Rabbi David Louis
I should issue a disclaimer up front since this blog title belies what follows. It’s not a concise entry of a particular rabbi commenting on Iran and Obama. It’s actually a jumble of so many things I have wanted to write about the past few weeks and yet have not. (Blame it on grading finals, summer travels, camping, insert excuse of your choice.)
There are so many interesting developments on Middle East issues right now that reducing them to pithy blog entries seems beyond challenging. Does anyone else sense that major shifts are emerging? It seems we are headed toward a basis of reconciliation rather than divisions, building on mutual understandings rather than assumptions and prejudices, and focusing more on the underlying principles of democracy and of the Golden Rule.
In that vein, and in forgiveness of the fact that I’m sitting in a San Francisco coffee shop about to rush off on another adventure, I’ll give you a smattering of things that have been on my radar screen the past few weeks. (And with the hopes that I will return to flesh these out in the next few days—insha’allah!)
Two days ago, I attended a Bible conference at Asilomar, to which I travelled, interestingly enough, to hear a Rabbi. (Bible conference – Rabbi–get the irony?) I had the opportunity have lunch with him, Rabbi David Louis, and hear him speak. A remarkable, spell-binding, inspiring, ground-breaking figure. I had chills and was moved beyond words. He is a deep, spiritual, loving character, working for unity between Jews and Christians on the basis of metaphysics. He “gets” it at the deepest level and sees beyond human divisions. Here are a few links:
–Rabbi Louis article and video interview on Christian Science.
Another major development–a true stake in the ground–was President Obama’s speech in Cairo on June 4. I hope that everyone gets the chance to listen or read it. His comments address head-on issues and challenges I heard so often from individuals in the Middle East. Obama appeals to the better part of each of us–individuals in both regions–to move forward on the basis of the fundamental principles of decency that unite all mankind. It’s a watershed speech, and truly lays the groundwork for a new chapter in this most contentious and fragile relationship in the world–that of Middle East and West.
Finally, Frontline last night aired a wonderful program, Egypt: Middle East, Inc.
It follows a competition for young entrepreneurs sponsored by an organization, INJAZ, I encountered at last year’s Middle East World Economic Forum in Cairo. They are doing wonderful things and PBS’s production is very well done. Check it out!
Well folks, that’s all for now. Warm greetings to all and wishing you a wonderful summer!
