Daniel Lubetzky

The tensions each of us is feeling at OneVoice as we have so much on our plates to accomplish are palpable.  This weekend I go back to the Middle East, to support OneVoice Palestine and OneVoice Israel on their efforts.  Earlier today we held our last team meeting with the NY staff.  Prior to starting, I asked each team member to share their greatest source of frustration and their greatest source of excitement.  The answers were interesting:

Jake:
Greatest Frustration: when people don’t get it, don’t realize what is at stake, don’t realize the potential to forge change.
Greatest Hope: when really smart people who have been around for quite a while look at this and say, wow, this thing can really transform the region.

Darya:
Greatest Frustration: Getting Sick right in the middle of this whole thing and not being able to distinguish anymore between frustrations from being ill vs. frustrations from all the burdens of this big campaign; [about half the office is under the weather, staying up late at night and working long hours]
Greatest Excitement: Her Majesty Queen Noor Joining as Honorary Co-Chair today.

Erin:
Greatest Frustration: Being Sick Also!
Greatest Excitement: Yahoo Signing Up to Web-stream the OneVoice Summit Live

Natalie:
Greatest Frustration: when so many people are out because of the Jewish or Muslim Holidays and we need them now, to complete the SMS platform and other tasks;
Greatest Excitement: That amidst all the stress, the office environment is constructive and supportive, with everyone united, respectful, and positive

Adee:
Greatest Frustration: Not enough time in the day, the email box is out of control; and on top of executing Oct 18, we need to raise funds and organize fundraising efforts in the midst of the campaign.
Greatest Excitement: A number of hawkish right-wing hold-outs are coming on board and embracing the OneVoice message and methodology; even her Dad is getting involved and is proud (though from what I have seen, he is ALWAYS proud of Adee)

Laurel:
Greatest Disappointment; A friend canceled an after-party in Jericho [because of misinformation, being co-opted by negative voices that threaten the action of moderates, and are threatened thereby]
Greatest Excitement: A training session for student activists in DC included an impressive array of activists totally passionate and committed to the cause.

Alana:
Greatest Frustration: Microsoft Outlook2003, and all that it involves: out of control email, hard to keep up,
Greatest Hope: realizing this IS going to HAPPEN.  Friends from both sides coming to listen.

Miriam:
Greatest Frustration: realizing that pulling off the event in Capitol Hill/Washington DC will be harder than imagined and that key elements are daunting.
Greatest Excitement: a great army of students, a great program, and scores of people coming from across country to the DC event.