"We are civilians and we can still talk"
I talked to local Jewish and Muslim leaders today, getting some reaction to the violence in Lebanon.
I started by talking with Rabbi Fred Guttman of Temple Emanuel – a really nice guy who, before launching into the horrors of renewed conflict in the Mideast, spent a few minutes chatting with me and asked if I’d seen the Bruce Springsteen concert on PBS last night.
After making some statements about the conflict he surprised me by saying, as we wrapped up:
"I hope you're also getting the Palestinian side in all this."
That's not the kind of thing you usually hear from someone on a story where temperatures are running hot, to say nothing of centuries-old religious conflicts. I get plenty of calls from people every week who are outraged that I quoted someone with whom they disagree even slightly.
Guttman suggested I talk to Masoud Awartani, a local Muslim restaurant owner with whom he is friendly.
"He's going to tell you everything I've said is completely wrong, and give you the reverse of everything," Guttman said. "But the rabbis will go over to his restaurant for lunch, we like him. We argue, we disagree, but we're still friends."
I talked to Awartani - though not as much as I would have liked, due to my deadline - and he said the same thing.
"I am a good friend of the whole Jewish community in town," said Awartani. "I always think that if we can find a way to peacefully disagree here, why can't we do the same thing there? We are civilians and we can still talk."
It was, from two men genuinely and intensely committed to their religions and politics, the kind of thing we don’t hear often enough. For a moment I thought to myself that it made me feel good to be an American. Then I realized it just made me feel good to be a human being.
Comments (2)
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"That's not the kind of thing you usually hear from someone on a story where temperatures are running hot, to say nothing of centuries-old religious conflicts."
Perhaps, but that sort of thing is exactly what we need a lot more of in this world.
"I always think that if we can find a way to peacefully disagree here, why can't we do the same thing there?"
Sometimes the most important questions, like this one, are completely overlooked by the people causing the problems in the world. Too bad none of those folks are here to talk with these wise fellows.
Posted on July 13, 2006 8:41 PM
Rabbi Fred is a huge music fan (and talented musician) and Greensboro is the better for his having a pulpit at Temple Emanuel. I'm a big fan of his.
That said, if you want real Middle Eastern food, I recommend Masoud Awartani's place. He's a wonderful person and has a great menu.
"For a moment I thought to myself that it made me feel good to be an American."
It's special to Greensboro. Every city probably has a comparable group, but I think we do it better here.
Posted on July 13, 2006 9:34 PM