Comments written in response to the talk on Feb 16 at Prof. Jamie Newton's SOCIAL CONFLICT & CONFLICT RESOLUTION - PSY 547

Dear Donna,

        For weeks I've meant to bring you the comments my students wrote after you and Jeremy met with my class. Today I took them to meeting for worship, but I didn't see you there, so I'll mail them.
        I found these comments encouraging, moving, and interesting. You and Jeremy were inspiring to the students. It seems to me that some comments reflect the student's effort to really understand and put into words a deep inner response. Many had never met people like you and Jeremy, and they found your perspectives and commitment unfamiliar, appealing, and a source of hope.
        Thank you so much for arranging Jeremy's visit, and for your part in the presentation to my class!

Warm good wishes!
Jamie Newton

1. When I became aware of where Mr. Milgrom lived and where he was coming from, I automatically assumed that he was going to speak about war and violence. He did a little but he mostly spoke about peace (which is even better). It seemed that he took his experiences even though some were violent and always turned them into something positive and peaceful. While Mr. Milgrom and Mrs. Walker were speaking I couldn't help thinking that if most not all but if most people thought similar to these passionate people our world would be so much different, so much better. Thank you!



2. I am usually not a big fan of guest speakers, however having Jeremy Milgrom and Donna Baranski-Walker join our class on Tuesday was an amazing experience. I felt priviledged to be a part of one of the few presentations Jeremy Milgrom gives in the states and to hear about his & Donna's project. The organization is truly inspirational to hear about for a couple of reasons. I found it so inspirational that they not only rebuild homes that have been bulldozed once, but that they will go back and re-build again if it is bulldozed. This dedication shows the strength and character of the organization to the core. Secondly, I found it really inspirational that someone like Donna, with an engineering degree, would give up the "big bucks" she could be making in order to keep the organization going. As far as Mr. Milgrom's speech goes, the things that struck me the most were his story about his daughter's birth and his saying that if we all put our weapons down the violence would end. And I truly agree with him that if we stopped being so threatened, no one would be threatening anyone. If we are always on guard, so will the other "team". He was an amazing speaking with the potential to change the lives of so many.



3. I found the presentations to be very interesting. Jeremy Milgrom was very passionate about his life experiences and cares a lot about a conflict – free world and I respect his quest for peace. Donna Baranski – Walker and her foundation are changing the lives of those whose homes have been destroyed, even if it means that they have to rebuild the homes again and again. I respect their desire and commitment.



4. Response To Guest Speakers
   
   Both guest speakers clearly relayed to me, that it takes great commitment to be an activist for peace, which seems obvious, but it isn't always easy! I was moved by both guests, since their stories made a very complicated conflict more comprehensible to me simply because they introduced me to real people. Rabbi Milgrom's story about his friendship to a Palestinian family seems especially poignant to me. His fear was so deep that he doubted his friends’ generosity regarding the hot water boiler. It takes so much courage to trust sometimes and I admire his courage to try, despite the doubts he sometimes seem to have about the path he chose. I often listen to NPR and find myself "tuning out" when the news of a new suicide bomb in Israel, or the next raid of a Palestinian household (suspected of housing terrorists) is reported. I, living in a relative safe society, have the luxury to do so. People living this conflict don't!
   Thanks to both guest speakers, I have been reminded of the human suffering on all sides and the fragility of life itself as well as the fragility of friendships.



5. I enjoyed what Jeremy spoke about. I want to learn all I can to avoid conflict in my life with the ability to help the rest of the world. The concept of my God & your God must have God reeling for all the lessons taught shouldn't be confined by ethnocentrism / egocentrism of this group or the next. His view of the big picture needs to be communicated & understood. I get angry when I see a bumper sticker "God Bless America". What about the innocent people that have died just in Iraq because of limited thinking as such what about "God Bless Everyone"? Donna's talk was good but if we got to the root of the problem then why would we need to rebuild? She and her group are picking up the pieces of our limited "in group" mentality. I would enjoy hearing more & would like to even hear back from Jeremy about future talks or consideration or just open the door to dialog. rlefief@sfsu.edu



6. I thought both the guest speakers were relatively good. Since they've been in Israel & Palestine they gave me somewhat of a sense of what's going on there. I do think though they could've planned it a little better. At first it seemed they really didn't know what to say but as they talked more they then seemed more informative. I've only heard of what is happening there in Gaza and since they've been there and seen it with their own eyes and after viewing one video I had a better sense of what is going on there. They gave insight on their personal lives and what they've experienced and what they've seen. So overall I do think them talking to us helped more in my understanding.



7. When Rabbi Milgrom first stepped up in front of the class, I really didn't know what to make of him. No disrespect to him, but maybe his appearance threw me off. Anyway, on a more important note, the things he had to say were quite amazing. And the stories he told were quite enlightening as well. It's not everyday that you encounter a man so true to his convictions, that he wouldn't even carry a gun in the Israeli army. That is pretty much unheard of. He sacrificed what his fellow troops and even his young son thought of him, just for his convictions. His is quite an amazing story. Donna Walker's story and presentation was very nice too. Her need to help the community of the Middle East is quite amazing. It's great to see someone taking action in this manner.



