Rwanda and Darfur refugees

April 7th is the official commemoration day of the genocide in Rawanda, marking the horrific dark day in 1994 where 100 days of rape, shouting and killing started.

I went to one event and missed another. Jacqueline`s human rights corner, event was about commemoration and dialogue. Survivors told their story, activists shared what the have done, al in a very calmtone, not hatred was in the air just the pain, I was fascinated by Jacqueline, who committed herself as a survivor to prevent the next genocide, and buy Mary Kaytesi Blewitt that founded SURF, their ability to translate the pain and anger to good deeds is inspirational.

other spekers were Yvette Rugasaguhunga, Robert F Van Lierop and Taylor Krauss. It was moderated by Dr. John Woodall.

Few tears and thoughts came to my mind. The narrative, the faces and the described methods of mass killing were too familiar for someone who went through the Israeli Holocaust Education system, and just because of that extremely painful.

We promised NEVER AGAIN.
But it happened again and we didnt do much.
Not in 1994 in Rwanda.
Not now with Darfur.

Definitely not by closing the only clinic that assists the refugees in Tel Aviv.
I am joining Shuki with his appeal and urging you ,my dear readers, to do something about it.
They deserve medical care.
They are refugees.

How can we stand on their blood andargue this has nothing to do with us??

We are spilling some blood here.

Not Jewish blood, but who said our blood is better? Is that why we are ignoring the refugees from Darfur???

We should stop.

Never again, right???

The other event is this:

NEW YORK STUDENTS UNITE TO CALL FOR AIDS RELIEF FOR RWANDAN GENOCIDE SURVIVORS

(NEW YORK, 7th April 2008) Students from across New York united in Washington Square Park to read the testimonies of Rwandan survivors to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide and to call on the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator to recognize HIV+ survivors in Rwanda as an at-risk population eligible for antiretroviral treatment.

Students from New York University, Columbia University, Yeshiva University, along with local high schools, each read one of 100 testimonies of young survivors, many of whom were girls raped and infected with HIV and AIDS during the genocide, in The Reading of the Testimonies NYC. It is estimated that almost 3,000 people passed through the square during the four-hour event, which served to reach a wider public to inform and educate more people about the genocide.

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) currently recognizes prisoners but not survivors as an at-risk population for priority for antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Despite the fact that many survivors are HIV+ today due to a systematic program of rape and deliberate infection during the genocide, many are denied access to the treatment available to the men that raped them. The campaign launched at The Reading of the Testimonies NYC calls on the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, which sets the policy of PEPFAR, to recognize the plight of survivors and to ensure that they are given equal access to HIV and AIDS counselling, testing and treatment.

The testimonies, which were read consecutively from 10am to 2pm, were supplemented by talks from New York based survivors including Jacqueline Murekatete and Marie-Claudine Mukamabano, as well as Rwandans working to support survivors including Mary Kayitesi Blewitt and Gasana Mutesi. All spoke on the importance of commemorating the genocide and the importance of the event in New York in demonstrating solidarity and support for the cause of the survivors.

Mary Kayitesi Blewitt OBE, Founder of SURF, who lead the event commented:

“Last month, a conference was convened in Canada by genocide revisionists questioning, downplaying and even denying the genocide – reinforcing the importance of today’s act of remembrance. The Reading of the Testimonies NYC not only serves to remember the victims, but by giving a voice to survivors also serves as a call on the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator to recognize HIV+ survivors as an at-risk population for antiretroviral treatment. With the Reading of the Testimonies NYC, we ask that the right of HIV+ survivors for equal access to antiretroviral treatment is recognized in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.”

She added:

“There is no simple way of enacting justice, but by securing access to AIDS Relief then at least women survivors can look forward again to a future. The support that New York students demonstrated today to remember the victims of the genocide, and to support the survivors call for AIDS Relief, is another step towards securing justice for survivors.”

The event was the first outdoor event to be held in New York commemorating the genocide. The event was staged in association with an array of organizations working to support survivors in New York, including Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, Kuki Ndiho, Foundation Rwanda, Voices of Rwanda, Agahozo Shalom Youth Village, Amani Africa, Orphans of Rwanda, Wagner Student Alliance for Africa and Wagner International Public Service Association.

- END -

New York is good.
Will write soon about Rawanda, PEJE, brunch and about a guy who told me he is honoured to have shaken my hand.
yes.

Moi, the El Al scary flight Feminist

I more a feminist than a religious person.

My seat was 41K.perfect, near the window. I seated my self put all my belongings in the compartments above, got myself cosy and then 5 minutes before take off two Haredi boys around 16 approach my row (41 rocks!), and tell me I am in the wrong seat. No I said. I am in the right seat. Then, without apologizing, while talking in Yiddish among themselves they asked me if I am willing to move, so they wont sit near me, a fabulous tempting women, very very seductive at 1 am in the morning.

I thought about it and said No.

If they dont want to sit near me they should find themselves a different seat.

I could have been generous, tolerant and switch to another window seat they found (Yiddish is a great commonly secret language on ElAl flights), but I felt I am doing it in the sake of other women, why should a women move for a man??? The same with women on buses, why should they move to the back. thje man should. If he doesnt want to be near a women he should make theeffort, she shouldnt hide.

I asked the Yeshiva Bucher,what happened to Kvod Habriot - respect to others, why should I move if he doesn't want to sit near me???

