Yom HaShoah-Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 18, 2012

Tomorrow—April 18, 2012—is Holocaust Remembrance Day in Canada. Here are a few websites and blogs of interest.

1 Listen to an audio clip on today’s CBC Calgary’s Homestretch program here. Program host interviewed Jewish playwright, Emily Talia Sztabzyb about her play, “The Treasure.”

2 Time and date.com provides information on Yom HaShoah, as well as a calendar listing the dates when the event is observed over the span of several years, here.

3 Canadian Society for Yad Vashem has a variety of items of interest, including events and videos, etc., here.

4 National Task Force on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research lists several Yom HaShoah events in the larger cities across Canada here.

5 The Atlantic Jewish Council lists several Yom HaShoah events in various towns and cites of Atlantic Canada here.

6 Doing Jewish In Toronto has a listing of several events in that city here.

7 Read the Wikipedia article on Yom HaShoah here.

  

Christ and Thomas

Thomas has been known as the patron saint of the sceptics and doubters. Most of us I think can identify with him, since in our faith and life journey, we have times of scepticism and doubt too. As the old adage goes, there are at least a thousand words in a picture, one of my favourite works of art that depicts the risen Christ with Thomas is from Malaysian artist, Hanna-Cheriyan Varghese, titled, “My Lord & My God,” acrylic and paper, dating back to 2001. The artist, I think, captures beyond words, the depth of reverence, mystery and awe of Thomas and the other disciples, in the presence of the risen Christ.   

Amnesty International launches human rights mission to South Sudan

Amnesty International Canada’s Secretary-General Alex Neve arrives today in South Sudan. He is joining an important human rights research mission called to investigate attacks on villages and aerial bombings of the tens of thousands of civilians living in vulnerable conditions along the border region of Sudan and the world’s newest country, South Sudan.

   We wish Alex and the team of AI researchers our best, and pray for their safety as they travel to remote and volatile areas, doing the important work of gathering first-hand reports from those affected by the violence in the region.

 

 

Holy Week Music

Arvo Part’s St John Passion is one of my favourite Holy Week works that never ceases to inspire me.

Dr. Harold Brackman’s Report

 Historian and Simon Wiesenthal Center consultant Dr. Harold Brackman, has authored Europe and the Jews 2012: Dramatic Rise in Anti-Jewish, Anti-Israel Prejudice detailing the current crisis in Europe.

   Covering anti-Semitic hate crimes, Holocaust denial, anti-Zionism, extreme right and left anti-Jewish and anti-Israel conspiracies, and listing country-specific trends, the newest report details the current crisis in Europe and finally concludes with what can be done to combat the growth of anti-Semitism and Jew hatred in Europe today.

   This is very troublesome, and for these trends to continue all it takes, as the period prior to the Holocaust has proven, is for ordinary people to turn a blind eye and do nothing for evil and hatred like this to prosper and flourish. I’m reminded of the following words of Pastor Martin Niemoeller: “In Germany,” he wrote, “they came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak.” I hope and pray that there will be enough people of good will around the world who do speak up and act against such evil and hatred to reverse these troublesome trends.

Instead of arresting George Clooney and his dad, arrest despot Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and other despots

 Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. This is certainly one of those Stories, even though George Clooneyand his dad have been released from jail, they should never have been arrested in the first place. Rather, despots like Omar al-Bashir should be arrested immediately and brought to justice before the International Criminal Court, which issued a warrant for his arrest back in 2009. Yet, he is allowed to travel freely, and avoid being brought to justice for his alleged crimes.

   In this same vein, I have recently supported Amnesty International’s appeal to the UN Secretary General, urging further arrests of fugitives from the International Criminal Court.

   The 11 with outstanding International Criminal Court arrest warrants are: Democratic Republic of Congo: Bosco Ntaganda, whom the ICC has charged with enlisting and conscripting children under 15. The Congolese government is shielding him following his integration into the national army.   Uganda: Accused Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony and LRA commanders Vincent Otti, Okot Odhiambo, and Dominic Ongwen continue to evade trial after being charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes. They and the fighters they lead continue to move between the Central African Republic, north-eastern DRC and South Sudan and commit crimes.   Sudan: President Omar al-Bashir has been charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Darfur region. He has yet to be arrested despite regularly conducting state visits abroad. Sudanese officials Ahmad Harun and Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein and accused “Janjaweed” leader Al! i Kushayb are also at large.   Libya: Saif al Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi are charged with crimes against humanity committed during the crackdown on protesters in Libya. Saif al-Islam was captured on 19 November 2011, but has not yet been surrendered to the ICC.

   The UN has a critical role to play by providing political, diplomatic, and logistical support for efforts to arrest individuals named in ICC arrest warrants and to protect civilians in countries where the ICC is investigating crimes.

   I encourage readers of my blog to take action to protect victims of war criminals, please consider these actions: 1. Write a letter – A hand-written letter is Amnesty International’s oldest, and time-proven method of getting results. Please address the points in our online action, and address your letter, “Dear Secretary General” Address your letter to: Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon United Nations Secretariat New York, NY 10017 Affix $1.80 (Canada postage). Or you can go here to take action on this issue online. 2. Make a financial gift in support of Amnesty International’s human rights work – Your donations help A.I. mobilize letter-writers, publish highly respected human rights reports, and campaign directly to decision-makers. To donate now, go here.

Thank you and may God bless you as you work for justice and peace for the world’s most vulnerable.

