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Category: Religion

  • Davis Rabbi shares Reform Judaism Movement’s Statement on Starvation in Gaza

    [Note: There are three parts to this post: an "unauthorized" preface by Alan Hirsch (his word), a message from Rabbi Jeremy Simons to Davis Congregation Bet Haverim (shared with permission), and then "Reform Judaism Movement’s (URJ+) Statement on Starvation in Gaza," which Rabbi Simons shared with his congregation].

     

    Unauthorized preface by Alan Hirsch

    Please read carefully both statements beyond headline and first paragraphs. These are likely “Straussian texts” after Maimonides – i.e. contain nuances and facts that may challenge the topic sentence.  This I conjecture reflects the divergence in opinion on Israel within the liberal (‘reform’) part of Religious Jewish community that its leadership has to straddle.  I believe the fact it only once references Netanyahu between two of them – and does not note his conduct of the war– is interesting. Don’t jump to conclusions- read closely and decide for yourself.

     

    Message from Rabbi Simons:

    Dear CBH members & friends,

    I write to you having returned from vacation this morning. Like many of you, I have spent the last few weeks reading about the increasingly dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The situation is complex; however, one thing is not: allowing people to starve to death, especially children, is wrong. There are those, including cabinet members of the current Israeli government, who say the lives of any of the 20 remaining hostages are worth more than those of all Gazans combined. While I believe Hamas bears responsibility for this disaster, there is a difference: Hamas is evil, and Israel is not. We ought to hold Israel to a higher standard. Israel, and Israel alone, has the power to allow or prohibit aid. To keep hundreds of tons of food in storage while people die of hunger miles away is indefensible. I say that not because I hate Israel–God forbid–but because I love it. I will not allow Zionism to be redefined by bigots and zealots who say, proudly, that Jewish lives are the only one’s worth saving. Condemning a country’s actions and policies is not the same as condemning a country. Tochecha (rebuke) is necessary, as is demanding immediate humanitarian aid and an end to this war that will see the return of the remaining hostages. Below is a statement from the URJ that I urge you to read.

    Rabbi Jeremy Simons
    Davis Congregation Bet Haverim

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  • Celebration of Abraham hosts a contemplative interfaith prayer vigil

    (From press release) People of faith must support all those who are suffering.

    As a first step, our community must come together, so the Celebration of Abraham is hosting a contemplative interfaith prayer vigil at the Davis United Methodist Church at 1620 Anderson Road on Tuesday, June 24th at 7pm. Abraham is inviting the entire community. We are hoping the people will bring snacks to share that they will stay and talk with others after the service. Many in our community are food insecure, so we are asking folks to bring a nonperishable food item that Abraham will collect and give to the local food bank.

  • Davis, Improving Muslim, Arab and Palestinian Human Relations

    By Scott Steward

    When prompted by public comment or by the City Council, the Davis Human Relations Commission (HRC) assigns subcommittees to collect Davis residents feedback on what residents are experiencing, to get direct feedback about Davis residents' experiences, with conflict, discrimination or other relations.  

    Not surprisingly the Commission has heard much in the way of incidences of Islamic/Palestinian/Arab discrimination and Antisemitism (discrimination against Jews) in the last year and a half.  Two subcommittees were formed in late 2024 and remain in place today, the Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians and their Allies (MAPA) subcommittee and the Antisemitism subcommittee.  The MAPA report was completed and presented on April 2nd and recommendations from the report were refined and voted on by the commission on April 24th.

    The Muslim Arab Palestinians and their allies (MAPA) Human Relations Commission Report is a compilation of “100s of conversations, and review of 100s of videos, photos, and screenshots from social media stories and posts, surveyed residents, DJUSD parents and staff, UCD faculty, staff and students of a relatively even mix of Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians and Ally respondents." 

    The report is a 91 page representative sample of all the Davis sources and some data from external sources.

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  • 21st annual Celebration of Abraham: Finding Strength to Move Through Challenges

    Finding strength to Move Through Challenges flyer V2-3 1(From press release) On February 2, the twenty-first annual Celebration of Abraham will meet and explore Finding Strength to Move Through Challenges. The event will be held from 3 to 5 pm at the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 1701 Russell Boulevard in Davis.

    This past year has been very hard. We had one of the most contentious elections in decades. The consequences of the election will mean that many in our state face potential deportation and family separation. The fires in Southern California, which have burned over 40,000 acres, are more evidence of the devastating effects of climate change. Our world feels increasingly fragile.

