A Wall in Jerusalem: Hope, Healing, and the Struggle for Justice in Israel and Palestine

by Mark Braverman

Overview

Violence in Israel and Palestine has become the norm.

Do we even understand this conflict? Do we know where it comes from?

Why can't the two sides reach agreement? Can Jews and Palestinians find a way to coexist?

An American Jew, Mark Braverman thought he understood the reasons for Israel's existence. But when he visited the region and began to understand the forces that are fueling and perpetuating the conflict, he realized just how far we are from achieving peace.

From the bustling communities on either side of the Jerusalem barrier, to the historical lessons of the Nazi Holocaust and South African apartheid, to the foremost voices in theology and conflict resolution today, Braverman answers the questions above and offers a course of action both at home and abroad to realize peace.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455574193
Publisher:	FaithWords
Publication date:	11/05/2013
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	465 KB

About the Author

Mark Braverman is an internationally known author and activist on the role of faith traditions in bringing healing and peace to the Israel/Palestine conflict. A Jewish American with deep family roots in the Holy Land, Braverman was transformed while traveling in Israel in 2006 by witnessing the occupation of Palestine and by encounters with peace activists and civil society leaders from the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities.

He now devotes himself full-time to writing, speaking and action related to a just peace in Israel/Palestine. Braverman is the author of Fatal Embrace: Christians, Jews, and the Search for Peace in the Holy Land. More of Mark's writings can be found at www.markbraverman.org.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Challenge to the Church 1

Chapter 2 The Wall in My Heart 23

Chapter 3 The Wall Comes Down 35

Chapter 4 Welcome to Our Synagogue 53

Chapter 5 Jesus and Empire 64

Chapter 6 To the Ends of the Earth: The Meaning of the Land 81

Chapter 7 My Legs Were Praying: The Black Church and the Civil Rights Struggle 104

Chapter 8 How the Church Saved South Africa 125

Chapter 9 Voices from Palestine 150

Chapter 10 Healing and Hope: Voices from the Jewish Community 182

Chapter 11 Kairos Time: A Call to the Church 216

Acknowledgments 243

Notes 247

Resources for Information, Connection, and Further Study 266

Bibliography 273

About the Author 276

Editorial Reviews

"A Wall in Jerusalem is what we call 'political theology' and it is a shining example of how it can be done well."--Gary M. Burge, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College & Graduate School

"A compelling, persuasive book to which attention must be paid...A summons that is filled with hopeful possibility for new peace-making initiatives beyond old ideologies."--Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

"A deeply personal account of the author's journey towards advocacy on behalf of all Holy Land inhabitants and a renewed call for the church to take seriously the gospel's call to peacemaking and justice."--PRISM Magazine

"Across national, racial and religious lines, Braverman brings together powerful, passionate and courageous voices into a network of hope and healing for Palestinians and Israelis."--Rev. Naim Ateek, Director of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center and author of A Palestinian Christian Cry for Reconciliation

"An essential guide to anyone seeking to understand the current crisis between Israel and Palestine...giving us direction as to what we can do that will lead to lasting peace."--Steven W. Haas, speaker and activist

"Braverman demands from church and synagogue a new level of accountability to the religious message of liberation found in Abrahamic traditions...In doing so, he affirms a pathway of loving resistance to occupation."--Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, author of Trail Guide to The Torah of Nonviolence

"Compassionate, intelligent, and laying a groundwork for both courage and healing."--Fr. Richard Rohr, Franciscan priest and author

"I have much in common with my wise, loving Jewish friend, Mark Braverman-including our shared belief that Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. This is a beautifully-written, thought-provoking, important book."--Lynne Hybels, Advocate for Global Engagement

"Mark's voice is unique and desperately needed today. I especially urge my fellow Christians, and most especially sincere Christian Zionists, to read A Wall in Jerusalem with an open mind and heart."--Brian D. McLaren, author/speaker/activist (brianmclaren.net)

"This is a passionate, insightful book which will change fundamentally the discourse of Christians and Jews, Christians and Muslims, Christians and all people of goodwill on this matter."--Allan Boesak, South African theologian and anti-apartheid activist

From the Publisher

"Across national, racial and religious lines, Braverman brings together powerful, passionate and courageous voices into a network of hope and healing for Palestinians and Israelis."

Director of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theol Rev. Naim Ateek

"An essential guide to anyone seeking to understand the current crisis between Israel and Palestine...giving us direction as to what we can do that will lead to lasting peace."

speaker and activist Steven W. Haas

"This is a passionate, insightful book which will change fundamentally the discourse of Christians and Jews, Christians and Muslims, Christians and all people of goodwill on this matter."

South African theologian and anti-apartheid activi Allan Boesak

"Compassionate, intelligent, and laying a groundwork for both courage and healing."

Franciscan priest and author Fr. Richard Rohr

"Braverman demands from church and synagogue a new level of accountability to the religious message of liberation found in Abrahamic traditions...In doing so, he affirms a pathway of loving resistance to occupation."

author of Trail Guide to The Torah of Nonviolence Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb

"I have much in common with my wise, loving Jewish friend, Mark Braverman-including our shared belief that Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. This is a beautifully-written, thought-provoking, important book."

Advocate for Global Engagement Lynne Hybels

"A compelling, persuasive book to which attention must be paid...A summons that is filled with hopeful possibility for new peace-making initiatives beyond old ideologies."

Columbia Theological Seminary Walter Brueggemann

"A deeply personal account of the author's journey towards advocacy on behalf of all Holy Land inhabitants and a renewed call for the church to take seriously the gospel's call to peacemaking and justice."

PRISM Magazine

"Mark's voice is unique and desperately needed today. I especially urge my fellow Christians, and most especially sincere Christian Zionists, to read A Wall in Jerusalem with an open mind and heart."

author/speaker/activist (brianmclaren.net) Brian D. McLaren

"A Wall in Jerusalem is what we call 'political theology' and it is a shining example of how it can be done well."

Gary M. Burge

"A powerful prophetic testimony of a passionately devoted Jewish American who had his version of conversion on the road to Damascus that made him realize that working for justice in Palestine is the most Jewish thing that he could do. In this book, Mark is a man on a mission to the Christian Church in America to seize the moment in Palestine today like it did during the civil rights movement in the USA and during Apartheid in South Africa so that Justice, Hope and Healing can be realized in the Holy Land."

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb

"Mark Braverman is a prophetic voice for our times. His new book, A WALL IN JERUSALEM, makes clear the roots of the conflict that divides Israel and Palestine and how to move beyond it towards justice and reconciliation between the two peoples for the sake of the whole world."

Rosemary Radford Ruether

"Mark Braverman stands in the tradition of the Jewish prophets - probing faith, crying out for justice, crossing boundaries and seeking a compassionate solution to the crisis in Israel and Palestine...In these pages we hear the call to continue the struggle. Can Jews and Christians of Conscience embody the prophetic and change the tide of history?"

professor and author of Toward a Jewish Theology o Marc H. Ellis

"Mark cares passionately for both Jews and Palestinians. That is why he can speak so powerfully and prophetically against the iniquity of the apartheid system that Zionism has imposed on the Palestinians. If you genuinely care for the people of the Middle East, read this book and join the cause for justice, peace and reconciliation."

Revd Dr Stephen Sizer