Leonard's response to the boycott

[Sasha K]

May this effort, and all involved, be blessed.

I would love to see the Forum members show solidarity by contributing, say, one day`s pay to this effort. Every little helps, and giving is receiving.

Things could snowball if people get behind it...remember the Berlin Wall...if we wait for politicians to do something, we`ll wait forever.

Thank you, Leonard, we are proud of you...it was a great inspiration !

Sasha K.

Montreux 2008. Wellington, Auckland, Granada, Barcelona 2009...can`t wait !!!

[Casey Butler]

Wouldn't it be better to use the money to purchase a field, wherein the poor and strangers might be buried for a song?

Ah, but I guess that's what he's doing anyway, metaphorically speaking.

Casey

[Squidgy]

This is the best news possible.
Awhile back, I did some fundraising for the Ulster Project, which, among other things, encouraged Catholic and Protestant children in embattled Northern Ireland, to engage in sports and other normal activities together. Thus, the kids learned that those on "the other side" were no different than themselves.
Hatred isn't innate; it has to be learned. And it's learned during childhood. Same goes for tolerance, kindness, and peace.
It sounds like some of the groups that will benefit from Leonard's kindness are specifically child-focused, and are operating on the same theory.
Also, the Story of Isaac is particularly poignant--both the message in Leonard's song, and the original story on which the song is based.
The entire Muslim/Judeo-Christian conflict can be traced to this one event, recorded both in the Old Testament (Genesis, Chapter 22) and the Koran (sorry, my Koran is in storage. But I do have one ! Really !)
Muslims believe Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice Ishmael, through whom Muslims trace their ancestry.
Jews and Christians believe Isaac was the brother who was to be sacrificed.
But hey, either way, Abraham was still the crazy old patriarch; same patriarch, same bloody old would-be ax-murderer.
And Cohen is saying, You must not do this anymore.
Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed be you, Leonard.

[jeremek]

Leonard is a beautiful man.

[lizzytysh]

Reading these articles and then the doctor's letter brought me to tears. Leonard, with his profoundness as a human being and all of it conveyed through his music, will come to Tel Aviv with the deep intention for healing. This will be the most blessed of events. I cannot begin to imagine how it will be for those attending. How I would love to be there; yet, how gladly I would give up my seat for a native of the region to be there, instead... this performance is for you. I am so glad that Dr. Kaminski will be among you. If only everyone here could be there. Leonard Cohen and Robert Kory, you are two people of the highest order. May you travel in love, peace, and safety. My heart is with you as you go. What a privilege to have known of and met you both. I am so deeply moved.


Love,
Lizzy/Elizabeth

Thank you, Marie, for bringing the letter link to us.

[seadove]

This is the best news possible.
Awhile back, I did some fundraising for the Ulster Project, which, among other things, encouraged Catholic and Protestant children in embattled Northern Ireland, to engage in sports and other normal activities together. Thus, the kids learned that those on "the other side" were no different than themselves.
Hatred isn't innate; it has to be learned. And it's learned during childhood. Same goes for tolerance, kindness, and peace.
It sounds like some of the groups that will benefit from Leonard's kindness are specifically child-focused, and are operating on the same theory.
Also, the Story of Isaac is particularly poignant--both the message in Leonard's song, and the original story on which the song is based.
The entire Muslim/Judeo-Christian conflict can be traced to this one event, recorded both in the Old Testament (Genesis, Chapter 22) and the Koran (sorry, my Koran is in storage. But I do have one ! Really !)
Muslims believe Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice Ishmael, through whom Muslims trace their ancestry.
Jews and Christians believe Isaac was the brother who was to be sacrificed.
But hey, either way, Abraham was still the crazy old patriarch; same patriarch, same bloody old would-be ax-murderer.
And Cohen is saying, You must not do this anymore.
Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed be you, Leonard.

How on earth can G-d ask anybody to sacrfice his or her own child? It's atrochious!!

But Abraham was asked to do that as a test. I hope no body will take this task and implement it to anyone. Although, during our history there was a similar task brought to King Solomon, who was known to be a wise judge. Two women were brought to him with a child and both ckimed the child as her own. In the end King Solomon ordered that the child be cut in half, each half to each woman. The real mother wailed and said that she was ready to give up the child and be delivered to the other woman. That was how King Solomon knew who was the original mother.

