Dear beloved, Palestine/Israel has often been “an elephant in the chalice” for some Unitarian Universalists, a topic that is not discussed but which people have strong feelings about. This lack of being openly addressed has been problematic in some congregations, and especially so since the tragic events of October 7, 2023, and the aftermath. Experience in many UU congregations shows that people are relieved and comforted by having an opportunity to listen to one another and engage with trusted resources. It is a topic that is not going away, especially with current escalations. When there is hurt and anxiety in congregants, there is anxiety in the congregational system. We hope to help you embrace the needs of your people on this topic. Are you aware of, and are the people at your congregation connected to, the resources needed to engage in reflection and action in response to the long-standing situation in Palestine and Israel? If not, we can support you in learning about what is available. If you already have some resources, perhaps this email will provide more ideas. UUs for Justice in the Middle East, founded in 1971, is a Related Social Justice Organization of the UUA. We are reaching out to UU congregations to build awareness of important resources and spaces for engagement that are designed for Unitarian Universalists. Our current project is to match congregations with the resources that are most suitable. In our experience, many UUs need supportive spaces to learn about and process this topic. UUs with heritage from the region are particularly impacted. There UUs with Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) heritage who are deeply pained by the ongoing violence. There are Jewish UUs who are hurting. And other UUs are also impacted by the events. The UUA President, the Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, has called on the UU community not to turn away from the situation. Better understanding will empower Unitarian Universalists to align better with our aspiration to be a liberatory faith. Increased engagement can involve us more consistently in dismantling racism and other oppressions as well as in building a stronger beloved community. Learning to embrace conflict around understanding can be a blessing of individual and congregational growth. UUs for Justice in the Middle East has a mission of educating Unitarian Universalists on Palestine/Israel, in ways that provide for safe exploration and understanding. This church year we are supporting several online spaces for UUs to engage. Our values include an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural lens, centering the most impacted, and building a container where people will listen to each other. We have received a double grant from the UU Funding Program to support a year of vital education and outreach. Here is a link to a printable flyer listing the multiple learning and processing spaces we offer and support. We invite you to print and display it where such items are placed at your building. We support the following:
Our calendar with RSVP links is available at https://www.uujme.org/uujme_ We offer a Palestine/Israel 101 Teach-In each month. On October 9, we are hosting a talk by the authors of Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide for Fighting Antisemitism. Our next monthly Palestine/Israel 101 Teach-In is happening on Thursday October 24. We send email updates that can be subscribed to at https://www.uujme.org/join. UUJME’s national organizers, India Wood and Jolly Hollamon, links to their bios here, are ready to meet with UUs on Zoom or by phone to discuss the unique needs of the local context, and to match your congregation with learning opportunities. They can be contacted at organizer@uujme.org and jolly@uujme.org. People can also schedule a meeting directly with India or Jolly by setting up time on their Calendly calendar at a convenient time: The UUJME President, Dana Fisher Ashrawi, can be contacted at uujme@uujme.org. Thanks for your time in reading our email. Whether the subject of Palestine/Israel is an elephant in the chalice or openly discussed and engaged with in your setting, we have meaningful spaces and resources that match your situation, and we look forward to connecting with you about it! Warmly, Dana, Jolly, and India
Our vision is of a just peace in Palestine-Israel that reflects our UU values of respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every human being and justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Our mission is to work within the Unitarian Universalist community to educate and mobilize individuals, congregations and denominational leaders to recognize and counter inequality and injustice in Palestine-Israel and to support our allies in the global justice and anti-oppression movements. Copyright © 2024 UUJME All rights reserved. This is a one-time email to UU congregations that is being sent based on guidelines from UUA Data Services. |
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| -=-=-Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East · P.O. Box 380355, Cambridge, MA 02238-0355, United States |
