[WBT Editor’s Note: I attended the launch of this book at the Multi-Faith centre last night (19 June 2012) along with about 50 other people. The editor of the book, Avigail Abarbanel, is an engaging and intelligent speaker who has produced a remarkable book telling the stories of Jewish peace activists. Avigail is pro-Palestinian supporter of the Boycott Divestments and Sanctions campaign against apartheid Israel. She supports the one state solution but is not proscriptive in how human and democratic rights can be restored in Palestine. I have just read the first story in the book (Am I an Activist ? by Sivan Barak) and found it a moving account of how Israeli and Palestinian could forge links to restore social justice in Palestine.]
Beyond Tribal Loyalties
Edited by Avigail Abarbanel
strong>There is an expectation in Jewish communities around the world that all Jews embrace Zionism and offer unquestioning support for Israel, right or wrong. Jewish identity and Zionism are commonly and deliberately blurred. Jews who criticise Israel or question Zionism are often excluded, vilified and threatened. If they express sympathy for the plight of the Palestinian people, they risk being branded as traitors and accused of supporting the enemies of Israel. Beyond Tribal Loyalties is a unique collection of twenty-five personal stories of Jewish peace activists from Australia, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Melbourne – Sunday 10-12 June
Sunday, 10 June, 3-4.30pm
Event: Forum ‘LimmudX: Too Hot to Handle?’ with Avigail Abarbanel and Book Contributors (Sivan Barak, Nicole Erlich, David Langsam, Vivienne Porzsolt ,Peter Slezak)
Chair: Dr June Factor, Australian Centre, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne
Supported by: Liberty Victoria and the Australian Jewish Democratic Society
Location: Monash University, Building B Room 2.18 Monash University, Caulfield Campus
More details: http://www.ajds.org.au/node/515
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/314099105337178/
Tuesday 12 June, 6pm
Event: Book launch at Readings, Carlton
Location: 309 Lygon Street, Carlton
RSVP: http://www.readings.com.au/carlton
Sydney – Thursday 14 – 16 June
Thursday, 14 June, 6pm
Event: Green Left Weekly and Jews Against the Occupation – Sydney Forum
Location: 22 Mountain Street, Ultimo
Host: Patrick Harrison
RSVP:Rachel, 0432 257 723
Friday 15 June, 1-3pm
Event: Public Forum with Avigail Abarbanel, Vivienne Porzsolt (Jews Against the Occupation), Peter Slezak (Ind. Australia Jewish Voices), NSW Friends of Palestine
Location: Waratah Room, NSW Parliament House
RSVP: mark.riboldi tel. (02) 9230 3030
Friday 15 June, 6pm for 6.30pm start
Event: Book launch at Gleebooks
Launcher: Associate Professor Jake Lynch
Location: 49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
RSVP: http://www.gleebook.com.au
Saturday 16 June, 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Event: Presentation
Host: NSW and ACT Relations with Other Faiths Committee (Rev. John Queripel)
Location: Wayside Chapel, Hughes Av, Kings Cross
RSVP: John, 0402 078 865
Brisbane – Tuesday 19 – 23 June
Tuesday, 19 June, 7:15pm
Event: Avigail speaking event at Multi-Faith Centre
Location: Griffith University, Nathan Campus.
Hosts: Wendy Flannary (Believing Women for a Culture of Peace) and Nora Amath (AMARAH Australian Muslim Advocates for the Rights of All Humanity).
Website: http://www.griffith.edu.au/community/multi-faith-centre
Wednesday, 20 June, 12-2pm
Event: Public Discussion with Avigail Abarbanel
Location: Bulimba Branch – City Council Library, Corner Oxford Street and Riding Road, Bulimba
RSVP: http://btlbulimba.eventbrite.com.au
Wednesday, 20 June, 6-8:30pm
Event: Public Discussion with Avigail Abarbanel
Location: Brisbane Square Branch – City Council Library, 266 George Street Brisbane
RSVP: http://btlbrisbanesquare.eventbrite.com.au
Friday, 22 June, 6pm
Event: Book Launch
Location: Avid Reader, 193 Boundary St, West End
Launcher: Dr Halim Rane, Griffith University
RSVP: http://www.avidreader.com.au
Saturday, 23 June 12 noon -2 pm
Event: Public Event in Byron Bay
Location: Byron Bay Community Centre, Verandah Roo, 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Host: Gareth Smith
RSVP: Gareth Smith, 0422 298 165
Perth – Thursday, 28 June, 6.30pm
Event: Public Discussion with Avigail Abarbanel
Host: Friends of Palestine WA
Location: State Library Theatre, Northbridge (ground floor, Francis Street entrance)View the event on Facebook.