    Religious traditions offer insight into how we can face these challenges with kindness and decency. The Celebration’s speakers and the training and table exercises in how to listen to others will offer insight into how the three Abrahamic traditions can help us face the difficulties in the next year. The three speakers this year are Mairaj Syed, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Middle East/South Asia Studies Program at University of California Davis and a founding member or the MUSLIM DEAN; John Katonah, Congregation Bet Haverim and President of the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network; and the Very Rev. Pamela Dolan, Rector, the Episcopal Church of Saint Martin, Davis.

    This year the Celebration of Abraham is raising funds for two nonprofit groups–Sahaya International https://sahaya.org/ and the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network https://www.yiinyolo.org/. The Celebration acts as the fiscal sponsor to collect these funds. The Celebration provides donors with a tax receipt.  All funds that are donated  will be divided equally between YIIN and Sahaya.

    To register for the event, please use this link  https://bit.ly/COAstrength . The link is case sensitive. You can also use this link to donate.

  • Opportunities to help our homeless neighbors

    Hello fellow advocates for our homeless neighbors,

    Please see the letter below. We have created a "Compassion Fund" to provide motel rooms for people who need them this winter. The letter explains this more in detail, but if you can find it in your hearts to contribute, your donation will go a long way toward getting vulnerable folks off the street and into a warm, safe environment, at least temporarily. Each motel night costs $80-100, depending on size and amenities.  Donate here.

    Secondly, Davis Community Meals and Housing and HEART of Davis would like to make Christmas and New Year's Days special for the guests of the congregate Winter Shelter (1111 H Street). Please consider signing up to bring food for lunch and breakfast on those days. More information here:

    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CAEAA23A46-53931782-christmas

    Additionally, we need 1 volunteer per shift to help out on Christmas day, Wednesday 12/25/2024 and New Years Day, Wednesday 1/1/2025. The volunteers need to be over  the age of 18. Responsibilities will be: passing out food and other resources and making sure no one but shelter guests enter Paul's Place.

    The shifts available on the 25th and 1st are:

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  • Social Service Groups Receive Biberstein Social Action Fund Grants

    (From press release) Eleven nonprofit social service groups in Yolo County have received grants totaling $15,950 from a fund established by Congregation Bet Haverim, Jewish Fellowship of Davis. The Biberstein Social Action Fund was established in 2002 to honor longtime Davis residents Ernie and Hannah Biberstein for their contributions to community service and social justice. (Hannah Biberstein passed away in April of 2011.)  The fund sponsors efforts to address problems related to poverty, discriminations, abuse and neglect.

    The following organizations were funded:

    • Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
    • Downtown Streets Team (DST)
    • Grace in Action
    • HEART of Davis, formerly Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter
    • iDream – The Mac Give Back Project
    • Make It Happen Yolo County
    • Meals on Wheels Yolo County (MOW Yolo)
    • Mercer Veterinary Clinic
    • Personal Care Pantry (WUMC)
    • Yolo Community Care Continuum (YCCC)
    • Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network (YIIN)

    “We are very happy to make these awards,” said Ernie Biberstein. “We think they will make a meaningful difference to the organizations selected and to the Yolo County community.

    The winners, who were chosen by a committee of Bet Haverim members, will be recognized at a ceremony at the Bet Haverim Religious School in Davis in February.

    “In the current uncertain environment, we feel that it is even more important to show our religious school students, and the community at large, the value of supporting the needs of those who are most vulnerable,” continued Biberstein.

    Biberstein Social Action Fund awards are given annually on the basis of proposals made to the synagogue committee. Contributions to the fund may be made through Congregation Bet Haverim, 1715 Anderson Road, Davis, CA 95616. Please note that the donation is for the Biberstein Social Action Fund.

  • Biberstein Social Action Fund Applications available

    22nd Annual Request for Proposals—Proposals due September 27, 2024

    (From press release) Nonprofit organizations are invited to submit applications to the Biberstein Social Action Fund for grants in support of projects addressing poverty, discrimination, abuse and neglect, and the promotion of social justice in Yolo County.

    The Biberstein Social Action Fund was established in 2002 by the Board of Directors of Congregation Bet Haverim to honor Ernie and Hannah Biberstein, who are among the founding members of CBH, and who devoted much of their lives to community service and social justice. Hannah passed away in April 2011. This is the 22nd Anniversary of the Fund.

    The goal of the annual awards made from the Biberstein Social Action Fund is to help Yolo County organizations in their efforts to meet unfulfilled needs. Special consideration is given to new and/or innovative projects.