 

Book review of the days before easter

the days before easter  

W.A. Poovey, Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 128 pages

Softcover

 

A brief review by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

 

Some books I struggle to read through only once; others I might read twice; and a few rare ones I’ll keep going back to and read several times. the days before easter, in my humble opinion, is worth reading over and over again. It is one of my all-time favourite books to read during the season of Lent.

   Although the volume is a mere 128 pages, the content is incredible. Not only is it well written—Professor Poovey has organized the material in a well thought out fashion that holds the reader’s interest as if it were a fast-paced, page-turner novel.

   After a brief “About this book,” the content is divided up into three parts: Part 1. The Story of Lent, Part 2. Preparing for Easter, and Part 3. Devotions for Lent. In Part 1, there are eleven short chapters titled respectively: A time for reflection, A time for repentance, A time for rejoicing, Four men tell the story, Prophecy fulfilled, Origins of Lent, Customs of Lent, Hymns of Lent, Poetry of Lent, Sustenance of life, The end of Lent. Part 2 consists of eight brief chapters: Let’s have a Seder, Fasting and sacrifice, Who were the people? Symbols of Lent, A Lenten prayer list, A book for Lent, I am Pilate, Meditation for Lent. Part 3 contains forty-seven devotions—four the forty days of Lent, plus the Sundays—all based on the Book of Isaiah. One critique I have of the chapter A time for repentance in Part 2 is that Professor Poovey could have added some comment about the need for Christians to repent of the anti-Semitism and ant-Judaism of centuries past, which were incited no less by Christian leaders during the season of Lent. Another critique I have of the chapter Let’s have a Seder in Part 2 is that although the author tries to be sensitive and respectful toward the Jewish people and this important meal of Judaism’s Passover festival—he even advises Christians to consult with a local rabbi in planning a Seder—he stops short of actually counselling Christians to attend a Jewish Seder in a synagogue or Jewish home.

   All-in-all, this small tome, and albeit older and out of print, still is worth reading by pastors and laity alike for a wealth of information on the season of Lent.   

Book Reviews

A Hidden Wholeness The Journey Toward an Undivided Life: Welcoming the Soul and weaving community in a wounded world Parker J. Palmer, San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint, 260 pages $23.95, Paperback

 

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

 

Parker J. Palmer is, among other things, a Quaker by faith; as well as a passionate and gifted teacher and writer. This volume is a helpful resource and handbook for teachers and students; clergy and parishioners; and employers and workers from a variety of backgrounds who are interested in improving the quality of their lives both individually and collectively.

   Reflecting on the content of this work, there are three insights that ring true and are worthy of further examination and practice, if the Spirit so moves.

   First, Palmer suggests that the soul is like a wild animal. A wild animal is shy of human beings or predators and keeps them at a safe distance to ensure survival and safety. The human soul is also shy according to Palmer, and cannot be forced to come out and reveal itself to others—especially when it feels threatened or coerced to do so.

   Second, the human soul opens up and reveals itself only in an environment where silence and careful listening are practiced; sharing is purely voluntary not demanded; confidentiality is kept; and folks are not to fix, nor advise, nor save, and not set each other straight; open rather than direct or confronting questions are asked; paradoxical truth is explored where differences of perspective are respected and valued.  

   Third, the coming out and revealing of the human soul and the inner teacher is most likely to happen in the context of a circle of trust group or clearness committee; which, if the ground rules are clear and observed can assist people in living an undivided life and discern their vocation.

   The last section of the book also includes a helpful reader’s and group leader’s guide to put into practice Palmer’s teachings. An added bonus is a DVD with even more resources to get to know the book and author better.   

As I Journey On: Meditations for Those Facing Death Sharon Dardis and Cindy Rogers, Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 128 pages, Paperback

 

Reviewed by Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

 

Sharon Dardis, a registered nurse working with the dying, and Cindy Rogers, a teacher and writer, have provided readers with a wide spectrum of stories of the dying and their loved ones.

   The work is very reader-friendly and was born out of Cindy’s mother’s request to assist her in her journey toward death. The authors’ endeavour to view the process of dying and death not as a taboo, but rather as a necessary part of life. They presuppose questions like: What is a good death? How does a dying person and their family best prepare for death?

   Each chapter has a theme title, and includes an introductory quotation from various sources, including the Bible. The wide variety of chapter theme titles and quotations remind the reader of the diverse ways in which human beings journey through dying and death.

   After the theme title and introductory quotation, the format of each chapter consists of: a story, a brief prayer, a question to ponder, and a resolution with the title, “Today I will.”

For example, in the chapter with the theme title of “Memories,” the introductory quotation is from Isaiah 49:15-16: “Yet I will not forget you…See! I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” The story told is about a children’s grief group that was asked by Sharon Dardis, the facilitator, to bring a memento of their deceased loved one. There was one boy who did not bring a memento. However, what he shared with the group was how his grandpa taught him to wiggle his ears—much to the delight of everyone present. This prayer was included after the story: “Lord, keep me alive always in my loved ones’ memories. Help me today to continue to create moments that last and to remember that sometimes it is the smallest event that bears the most lasting mark. Amen.” (p. 98) Rounding out this chapter was this Question To Ponder: “How do I want to be remembered?” And this Today I Will: “Create one lasting memory with a loved one.” (p. 98)

   The book concludes with a helpful Bibliography, stating the sources consulted for each of the chapters. This wee volume shall be a beneficial resource to the dying and their loved ones.     

 

CCCJ Winter Workshop

CCCJ Event

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 17,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.