Politics & Society
The Deportation Strategy
|
President Obama’s decision to wait until after the November elections to take executive action on immigration reinforces the status quo in Washington politics that undocumented immigrants are expendable.
Education
Sudden Calls for 'Civility' Threaten Academic Freedom After Palestinian-American Professor Fired
|
The University of Illinois recently fired Steven Salaita for his severe critiques of Israel on Twitter. After his firing the administration released a statement on how they value civility, which triggered university presidents across the country to echo similar statements on civility in relation to free speech. David Harris-Gershon reflects on whether academic institutions are rapidly suppressing the principle of academic freedom.
Non-Violent Communication (NVC)
Beale Charges Dropped
|
Non-violent demonstrations in Beale, California, the home of the Global Hawk Drone, a surveillance drone that identifies targets for armed Predator and Reaper drones, will continue. History has shown that sustained nonviolent resistance is an effective means of social transformation.
Politics & Society
Outrageous: NY Democrats Convene Press Conference to Bash Zephyr Teachout on Israel
|
During a press conference for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, democratic officials slam his opponent, Zephyr Teachout for her views on Israel. Her reluctance to speak openly about the conflict caused the New York democrats to paint her as anti-Semitic — demonstrating how in American politics, if you’re not pro-Israel, you are branded as a potential enemy.
Judaism
Behaving Like Jews
|
Have major American Jewish institutions been distracted, or worse, has their commitment to social justice in America been adversely affected by their focus on Israel?
Politics & Society
What to Do About ISIS
|
To know what is to be done about ISIS, we must start by recognizing where they came from and what role the US played in their origins. Then we must proceed in a much different manner.
Christianity
Letter to Pope Francis on Obliterating the Gender Scripts
|
Warren Blumenfeld asks Pope Francis to uses his influence and power to turn away from adhering to and promoting society’s gender roles.
Education
Empathy Workshops in Oregon
|
This weekend Rabbi Michael Lerner will be the keynote speaker for the Awards Dinner at the Peace House in Ashland, Oregon. Michael and Cat Zavis, executive director of NSP, will then co-lead two separate workshops on empathy.
Culture
6 Reasons that Debunk the Myth of Islam Promoting Hatred of Jews and Christians
|
Some Muslims use the Quran verse, “O You who have believed! Do not take the Jews and Christians as your allies (Auliya). They are allies of one another. He among you who takes them for allies is one of them. God does not guide the oppressive folks” as a way to justify hatred towards Jews. Ro Waseem uses his knowledge of the Quran to dismantle this myth.
Buddhism
Militant Resistance Can Look Like This
|
In Downtown Oakland on August 31, a group of Buddhists and interfaith allies sat in meditation, blocking the doors of the Marriott Hotel. The group was protesting the hotel hosting Urban Shield this week, a militarized police expo and SWAT Team training. Nichola Torbett shares her friend’s reflection of the demonstration.