    An annual Call for Proposals is released each Fall. Grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 are awarded in December. The Biberstein Fund members review the proposals. Current Biberstein Fund members include Congregation Bet Haverim partners Ernie Biberstein, Amy Abramson, Anne Gieseke, Sandy Jones, Joan Sublett, Shoshana Zatz, and Rabbis Bess Wohlner and Jeremy Simons.

    Information about the Biberstein Award, including a link to the application, is available on the CBH website: https://www.bethaverim.org/engage/committees/biberstein-social-action-fund/

    Grant proposals must be submitted no later than September 27, 2024. Questions may be directed to the Biberstein Social Action Fund at: cbhbibersteinfund@gmail.com. Awards will be announced in December 2024.

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  • Fighting Antisemitism: Lessons from history

    Hagen Cover

    William W. Hagen is an emeritus professor of History at UC Davis, specializing in German and east European history. His archival research has often taken him to Berlin and Warsaw, as well as to Vienna, Jerusalem, and New York. He recently recorded a podcast on HIS book, Anti-Jewish Violence in Poland, 1914-1920 (Cambridge University Press, 2018); https://newbooksnetwork.com/anti-jewish-violence-in-poland-1914-1920

    https://hagen.faculty.ucdavis.edu/

    By William W. Hagen

    Antisemitism has sung many tunes in willingly open or gullible ears. But its keynotes are fear and resentment. Historically, it often arose from the mysterious thought that the children of Israel were, collectively, a negative and even dangerous presence. Such fear had primordial roots, but took long-lasting anti-Jewish shape in early Christian attitudes, transmuting later into modern prejudices.

    It now slumbers in Western culture, waking now and then to foment small or big trouble. The resentment arises in hostile minds from bafflement that a numerically weak and historically persecuted people should, as a group, flourish materially and culturally – and, seemingly, possess power inimical to the aggrieved antisemite.

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  • Open Forum on the Pro-Palestine Encampment on the UCD Quad

    598f7067-85aa-4d13-8b6b-0aab5b7ef1c9I went to two Seders this year.  At the first one, no one mentioned the Israel-Gaza war.  It did seem a bit the elephant in the room.  Just before the second Seder, I received an email from the host, referencing an online blog essay by author Ilana DeBare.  It suggested:

    I suggest opening up your seder to discussion, not just readings. Ask guests—in advance so they have time to consider—to bring their own thoughts and feelings about Passover and this war, and suggest that they come with open ears and an open heart. Let down the defensive walls that we’ve been carrying for months. At the Seder table, we can hopefully feel safe and able to listen to others, even if their views are different from our own.

    So in that spirit, I'm inviting the citizens of Davis to express their thoughts about the encampment on the Quad on the UC Davis campus.  While y'all are hashing this out, I'll be in the kitchen eating gefilte fish.

     

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  • Join the Conversation on Davis Housing Solutions

    (From press release) "Davis Housing Solutions: A Community Conversation", a forum organized by Interfaith Housing Justice Davis (IHJD) promises to be an insightful event addressing pressing housing issues and exploring potential solutions. Scheduled for May 16th from 6:30-8:30pm at Davis Community Church, the forum aims to bring together local and regional experts such as Roberto Jimenez CEO of Mutual Housing California and Reverend Connie Simon of the Unitarian Universalist Church, to name a few and moderated by our Mayor, Josh Chapman.  Voices from immigrant mothers in our Davis Joint Unified School District ¿Un Cafecito? will be featured, as well as stories from housing-insecure students, the unsheltered, and those striving to purchase their first homes. The forum will explore topics such as affordable housing, social services, and the city's Housing Trust Fund.  Attendees will gain insights into how the Housing Trust Fund can effectively address housing challenges in Davis, with a focus on ensuring sustainable funding for its initiatives.

    Following the formal presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to question a panel that includes City Council members and city staff, local housing experts and non-profit housing experts.  Additionally, representatives from Northern California Legal Services, Mutual Housing California, Empower Yolo and League of Women Voters will be available–offering opportunities for community involvement and contributions to housing equity efforts.

    The forum is open to all and free of charge, with donations to the Housing Trust Fund welcomed during registration. Livestreaming information will be provided after registration, allowing broader participation in the conversation.

    IHJD urges all community members to participate in shaping the future of housing in Davis.

    Register for the forum at  Https://bit.ly/interfaithhousing

    To contact Interfaith Housing Justice Davis, email Ellen Kolarik at interfaithhjd@gmail.com