It's over. Our summer of rest, relaxation, vacations, backyard cookouts and other outdoorsy activities is gone with the proverbial blink of an eye. Many of us now turn our thoughts to the upcoming High Holy Days as we prepare to usher in the New Year with all its hopes, disappointments and dreams.

Overcoming disappointment is key this New Year for many Jews and Arabs alike. A short season ago the road map to peace brought renewed hope for an end to the ongoing mayhem in the Middle East. Although, both sides expressed doubt for its success, they agreed to try to make it work. Sadly, these attempts appear to have failed.

Right from the start, a critically important ingredient was missing from the roadmap's recipe. The ingredient was trust. Neither side was obliged to accomplish a single measure by any set time. Activities depended on each side trusting the other to abide by their commitments. Never did either side trust the other to do what was expected of them.

The Palestinian prime minister needed to reign in terrorism. The Israelis were expected to dismantle settlements. Hoping to avoid civil war among his own people, Mahmoud Abbas tried to negotiate with the terrorist factions. Israel demanded the evisceration of the terrorist infrastructure before they would take any substantial steps toward dismantling settlements. Some illegal outposts were torn down, but they consisted of a few trailers and many were quickly replaced. A Palestinian cease-fire was denounced by Israel as a trick to rebuild their forces. So, it was clear neither side had any faith in the other to live up to their obligations under the road map.

In a rapid escalation, the killing began again. We saw busses being blown-up and missiles being used in populated areas to assassinate targeted individuals. The cycle of bloodshed and death continues and innocent civilians, including women and children are being indiscriminately murdered by both sides.

The people in Israel and the territories begin this New Year with a major disappointment to overcome. The big question is whether they will find the fortitude, motivation and determination to get onto a permanent path to peace. I don't give a damn if it's called a "road map," "a recipe," or a "promissory note;" names are not important; action is.

Both sides must realize, killing doesn't work. The terrorists have not chased the Israelis out of the territories or ended the occupation. The attacks and incursions by the Israeli military have not ended the terrorist attacks. People on both sides are dying. Children, for crying out loud, are bleeding to death in the streets. Cannot both sides see clearly that these tactics will simply add to the ocean of blood that has already been spilled? That all of the "eye for and eye, tooth for a tooth" stuff will simply leave all of them blind and toothless? A definition of insanity is repeating the same action over and over again, expecting a different result. The only final result of these continued repetitions will be for one side to totally annihilate the other.

For all Jews who attend services on the High Holy Days, say a prayer for peace in the Middle East. For those who observe their spirituality in a different way, send a positive message to those who need to hear it. Blind support for either side makes no sense. Right or wrong isn't the issue; what matters is ending the killing. We can argue about the details later.

I am delighted to report that membership in our Megillah family is growing weekly. More people read the Megillah, use the glossary and participate in the forum than ever before. We need your donations because the cost of providing this service continues to grow. Arnold and I do not mind taking some money out of our pocket to subsidize this project; after all, we started it but the Megillah family needs to support our work so we can continue to help the subscriber base grow and to provide the information and service to the best of our ability. To find out how you can do your fair share, just click the Tzedakeh box button on the home page.

Arnold and I want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy New Year. May the year 5764 bring much joy and few disappointments. In more traditional terms L'Shana Tovah!
 

Much love to all of you,
Michael

Michael D. Fein-Editor