A) In Theory: In my short life (I’m only 51) I have been privileged to witness and be part of a number of critical paradigm shifts or parts of the overall paradigm shift. One is the introduction of Eastern practices and thought into the West—for instance yoga or acupuncture or Chi Gong were not part of my lexicon when I was a child. Today it is commonplace, in fact most Israeli hospitals and health services support ‘alternative’ practices. Another is the convergence of cosmology, quantum theory and mysticism. Another is the liberation of the female—not just of women but the female in all aspects of life whether in modes of thinking or management tools or creativity etc. Another is the Gaia understanding of the ecology of the planet—that all aspects of nature are interconnected, that this is really a giant organism that lives and breathes and thinks and regulates its own wellbeing through the myriad of organs/organisms that live and dwell on its surface. The Internet is another. And finally there is … the Jewish return to Zion. Yes indeed, an event that is as groundbreaking, as extraordinary, as paradigm shaking as any of the others if not more so. Who could have imagined, who could have foreseen (except of course Herzl and the prophets of old) that the Jews could have, against all odds, made it back home. And what an effect this has been for the world.

B) In Hope: Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with people who have been traumatized and abused as children. Such abuse can be sexual, physical, emotional, psychological in all its terrible permutations and combinations. As adults this history is expressed, in many cases, by such symptoms as food and chemical abuse, over-expressed anger or suppressed anger, paranoia, xenophobia, guilt, violence, and more. Many times the adult cannot even remember the events of the past. Denial is a strong natural defense against the inner demons. Today there are, thank God, methods such as the twelve step program that can bring hope to tormented souls. “I admit that I am powerless … I turn to the Divine … I humble myself …” etc. So what is the path of healing for a nation, an entire people that has suffered such abuses for so many years—beaten and battered and laughed at and burnt and slaughtered and gassed and more, much more; that shows so many symptoms of its abuse: in the way we drive, talk, react, hit back, discriminate against, laugh at, suppress, fear, are manic, depressed, xenophobic, paranoiac and more? After sixty years we must start the program back to sanity, to healing, to fulfilling our Divine role for the sake of he world. We must end the denial that we are suffering, that we are ill, that we need help, that we can be healed. We have all the tools and wisdom at our fingertips—now is the time to use them.

C) In Reality: The Palestinians and the Israelis are standing on the frontlines in the perennial conflict between Islam and Christianity. Both are being used. Both are convinced that they are right. Both are prepared to fight to the bitter end. The battlefront has extended in the last few years around the world. Both Israelis and Palestinians will be destroyed in this battle unless they stand together, support each other, watch each other’s backs, and share what resources we have in this small land. And if this conflict is not enough, we now have that of climate change and all the catastrophic consequences of our irresponsibility to the planet. We must recognized that divided we fall, together we may have a chance.