Hi Everyone,
When tragedy strikes, it is incumbent upon each of us to ask what we can do to help. Like many people around the world, I found the murders of the three Israeli teenagers, Eyal Yifrach, 19; Gilad Shaar, 16; and Naftali Frankel, a 16-year-old dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, shocking. But even more shocking to me than the murders is the silence. Aside from the Jewish community and a few politicians, I have not heard any outcry… and that concerns me deeply.
In an effort to do my part in making a difference in the world, I decided to create a piece of art which will hopefully help kindle a commitment in each of us to become a partner in the peace process, while simultaneously raising awareness about the tragedy… so that’s what I’ve spent the past few hours doing. I invite you to join me in this effort by sharing this post.
May the weight of this shared sorrow unite the world in a cry for Justice, and a prayer for Peace.
Stay Zenspired,
Joanne
PS If you leave a comment and would like a reply, please leave your e-mail address. Or you can e-mail me at [email protected].
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You are totally correct and what a beautiful tribute you have created..peace
Amen.
Hi, Joanne –
Last night I heard on the evening news of the discovery of the bodies of these three young men and their disappearance on June 12. My first response was, "This is June 30. Why are we just hearing about this now? (My husband calls me a "news junkie" as I always stay on top of current events). I went online to learn more and saw photographs of the three – my God! they were so young! Just boys! – and their families at an earlier news conference pleading for their safety and their return. I was even more puzzled as there was no information about how or when they disappeared or why officials have said they were kidnapped. My heart aches for these three and all those who knew and loved them – I am the mother of boys and I cannot even begin to imagine their pain except to know for certain there could be no greater pain – and they are all in my prayers. I am also a beginning artist who has your book and has taken one of your classes and am signed up for your new one. I never thought of art as being a way of sending peace and other healing thoughts, prayers and wishes out into the world, but you have taught me that now and I will do the same. Thank you, Joanne, for teaching me this and for being a person of peace who shares that with the world. Kathy
Beautiful artwork, Joanne. I join with you in your prayer for peace, and an end to violence. Jesus taught a simple truth that is the basic truth of all religions….Love God, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. I wonder sometimes if the key to peace is caught up in the last part of that sentiment….."as you love yourself." If we do not first love ourselves as the beautiful, wonderful person that our Creator created us to be, how can we possibly love others? I have concluded that those who hate, those who oppress or perpetuate violence in the name of their "religious beliefs", really don't love themselves. They are to be pitied and prayed for. Going just a step further, is it not arrogance to say that something, someone, that God created is not worthy of love? May God touch the lives of those who live in such darkness, and bring them into the light of His love and tenderness. Peace and love be with you, my friend!
Joanne, thank you for your sensitivity to this issue, for expressing it so graciously, and for the inspiration for all of us. Peace to you my sister.
Thank you for such beautiful work and message in the midst of such a tragedy. Blessings.
As always my dear friend you have let your work speak what's in your heart. Thank-you for addressing this in this way–it is the function of the Artist to "reveal ourselves to ourself" and then share it….and you again, have done it beautifully. When I first got the news of this, I felt a pain in my stomach that I know went back many many generations. I immediately called one of my dear friends who has moved with his family from the US to Israel. I am so glad I did that—and I had a direct experience of the pain that this tragedy has caused. It gave me an opportunity to provide love and comfort to my friend and to his family. then I got off the phone and cried my heart out. I cried not only for the families that lost their sweet young children, but I truly was crying for ALL humanity. I kept on asking myself."have people gone completely MAD??"………..And so I realize that indeed, some people actually HAVE…….I think that
when people are not in touch with the actual source of all life, then they begin to identify themselves with illusions. Your quote of "let it begin with me" is key to it all. What I wish to add to that is this,Dearheart:
"When the Love of Power becomes less important than the Power of Love"…..there will be Peace on Earth.
and YES, let it begin with me. Amen and Shalom Joanne. Shalom.
Darling Joanne. My heart grieves with yours. I hold little hope that the light of truth will ever shine where the mainstream media is concerned. My hope is steadfast and eternal, in God alone – He will make all things right. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of theses precious ones. "I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land." Joel 3:2
The beauty and heart of your work is a comfort to many.
ditto to all of the other well said comments.
amazing!
The death of 3 teenagers is indeed sad.
What is sadder that you mourn these three but the nearly 200 children dead in Gaza didn't seem to move you in the same way. Do we really expect there to be peace if we don't find it in our hearts to feel for all human beings equally?
S.