When Love and Compassion Matter the Most!
What did you know about Israel before 7th October, and what was that based upon?
I had a Biblical understanding of Israel. The lessons on God Abraham and Jacob’s descendants being the chosen people in the chosen were taught throughout my life. I never quite made the modern-day connection until I was in my late twenties (1996-2001) and working for a Jewish Organization in San Francisco. I learned, witnessed, first-hand the reverence that Jewish people have for Israel. Honestly, I never engaged in deep conversation about it, but I understood that it was a topic that should not be approached lightly. There was a deep and abiding connection to community, philanthropy, and tradition. It was the healthiest environment that I have ever worked in. Everyone received 6 weeks of paid time-off on day one, paid Federal Holidays, paid Jewish Holidays, fifteen annual sick days, and 100% employer matched retirement. My spiritual foundation had not manifested fully in my adult life at this point, I was not grounded in a spiritual community. I flourished in this kind, supportive, and giving work environment. I felt seen and valued. Through this lens, I experienced Jewish traditions and was introduced to the importance of Israel to people that I trusted and respected a great deal.
I did not relate this to Zionism, it was never articulated that way, nor was the term ethno-religion spoken of in that period of time. Zionism has, for me, emerged in the last 20 years as a frequently used term in discussions about the Palestine-Israel conflict. I was scheduled to take a trip to the area in January 2024 and was really looking forward to broadening my understanding. The attacks of October 7th changed that. The trip has been rescheduled twice and now indefinitely cancelled.
What does this book help you understand that you didn’t know before?
The origin of the conflict had never been fully explained to me. I extent of my understood that it was over land and the rightful claim to it. I did not understand that Britian played a role in the conflict, during the British occupation of Palestine. I also did not understand that attacks, rebellions, and revolts have been taking place since the 1920’s. I first learned of the Basel Congress, the Balfour Declaration, and Peel partition plan in this book. Which is strange, I was a history major at a large progressive university. I do not recall covering any of it in the World History or Religious History courses. As a disclaimer, I was in my early twenties and may not have been paying attention. Before reading this book, I also carried with me a perspective that was largely shaped by my time working in a Jewish Organization. I had no understanding of the Palestinian experience in this land. I also had no empathy for those that were caught in the cross hairs of this 100-plus year-old conflict. I did not realize that they existed. It is intellectually lazy to believe that a conflict is just about two opposing sides, there is always an underbelly that affects the innocent. I was guilty of not seeing the innocent. The thousands of people that are desperately trying to live, build a life, survive, worship, raise a family are generationally impacted by this conflict. It is unimaginable to think that children are growing up knowing that war is an imminent part of growing up in Palestine.
How do you navigate the Israel-Middle east conflict?
I navigate the Israel-Middle East conflict very carefully. It is such a highly debated subject that I am mindful of the discussions that I engage in and the company that I share my thoughts with. I understand the lasting effects of historical events and how personal they can feel when you believe that restitution has not been made. I have a clear and firm moral position against actions that hurt the innocent, the vulnerable. It is very hard to see any truth and righteousness when women, children, elderly are displaced, homeless, hungry, suffering, and imprisoned. I fail to see the humanity in a situation that victimizes so many. The lines of right and wrong are so terribly blurred when we cannot see that destruction of homes, communities, and lives is not a victory for any cause. If I had to answer simply how I navigate the Israel-Middle east conflict, I would say with love and compassion for all involved.
About the Author
Jonita Fair-Payton
2 responses to “When Love and Compassion Matter the Most!”
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Always learning new things about you Jonita, what a cool and enlightening experience you had in San Francisco in your twenties. I think that it is very healthy and useful in life to really do life with people who come from a much different religious context. Since the workshop I did in DC this year, I can officially say I have a Jewish Rabbi friend, and it’s such a rich relationship.
I’m with you on navigating these types of issues carefully. I think that’s the wisest approach as well!
I am hoping these responses are private too, because I want to share about a Chaplain who worked for me. She was a Rabbi and I felt so lucky to have hired a Rabbi, and female. This relationship was very educating but did not end well. I think this had to do more with her help then anything else but I remember a time she came spitting fire angry that a co-worker told her she supported the Palestinian perspective as her brother-in-law is from Palestine. This other co-worker is a friend of mine and it was hard to hear they disagreed on this topic. I asked more questions about what the Rabbi felt and what we could do and she launched into the history of the conflict! Oh my goodness. The only thing I could do was say, “I don’t have to understand all of it to understand that it hurt you”. To me it was about how she felt more then rather or not I stood with with her. How could i choose a side with relationships I cared about and knowing this was beyond me. I am convinced that I can be with those who suffer, whatever side they are on, by practicing Empathy and companionship.
I am super envious of the work experience you had and it says a lot that they take such good care of their employees! This is what work life balance should be!