Jonathan Kamens 86 47Dec 5, 2024
I am at the @omdimbeyachad event tonight in Brookline MA, where the co-directors of the organization, a Jewish and a Palestinian Israeli, will be speaking shortly.
I came here because I'm looking for some hope about what's happening in the Middle East, and it's in pretty short supply nowadays.
One reason to hope: the event is packed, and there are people of all ages here, from the very young to the very old.
#OmdimBeyachad #Israel #Palestine #Gaza #Lebanon #peace
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Dec 5, 2024
Worth noting: although the masked to unmasked ratio at this #OmdimBeyachad event is, as usual, much lower than I'd like to see in public, it's also significantly higher than I typically see.
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Dec 5, 2024
The biggest question for me personally about this event is, will the rain hold off until a half hour after it ends, or am I going to be riding my #motorcycle home in the rain? 😜
I came prepared with warm clothes and my rain-suit but that doesn't mean it'll be pleasant.
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47
The #OmdimBeyachad speakers are saying we're in the long game. "We're building for the long term. There are no shortcuts, there is no magic solution."
It's about community organizing, it's about building power, it's about changing reality, it's about learning how to use politics to effect change.
I know they're right. I'm just not sure it's going to work. The forces arrayed against us are strong, and seemingly currently ascendant.
Dec 5, 2024 at 12:43amWeb
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Dec 5, 2024
So, I don't know if anything is going to be able to stop Israel's descent into complete madness, but I can't imagine that there's anything that has a better chance of succeeding than what #OmdimBeyachad is doing. I can't support them financially right now because I don't know if I'm going to have a job in two months, but if/when that stabilizes I definitely will.
You can too, if you'd like:
https://secured.israelgives.org/en/pay/Friendsofstandingtogether
Donate Securely to Standing together

Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Dec 5, 2024
By the way, the rain did not in fact hold off, but I rode home safely on my motorcycle in the rain and dark wearing my neon green rain-suit.
Show threadkat 🌻Dec 5, 2024
@jik This is always the answer. It’s a long, hard slog with no guarantee of success, but I think it’s the only way things change.