[Bhasi]

Although, like others here, I was heartened to hear of the most recent Tel Aviv developments and, of course, I believe in Our Man's essential goodness and wisdom, the case for the cultural boycott still has merit, I think, and shouldn't be forgotten or dismissed too easily. Forum members who get Google news updates will have seen the open letter linked to below. It should give us all pause for thought.

On balance, I do think that more good than bad will come out of Leonard's singing in Israel, 'but I may be wrong'!

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/0 ... 614763.php

[oskie98]

Bhasi wrote:

the case for the cultural boycott still has merit, I think,

I don't think so. The whole agenda is based on the false presumptions and lead by hateful anti-israel parties.
(I wonder if this is not more appropriate for Politics section of the board)

[Bhasi]

No, let's just agree to differ!

All good things,

Bhasi

[jenrbr]

I am deeply touched by Leonard Cohen's decision.

I've only recently found this forum. Normally I just come here to read what like minded good people have to say about Leonard Cohen.
I must say this. It's been a humbling experience.
You’ve all contributed in the process. In your comments and writings you've inspired me, reassured me even challenged me to become a better person.
As does Leonard Cohen.

To all of you my warmest deepest regards and respect.
Thank you
sincerely
Jen

[seadove]

I am deeply touched by Leonard Cohen's decision.

I've only recently found this forum. Normally I just come here to read what like minded good people have to say about Leonard Cohen.
I must say this. It's been a humbling experience.
You’ve all contributed in the process. In your comments and writings you've inspired me, reassured me even challenged me to become a better person.
As does Leonard Cohen.

To all of you my warmest deepest regards and respect.
Thank you
sincerely
Jen

1. What decision are you talking about?

2. Why is your experience humble? In front of whom?

3. Who contributed what and in which process?

4. Are you a worse person so desperate to become better?

5. In what way we can further help you to realize yourself and become a much , much better person that what you are right now?

[jenrbr]

I am deeply touched by Leonard Cohen's decision.

I've only recently found this forum. Normally I just come here to read what like minded good people have to say about Leonard Cohen.
I must say this. It's been a humbling experience.
You’ve all contributed in the process. In your comments and writings you've inspired me, reassured me even challenged me to become a better person.
As does Leonard Cohen.

To all of you my warmest deepest regards and respect.
Thank you
sincerely
Jen

1. What decision are you talking about?

2. Why is your experience humble? In front of whom?

3. Who contributed what and in which process?

4. Are you a worse person so desperate to become better?

5. In what way we can further help you to realize yourself and become a much , much better person that what you are right now?

My my my.
Why are you threatened
by confession?

[seadove]

I am deeply touched by Leonard Cohen's decision.

I've only recently found this forum. Normally I just come here to read what like minded good people have to say about Leonard Cohen.
I must say this. It's been a humbling experience.
You’ve all contributed in the process. In your comments and writings you've inspired me, reassured me even challenged me to become a better person.
As does Leonard Cohen.

To all of you my warmest deepest regards and respect.
Thank you
sincerely
Jen

1. What decision are you talking about?

2. Why is your experience humble? In front of whom?

3. Who contributed what and in which process?

4. Are you a worse person so desperate to become better?

5. In what way we can further help you to realize yourself and become a much , much better person that what you are right now?

My my my.
Why are you threatened
by confession?

Because the truth shall set you free.

[Womanfromaroom]

jenrbr,

welcome to the forum!! Yes, I agree completely, an exchange with like-minded people, even if they do not agree on every detail, can be very inspiring. At least it has inspired me a great deal, too!

And, well, seadove, I do not think that this is the way to greet newcomers here. Especially not if, as far as I remember, you have also found the forum a helpful resource for information and - probably! - inspiration at times, unless your opinions are so fixed that you do not need to be "inspired" any more. In the latter case, however, there is no need to have a go at jenrbr, either, and tell her to "realize" herself, implying he or she is not a good person now.

Indeed, my my my.

[jenrbr]

womanfromaroom - thank you so much for your gracious heartfelt welcome.

Great to be here.