Daniel Lubetzky

My father, Roman Lubetzky, was a rarity among survivors of concentration camps. Most of his fellow survivors either were immersed in the horror of the Holocaust and sadly embittered by it, or were determined to shut it out of their lives and never again talk about it.   My Dad would talk about it to anyone who would listen, and would reignite suffering as he recounted his experiences as a little kid from 9 when the war started to 15 when he was rescued from Dachau. 

And yet he always talked about it with humanistic positive hope for the future, emphasizing the importance of building bridges and preventing the suffering of any human being.  He taught me compassion for the Palestinian cause, just as he was a fervent believer in Israel as the one homeland of the Jewish people.

Ziad Asali, whose latest article is here, is among the very few people I have ever met who reminds me of the moral courage that my Dad had – to proudly wear his historic pain on his shoulders, not to recriminate and as a way to guilt others, but as a responsibility to forge a better way for his people and for humanity.

Most Palestinians and Israelis would want to move on with their lives and would accept a two state solution.  But not enough people take it upon themselves to bring it about.

In the meantime, passionate minorities with far more extremist perspectives – that would deny the right of the other side to freedom, dignity, respect, security, and a State of their own – take it upon themselves to speak loudly – as often evidenced by those who take the time to express mean comments on these boards, from either extreme side.

Only if people like Ziad Asali lead the way will this conflict and the suffering that comes with it come to an end.  Anything other than a two state SOLUTION is just an illusion that will condemn those who live there with continued hatred and war.

The greatest wisdom stems not from knowing a fact or another, but from being able to anticipate and visualize the future:

“Eize hu haham, haroe et hanolad.”

Roughly translated as:
“Who is the smart one? The one who can visualize what will be born.”

- Pirkei Abbot

This article fills me with sadness and anger at this deep injustice, including against the most defenseless in society. This is not behavior worthy of civilized society or consistent with Jewish & human values. It is also inspiring to see some community members who have so much courage to do the right thing. They deserve all our support.

The attached Arabic website links to an Israeli Channel 10 video revealing back-channel negotiations where Khaled Maashal from Hamas apparently offered Olmert a peace deal in exchange for permitting Hamas to lead and rule in Gaza, and presumably eventually across Palestine.  The offer never got off the ground. But just the plausibility that Hamas/Maashal offered such terms is causing enormous commotion within Palestine.  Beyond weakening Hamas and Maashal and strengthening Abbas and Fatah, it legitimizes the path of negotiations and reconciliation.  But more troubling, it may drive deeper divisions within Hamas and possibly isolate any moderating influences and prevent a reconciliation that would allow centrists in Hamas and Fatah to do a responsible coalition to negotiate a two state solution with Israel.

Prevention Magazine awarded KIND Healthy Grains Peanut Butter Whole Grain Clusters with its Healthy Food Award, affirming that KIND Healthy Grains provide a tasty snack that’s good for you too! Prevention prefers Healthy Grains over other granolas because this healthy snack contains more whole grains and less fat and sugar. Editors enjoyed the crunchy peanut butter clusters with nut milk and by the handful.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Julianna Storch

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Check out this excerpt from Town & Country, honoring KIND as one of the hot items at TED!

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

After taking a closer look at the Meditalia Olive Tapenade, a Brooklyn Co-op member realizes that there is more behind the spread than just its ingredients.  Check out this well written article to see how PeaceWorks made an impression on Leah Koenig during the debates in Park Slope.

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky, by Adeena Schlussel

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Orni Petrushka, Gilead Sher and Ami Ayalon wrote a very thoughtful and compelling opinion piece in the New York Times that should be required reading for anyone who cares about Israel and/or Palestine.  The time has come for citizens, communities and governments in the region and globally to start making a two state solution a reality.  With positive facts on the ground.  OneVoice and the PeaceWorks Foundation will hopefully be deepening their work in this direction also.

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Dr. Oz, one of the top health authorities in the media, can’t just confine KIND to his briefcase- he has shouted it out on national TV.  Dr. Oz told the viewers of his show that he “truly adores” KIND and keeps it stashed in his briefcase at all times.  Dr. Oz praised KIND’s high protein and fiber that make KIND bars a good post dinner snack!

Spotted by Daniel Lubetzky by Adeena Schlussel

"Our good fortune allowed us to feel a sadness that our parents didn’t have time for."
-Ewan McGregor’s character in the excellent movie, Beginners.