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Years ago I discovered the bible. No, not the one that starts ‘In the beginning…’. Well, almost, but a little different.

This bible begins, “It was not until this book was well under way that I reluctantly confronted the historical factors underlying the “Palestinian problem.’ The book was originally meant to be solely an investigation of the current plight of the “Arab refugees,” as that subject was then still generally known.” The first chapter ends with the words that title the last chapter, (This book is) “in essence, about flight from fact.”

The book, four hundred pages later, concludes, Today (1984) the explicitly stated Arab goals appear to be gaining credence once again through the medium of propaganda and twisted rhetoric, unquestioned by those of us who haven’t known the questions to ask, and unhindered by many who have guessed. Those who understand the reality ought to demand more.”

So it was that the twentieth century bible of those seeking truth about Israel and the Middle East was born, called “From Time Immemorial,” authored by Joan Peters.

A few weeks ago, while still in the United States, a friend from Chicago called me about a couple wanting to visit Hebron. I get such requests frequently and offered to place them on one of our regular tours. Then he told me their names: Dr. William Caro, (yes, related to Rabbi Yosef Caro, author of the Shulchan Aruch, the most important codification of Jewish Law ever written, who lived in Tzfat some 500 years ago), and his wife, Mrs. Joan Peters.

I froze.” Joan Peters – From Time Immemorial,”  I asked? Of course the response was positive. A little while later, speaking to her on the phone, I told her that as I relate to her magnum opus  as a bible, she could easily understand how I relate to her.

This week Joan, together with her husband Bill, came to visit in Hebron. We didn’t have a lot of time, but managed to visit the community’s neighborhoods, Ma’arat HaMachpela, and meet some people.  While introducing her to one of my friends, his wife walked by, looked at my guests and blurted, “Joan Peters?! You’re here, in Hebron?”  She recognized Joan from a small photo of her, taken about 30 years ago, on the back of the book cover.

Driving from Tel Rumeida to Beit Hadassah, we gave Hebron resident and activist Baruch Marzel a ride down the hill. Baruch told Joan, “I didn’t just read your book. I studied it and learned it.”

During a short interview outside Machpela, I asked Joan what struck her about Hebron? She answered, “The history, the history is awesome.  The archeological dig, that’s awesome.  The 97 percent, being surrounded by Arabs is also awesome; it’s terrifying that Israel’s government has put Hebron in this situation.

Her husband, Dr. Bill Caro: “I find this a remarkable place.  One of the remarkable things about Hebron is the continuity of the Jewish community, going way way back, to Biblical times. And as American citizens we don’t know much about it, we don’t learn much about it, we take it for granted. We know about Israel, we’re here with a group that strongly supports Israel (Honest Reporting), but Hebron we read about, but being here is really important, and it’s so gratifying to be here.

I asked Joan Peters the million dollar question – what brought about the writing of ‘From Time Immemorial?’

“That’s a tough question to answer. The short answer is, I think it was a dibbuk (inner spirit – ed.) because I don’t know how I could have done it now by myself. But it went from pillar to pillar and one question begot another and the research was fascinating to me – I love research – and I found all sorts of things I didn’t expect to find, and in the process I had no idea what I was up against when I started. And when I finished I had no idea what it was going to inspire and I’m terribly humbled and gratified by the fact that people care so much about what I found. It was there, it was all there. I just found it.”

One of the fascinating chapters in this classic is titled, “’Muftism’ and Britain’s contribution to the “Final Solution.” Here the connection between Nazi Germany and the Grand Mufti Haj Amin el-Husseini is examined. Recently this subject has been the source of more than one book, but a few decades ago it was almost untouched. Also studied is the British refusal to allow Jews into their homeland.

“The Jews had nowhere to go. The irony was that the very loss of their nation had become the source of much of the anti-Jewish antagonism. The Jews could be pushed around or held suspect, because they weren’t “from” anyplace and no place totally accept them.  The more they clung to their beliefs, the more they seemed to stand out…”

“From Time Immemorial” is a permanent fixture on my office table. Despite the seemly everlasting mess which continues to grow, I can always find this book, and, as a rule, show it to just about every reporter who interviews me. The message is quite clear: If you really want to understand the Israeli-Arab conflict, this literature is a must-read. I don’t know how many of them actually follow through, but surely anyone who takes the plunge and examines the book must realize that common preconceptions are usually close to 100% wrong.

When I asked Joan if she’d continue writing she responded positively, but preferred not to go into details. I would be thrilled to receive a new Joan Peters expose, continuing to deal with Israel and present day issues. But even if she should never write another word, Joan’s place in history is assured. She is truly a modern-day wonder woman. She put it plainly, ‘the material was all there – I just found it.’ So simple and so true. But the fact is that nobody else cared enough to search for, and reveal the truth.  I can only but take my hat off to Joan, while hoping and praying that she is not the last of her kind.

David Wilder and Noam Arnon in LA
Hebron: A Piece of Israel or an Obstacle to Peace in Israel
Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Luxe Hotel Sunset - 11461 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA

Click on picture above for more details

                                         

 

                                 

 

“WE’RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT NOW!” The outpouring of hate against Israel and the Jews after the flotilla incident was absolutely unprecedented. Jews around the world and other Lovers of Israel suddenly felt just like the Jews of Hebron – the Jews the media loves most to hate. We therefore decided to hold our annual fundraiser as a unique, united Zionist response to this situation. We must bring together the various groups that work for Israel in a show of confidence in the future of a united, large and strong Israel!

