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CREATED:20090914T000600Z
DESCRIPTION:List yourself as a supporter of the Jewish Fast for Gaza. \n\nThe Jewish 
 Fast for Gaza is an ad hoc group of rabbis, Jews, and people of conscience 
 who have committed to undertake a monthly daytime fast in support of the 
 following goals: \n\n1. To call for a lifting of the blockade that prevents 
 the entry of civilian goods and services into Gaza; \n\n2. To provide 
 humanitarian and developmental aid to the people of Gaza; \n\n3. To call 
 upon Israel, the US, and the international community to engage in 
 negotiations without pre-conditions with all relevant Palestinian parties - 
 including Hamas - in order to end the blockade; \n\n4. To encourage the 
 American government to vigorously engage both Israelis and Palestinians 
 toward a just and peaceful settlement of the conflict. \n\nBackground: \nDo 
 not stand idly by when your neighbor’s blood is being spilled (Leviticus 
 19:16). \n\nAs Jews and people of conscience, we can no longer stand idly 
 by Israel’s collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza. 
 \n\nSince Hamas’ electoral victory in January 2006, Israel has subjected 
 the Gaza Strip to an increasingly intolerable blockade that restricts 
 Gaza's ability to import food, fuel and other essential materials, and to 
 export finished products. As a result, the Gazan economy has completely 
 collapsed. Most of Gaza's industrial plants have been forced to close, 
 further contributing to already high levels of unemployment and poverty and 
 rising levels of childhood malnutrition. \n\nOn three things the world 
 stands: on justice, on truth, and on peace (Mishnah Avot 1:18). \n\nFrom 
 this we learn that justice, truth and peace are interdependent and 
 irrevocably intertwined. Thus we cannot separate our call for justice in 
 Gaza from the painful truth of this conflict and the ongoing tragedy of war 
 in this tortured region. We condemn Hamas’ deliberate targeting of 
 Israeli civilians. Out of the same ethical commitments we also condemn the 
 use of much greater violence by the Israeli government, causing many more 
 deaths of Palestinian civilians. Since the end of Israel's recent military 
 campaign, the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza has grown all the more 
 dire. \n\nThe Fast: \nIs this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the 
 bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go 
 free, and that you break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6) \n\nIn Jewish 
 tradition a communal fast is held in times of crisis both as an expression 
 of mourning and a call to repentance. In this spirit, Ta’anit Tzedek – 
 Jewish Fast for Gaza is a collective act of conscience initiated by an ad 
 hoc group of rabbis, Jews, people of faith, and all concerned with the 
 ongoing crisis in Gaza. \n\nThis water-only fast will take place on the 
 third Thursday of the month, beginning on July 16, 2009, from sunrise to 
 sunset. In addition to signing on to the statement above, participants are 
 asked to donate the money they save on food to the Milk for Preschoolers 
 Campaign of the American Near Eastern Refugee Aid (ANERA). This important 
 relief campaign combats malnutrition among Gazan preschool children through 
 daily provisions of fortified milk and high energy biscuits. \n\nThose who 
 are unable to fast for the entire day are encouraged to engage in a partial 
 fast or to find their own meaningful ways to observe the day. Participants 
 may also initiate public events in different communities that will further 
 the goals of the fast. \n\nWe invite additional rabbis to join our minyan 
 and all people of conscience to join in the fast. To be listed as a 
 supporter of the fast, please fill out the form below. Your email address 
 will not be displayed on the list of supporters. 
 \n\nhttp://www.fastforgaza.net/\nAdd Your Comments \n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/09/13/18621839.php
SUMMARY:Fast for Gaza All Day
LOCATION:Everywhere
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/09/13/18621839.php
DTSTART:20090917T080000Z
DTEND:20090917T200000Z
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