I’m glad this huge, somewhat conventional org is very clear about how Anti-Zionism and antisemitism are not the same thing.  What an important distinction!

I used to criticize JVP as so straight-laced and mainstream.  Whoa nelly–I’m am feeling grateful to JVP right about now.  JVP helps me feel safer like I have some backup and my ideas are not too weird at all.  I am a regular anti-Zionist.  This whole org thinks kinda like me, so I am ok.

olive

Last night I facilitated a small group ministry on Beltane / May Day / spring.  My good friend teased me for the question I asked about big maypole energy.

One of the questions I asked was about spring foods.  Passover Seder is fun because we can customize it so much: the orange for queers and women, the olive for Palestine.  My spring food of choice is charoset; I mentioned how tasty it is.  I think, “I should eat this all year!” then forget about it till next spring.

I just love walnuts: my charoset recipe is chopped up apples, walnuts, purple grape juice.  That’s it.

questions for discussion

Is it hard for you to give honest feedback when you’re on the margins or for any reason have less power?

How do you protect yourself when you feel vulnerable?

What is your favorite spring food?

Have you danced around a maypole?  Would you do it again?

What is your favorite nut?

How do we create peace in the Middle East or anywhere?