<HTML>
A few comments on Michelle Farber's note on her experience with Kosova in
the classroom.
1. I think it is important to separate out our potential responses
between those
a) on a individual level
b) on a Jewish community level and
c) on a State level.
2. The issues relating to the history, political background and current
interests of the parties involved are complex, and the real motivation of
the players are not always obvious. The information available to us
through the media is not always portraying a balanced reality.
In particular, the TV pictures and newspaper headlines and photographs are
likely to stir our emotions, but not necessarily enable us as adults,
teachers or children to make balanced judgments.
3. It seems to me that exercising halachic judgment does require a degree
of supressing gut-emotion. This is very hard - and if you agree - it must
be the most difficult element to communicate in the classroom.
4. Finally, if the topic is to be discussed within the Israeli classroom,
and a view is taken on what the State should be doing - I really think
this is dangerous ground.
The Israeli Government has primarily to look out for Israeli interests and
if it appears reticent in its support for UN/NATO, this may well reflect a
real concern for the implications in the middle east of an
internationally sanctioned military international involvement in what
could be described as an internal civil war.
5. There is room for a humanitarian response at each of the above levels
(and Israel has already sent in its medical aid teams), however there are
mega- issues involved which may not lend themselves to superficial
classroom discussion.
Warren Braham</HTML>
