Solidarity with Israel

Editor: April 9, a special day of remembrance of the Shoah and its victims is on the horizon. At this time in history, the words "Never again" seem shallow and have lost their power in the light of daily happenings in Israel.

Since I was unable to attend the Stand With Israel gathering at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver on Sunday, March 23, I desire to publicly do so through the Jewish Western Bulletin.

There was last year, through the evangelical Sisterhood of Mary in Darmstadt, Germany, a repentance journey to Israel in which 1,000 Europeans participated. This group is continuing in repentance with Operation Omer ("weep with those who weep") throughout the 50 days from Passover to Shavuot, calling on churches around the world to "acknowledge with deep shame our conduct towards the Jewish people, through anti-Jewish preaching and prejudice within the church, and the dreadful results - the Holocaust, Inquistion, etc.... We [I] declare our solidarity with Israel."

People may want to check this all out on the Web site of the sisterhood: www.kanaan.org/israel. As well, some TV stations may show their video of the repentance journey, Changing the Future by Confronting the Past - an Israeli response was given by Moshe Aumann, I believe. This video is available at the Holocaust Education Centre. There are books available, too. Anyone who would like more information can contact me at lzion@sprint.ca.

Laureen Moe
Surrey