The angry femenist took all over me. One of the guys called me mishegenne.old him he is absalootley charming. needless to say he wasnt happy when I asked him to stand asI wanted to go to the toilets.

Imagine it yourself.


And I am proud of it.

אני נוסעת הערב לארה"ב. ניו יורק, דטרויט, ניו יורק, בוסטון, ניו יורק, לונג איילנד.

מתארחת בקהילה קונסרבטיטיבית לשבת, משתתפת בכנס,
מעבירה פעילות בבית כנסת ונחה.

וקניות.

ויהיה טוב.

So I have this list. Its quite embarrasing. Its the list of my 5 most desired men. Its not about the looks. or the money. I usually like them geeky and poor.

I am not going to share the whole list with you.
Just this.

אורנג' ואריק איינשטיין משנים את העולם

התחושות שלי מעורבות,
מצד אחד, מה רע במעט אריק אינשטיין בימי צעירותו? תוי הפנים החדים, הבלורית, המבט הממיס, של אחד שלא איכפת לו ובעצם איכפת לו מאד.

מצד שני, אריק אינשטיין??? פרסומת? אם בארזים נפלה שלהבת מה יגידו בוגרי כוכב נולד?

משימה

עליך לתאר ולמפות, את התהליך כולו.
את מוזמנת להסתייע
בתרשימים, מפות ועובדות
היסטוריות, אך בבקשה נא
להקפיד על מילוי
המשימה בשלמותה.


מתי, ובאיזה רשות בדיוק, ויתרת על בית והפקרת גבולך לכל עבר
על מנת לחמוק מההריסות
שנותרו מאחור.

מי יודע אם לא לעת
כזאת הגעת.

Its absoloutley awful.

How can a mother abuse her childern in such away?
How can she turn a blind eye to sexual abuse among her childern?
Where is the father?


We all can say that we knew its odd. the way they over dressed showed something is wtrong. We have never imagined it will be so horrific.

I am sure God rathers women showing thier face, or maybe even thier own elbows than all of this happening.

Closure

It feels good, closure.

I handed in all my 2007 papers thanks to Ben Gurion university who accepted my request to hand in papers in such delay due to the surgery and the recovery.

I realize what a long way I came. I managed to finish all my 2007 duties, as if it never happened.

I am 6 years younger now, and happy as I have never been before.

פתאום אני מגלה כי
פורים הוא חג חברתי ואני לא ממש בנויה

לזה.

everyday is Purim, for me at least

Sometimes I feel like Amy Walker.

Found this gem here.

I handed in two papers today.

Well done to me.

Its a well known fact I am a complete procasinnator.
Yet today I managed to:

1. Set a dentesist apponintment
2. Set another doctors appointment
3. Call my bank, and actually talk with a banker
4. Go to Misrad Harishui - worst berucracy ever to get a car liecience
5. Go to the post office, pay for my car liecence
6. Buy an Easy Park - sppousely will make parking easier, a hint of no reports.
7. Sell some old books for 100 shekels.
8. Sat for 6 hours of writing.

I am changing.

Its a fact.

At least the spellingmistakes are here to stay.

ואיך שהאור בעיניים מכאיב

אך מה רבה האמת

את רואה את העולם כמו שהוא

עקור הסברים וקישוטים.

אושר?

זה בשביל אנשים אחרים.

Music I like

Nimrod Eldar has this new song, played alot on 88FM where I first heard it.

Maor Cohen cover version of a fab song from the 70`s. his version is more rocky. He kept the feminine language - as if a women is singing, which gives a whole radical, angry kick to it. less sad maybe.

Ruth Dolores Weiss. what a voice.

Enjoy

2nd blog birthday

This is my 2nd Blog birthday today.
And look what a nice surprise.

I am the first google entry for my favourite Shwarama.

Respect

My dear friend David Peretz organized a rock concert to syupport Sderot and the near by Kibbutzim. you can see some of it here.

ושנאת הגוף, מתי היא החלה? האם בבוקר עת התבוננת במראה והבחנת בעיבוי הירכיים ודלדולה של הזרוע? כאשר הבחנת במבטי גברים עוגבים? כאשר לעגו לך לראשונה על קפלי הבטן? מתי זה התחיל? מתי הפסקת לאהוב את עצמך?

שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת:
מִמַּעֲמַקִּים קְרָאתִיךָ יְהוָה.
אֲדֹנָי, שִׁמְעָה בְקוֹלִי:
תִּהְיֶינָה אָזְנֶיךָ, קַשֻּׁבוֹת-- לְקוֹל, תַּחֲנוּנָי.
אִם-עֲו‍ֹנוֹת תִּשְׁמָר-יָהּ-- אֲדֹנָי, מִי יַעֲמֹד.
כִּי-עִמְּךָ הַסְּלִיחָה-- לְמַעַן, תִּוָּרֵא.
קִוִּיתִי יְהוָה, קִוְּתָה נַפְשִׁי; וְלִדְבָרוֹ הוֹחָלְתִּי.
נַפְשִׁי לַאדֹנָי-- מִשֹּׁמְרִים לַבֹּקֶר, שֹׁמְרִים לַבֹּקֶר.
יַחֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶל-יְהוָה: כִּי-עִם-יְהוָה הַחֶסֶד; וְהַרְבֵּה עִמּוֹ פְדוּת.
וְהוּא, יִפְדֶּה אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל-- מִכֹּל, עֲו‍ֹנֹתָיו.

Damien Rice and David Gray - Que sera...