 

The whole world is concerned with the supposed suffering of the Arabs of the Gaza strip.

 

Yet while the Arabs build and open luxury hotels and state-of the-art shopping malls, the Jews of Hebron live in impossible conditions – with families with 6, 7 or more children living in 2-3 room apartments.

 

While the Arabs of Gaza are free to build wherever and whatever they like, our children are arrested for planting gardens and installing park benches in violation of the “building freeze”.

 

Our gardener – Yitzchak Imes, who tenderly cared for the Machpela Gardens – was brutally  gunned down together with his wife and two neighbors in a recent terrorist attack.

 

While investors are free to invest in and develop the Gaza strip, Hebron properties purchased by Jews – whether in 1809 or in 2005 – are not free to be used by their legal owners.

 

While the Arabs of Gaza, their incessant construction and their terror regime are all subsidized by many  "civilized" countries and NGO’s to the tune of billions of dollars per year, the tax deductible status of the meager donations to Hebron’s Jews comes under repeated scrutiny - for no good reason except for racism and Anti-Semitism.

Here's why our opponents are wrong:

 

1)        Settlements are legal. When the US signed the 1924 San Remo accords, they became co-signers of the British Mandate in Palestine which calls for “close settlement of Jews upon their land.” The area in question included the West Bank!

2)        Support for settlements is tax deductible! The fact that this administration may decide to fly in the face of US law and commitment does not negate the tax deduction on donations to Jewish causes on the West Bank.  Even the NY Times wrote: “…the tax code encourages citizens to support nonprofit groups that may diverge from official policy, as long as their missions are educational, religious or charitable.”  

 

In a series of events – in both Hebron and in New York – we raise our voices and take out our checkbooks in protest against the evil discrimination against the Jews of Hebron and Eretz Yisrael.

 

In Hebron on the Succot holiday, we celebrated the end of the building freeze – as promised by the Israeli government. Our Hebron Music Festival on Sept. 27th was attended by over 35,000 guests including hundreds of US donors and Israeli political leaders.

 

Now the time has come to do the same in New York City.

On November 16, join us in launching the Hebron Aid Flotilla!

 

Our event will be honoring some very special people:

 

“Gevurat Ha’Imahot” (Bravery of the Matriarchs) Awardee IDF Capt. Caroline Glick (ret.), who will also be our keynote speaker was named by “Maariv” as “the most prominent woman in Israel”. As chief diplomatic correspondent for Makor Rishon newspaper, deputy editor of the Jerusalem Post, editor of the political satire website “Latma TV” and a senior Middle East Fellow at Washington’s Center for Security Policy, Glick made history with her “We Con the World” video clip exposing the hypocrisy behind the Gaza Flotilla.

 

“Bonei Hevron” (Builders of Hebron) Awardees David & Jane Seidemann of Lawrence, NY.  David is a longtime Hebron Fund Board member and former Fund President who is a very popular attorney, columnist and Long Island community leader.

 

"Chasdei Avot" (Charity of the Patriarchs) Awardees David & Joclyn Stern of Brooklyn, NY.  David is the President of Brooklyn’s Young Israel of Midwood and has led a number of missions to Hebron. Both of them are beloved local activists and  former repeat guests in Hebron for the special “Chayei Sarah” weekends attended by tens of thousands every year.

 

Magen Avraham (Abraham’s Shield) Awardees Fred & Carole Samuel of Fairlawn, New Jersey come and go to Hebron as if they live there and have made close personal ties with some of the local residents. Fred’s firm is currently spearheading an important security project for Hebron.

 

Aishet Chayil (Woman of Valor) Awardee Ester Arieh-Hatanian, is the mainstay of the Hebron Fund office in Brooklyn, NY. She is receiving the recognition she so justly deserves for over a decade of dedicated service above and beyond the call of duty.

 

Every single one of us must work together to fill the ship with 1000 people who will not only come out in support of Hebron, but will also have a  fantastic time doing so!

 

If there ever was a time when you just have to stand up for the Jews of Hebron – Now is the time!

STAND TOGETHER FOR HEBRON & ERETZ YISRAEL!

The Hebron Aid Flotilla

Tuesday Evening, November 16, 2010

Leaving from Pier 59,  Chelsea Piers, 12th Avenue & West 23rd St.

Honoring

Caroline Glick  Gevurat Ha’Imahot Awardee & Keynote Speaker

In salute to “We Con the World” (Special Guest: Captain Stubbing!)

          David & Jane Seidemann    Bonei Hebron Awardees

          David & Joclyn Stern            Chasdei Avot Awardees

       Fred & Carole Samuel         Magen  Avraham Awardees

Ester Arieh –Hatanian         Aishet Chayil Awardee 

   Benjamin Brafman, Esq.   Master of Ceremonies

THE HEBRON FUND  1760 OCEAN AVE. BROOKLYN, NY 11230    TEL. 718-677-6886 FAX 718-677-6886         HEBRONFUND@AOL.COM         WWW.HEBRONFUND.COM

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