Daniel Lubetzky

Check out some of these incredibly creative bus ads that were sent to me by a friend!

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.
– Henry Ward Beecher

Ruth Gavison just wrote one of the only sufficiently nuanced and appropriately balanced pieces I have read on the issue of the proposed pledge of allegiance for immigrants who want to become Israeli citizens.  Too many issues in this conflict are used as weapons from the left or the right to score points. 

In critiquing some of the elements of the approach at present but also dismissing blanket accusations against this law, she writes:

A nation is under no obligation to grant citizenship to anyone and it most certainly does not have to grant citizenship to an individual who is opposed to key elements in its creed. A nation is under no obligation to "volunteer" to accept those how object to its fundamental goals as residents or citizens, nor does it have to accept those who will become a financial, social or political burden.

People interested in the issue should carefully read her piece.

For those who think Gavison is a right wing militant trying to justify Lieberman’s rants, here is some context: I took a course from Gavison back in 1989 when I was studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and she had a reputation for being a bit of a radical leftist.  The truth, as always elusive on these issues, was that Gavison was a principled academic who, like with this article, called it like she saw it, even if she angered people on the “left” or on the “right.”  By no means perfect (as the issue itself is a difficult one), this piece is good food for thought.

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The German Historical Museum has a new exhibit featuring household items emblazoned with the Nazi logo, depicting how wide spread Nazi support was in Germany during World War Two. According to an article in the New York Times, these items emphasize how crucial the support of the people was in bolstering Hitler’s power.  Without society, Hitler was nothing, but with their support he was all powerful– a scary thought with an obvious lesson in thinking for one’s self and standing for what is right.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, redacted by Adeena Schlussel

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If you can imagine it, you can create it.

If you can dream it, you can become it.

–William Arthur Ward

By Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

Walkers Crisps is making a splash both with an environmentally favorable plan, as well as a humorous ad announcing the chance to vote for a new flavor.  (See both the article and video clip below.)  According to an article in The Grocer, the UK executives are looking at the potential of making the crisp packets out of potato skins to enhance the biodegradability of the bags, as well as minimize waste.  We admire their plans to be KIND to consumers’ taste buds and the world!

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Check out this hysterical Cadbury Commercial that is a great example of creative, funny, and subsequently effective, advertising.

by Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

In a New York Times article a couple of years ago, Steven Pinker discussed morality and specifically, when it comes to a head with culture, preferences and evolving standards.  Pinker’s conclusion makes an important point that an adversary’s opinion may seem completely immoral, when in fact it is “in the throes of a moral mind-set that appears to them to be every bit as mandatory and universal as ours does to us.”  Whether morality should be an immutable and universal code, or if it should be more subjective and evolve with the ages, it is crucial to remember that our personal inclinations should never “get in the way of doing the right thing.”

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By Adeena Schlussel on behalf of Daniel Lubetzky

A recent article in Haaretz tells that the PA has just adopted a textbook for school children that presumably depicts the shared historical narratives of both the Palestinians and Israeli Zionist Movements, in effort to promote co-existence through education.  Israel, on the other hand has rejected this book from its curriculum.  Vetting and implementing this textbook would be a beautiful step in furthering Israeli and Palestinian children’s comprehension of the conflict, and its origins and complexities, and would hopefully foster an understanding between children on opposing sides of the conflict. Let’s hope that Israel implements the book soon, and that both sides maintain the progressive sentiment that this effort reflects.

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Check out Ezzeldeen Masri’s vision for Palestine in 2018.  I hope that his vision for peace and cooperation continue to spread beyond OneVoice and inspire widespread change that the nations need at this time.