ROSEN, Brant. Anti-racist Jewish American rabbi describes his path from being a liberal Zionist to solidarity with the Palestinian people after the 2008-2009 Gaza Massacre

Rabbi Brant Rosen is the Rabbi of Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC) in Evanston, IL. He is the the co-founder of Ta'anit Tzedek -- Jewish Fast for Gaza and serves as the Chairperson of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council. He blogs regularly at Shalom Rav. He is the author of “Wrestling in the Daylight: A Rabbi's Path to Palestinian Solidarity” (www.rabbibrant.com ).

Rabbi Brant Rosen on his path from being a liberal Zionist to being in resolute solidarity with the horribly oppressed Palestinian people after the 2008/2009 Gaza Massacre (2012): “Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. —Genesis 32:25. This well-known Biblical episode leaves behind tantalizing questions. Who is the mysterious “man” with whom Jacob wrestles? What is his identity, and where did he come from? One popular interpretation suggests that the night stranger with whom Jacob struggles at this critical moment is none other than Jacob himself—perhaps his alter ego or his shadow self… On December 28, 2008, I read the first news report of Israel’s military assault on Gaza—a campaign that would soon be well-known as Operation Cast Lead. On the first day of operations, the Israeli Air Force destroyed Hamas security facilities in Gaza, killing more than 225 people, most of whom were new police cadets participating in a graduation ceremony. Numerous civilians, including children, were also among the dead. By the end of the day, it was clear we were only witnessing the beginning of a much longer and even more violent military campaign that would drive much farther into Gaza… After staring at my screen for what seemed like an eternity, I logged on to my blog and typed out a post entitled “Outrage in Gaza: No More Apologies.” I ended with a declaration—and a question: What Israel has been doing to the people of Gaza is an outrage. It has brought neither safety nor security to the people of Israel and it has wrought nothing but misery and tragedy upon the people of Gaza. There, I’ve said it. Now what do I do?.” [1, 2]

[1]. Rabbi Brant Rosen, “Wrestling in the Daylight: A Rabbi's Path to Palestinian Solidarity”, an excerpt from his new book published in Mondoweiss, 5 September 2012: http://mondoweiss.net/2012/09/wrestling-in-the-daylight-a-rabbis-path-to-palestinian-solidarity.html .

[2]. Rabbi Brant Rosen “Wrestling in the Daylight: A Rabbi's Path to Palestinian Solidarity”, Just World Books, 2012: http://justworldbooks.com/wrestling-in-the-daylight-a-rabbis-path-to-palestinian-solidarity/ .