8. Rabbi Milgrom had some very interesting views on life in the Middle East, but I was under the impression that he was going to speak about the rebuilding project. I feel that I may have misunderstood what he intended for us to come away with. The points as I understood were about his beliefs in peace and just about the way of life in Israel.



9. As people, it's quite obvious to me that both Jeremy Milgrom and Donna Baranski Walker are passionate, caring people with a mission of peace and goodwill. Jeremy was captivating with his stories and demeanor. He exuded a peaceful, graceful, presence. His discussion allowed for some insight into his challenges and into the persuading attitudes of his environment. Looking back, more details about the Israeli Jews vs. Palestinian conflict would have been useful. Despite all the killings in the papers weekly, I am somewhat ignorant to the specifics of each cause. Also, perhaps a discussion of the escalation between the two sides would have helped. What were the initial escalations? What decisions or accusations caused certain escalations?
   
   Their efforts are quite valuable. Unfortunately, one home at a time will be a rough venture. Hopefully, Their efforts will gain steam.



10. I thought that Jeremy's appearance was very informative and I found myself very engaged with what he was saying. I thought he was very brave for taking a stand against the majority and letting it be known that he did not believe in or agree with the use of guns. I think this was especially brave considering the environment where he lived was surrounded by guns and violence. This story really helped to confirm my feelings on how important it is to stand up for what you believe in even if you do find yourself to be going against the majority. This was also a reminder that change starts, usually with someone going against the majority, but you have to be true to yourself and your beliefs.
    As for Donna Walker, I thought the project she is working on is very commendable. I can't imagine how the people in Gaza must feel to have their homes demolished, but I'm sure their grateful for the work of organizations like Donna's.



11. I appreciated the way in which you integrated your personal stories in discussing the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. You articulated your background and the position you have adapted very clearly. Your talk deepened my understanding of the Mandatory Military Service requirement, which I had known only little about before.
    I especially liked your story about bringing the water heater from the camp to your home. That helped me understand what a struggle it is to deal with suspicion and fear, even amongst people whom your intuition tell you to trust.
    Also, it helped to hear a bit about the "other rabbis" —the dominant religious establishment. I would be interested to hear more about what texts you have found to support the idea that the claim to the holy land need not be exclusive.
    Thanks for a great talk. I'm sure you have a lifetime more of stories to tell.



12. I enjoyed Jeremy Milgrom's presentation, it was full of interesting and knowledgeable stories. Although a lot of what he spoke about were personal familie stories I wish he got into more of what is going on in the Middle East and exactly what he is doing to help decrease conflict in that region. Overall the stories he spoke about had these own message with in them, I wanted to know more on what he and his Peace groups are actully doing. Donna Walker's presentation was more emotion moving for me, I can actully see what she and her group are doing for.



13. I really enjoyed both presentations, they were very informative and interesting. I really liked what Mrs. Walker has put together, she is a great inspiration and I think her efforts have made lasting impact, not only for me but for a lot of other people as well. I enjoyed Rabbai Milgron's presentation as well. It was great to hear from somebody who actually lives in Isreal. I also liked how he told us his personal stories as well as his son's story of being in the Israeli army.



14. I thought that the talk by Jeremy Milgrom was very interesting and informative. I think I had expected more of a formal lecture "These are the problems we face… and this is how we approach each other"... I am grateful for his down to earth style of presenting information in a story, because this makes the issues presented easier to understand and navigate. These stories came alive and made me remember that even conflicts of this size are personal in nature. Rabbi Milgrom took it upon himself to change his behavior when he found that armed efforts were futile.
    I think that the most important thing he shared was his moment of doubt in his friends with the Boilers, because it reminds us that those who struggle are Human—just like us and I appreciated his dedication and unswerving hold on optimism. Momentary doubts will enter, they are allowed.
    The chair demonstration reminds us of the difficulty of friendship a way to approach those over us and of the need for others to intervene and help –in some instances.
    Educate heart and mind.



15. The first speaker who was Donna Walker had a lot of positive stuff to say and I'm glad she's rebuilding houses. It was a little difficult to follow everything she was saying because she had a quiet voice and maybe could use some speech training, but other than that she seems like a good person.
    The second speaker Jeremy Milgrom, seemed like a good guy, but wasn't sure what his message was. I'm guessing it was his solution to the confliction in the Middle East is for both sides to drop their guard and talk things out, instead of using fear and violence. Another thing I wasn't clear about was when he said even though he's a rabbi, he doesn't follow all/any Jewish rabbis. So I was wondering if he empathized with Palestinians because, they were there first.



16. I really enjoyed Jeremy Milgrom's presentation. I thought he was very brave to stand out in an Army and he was following his beliefs. He seems to be a very sincere man that lives by his beliefs. I felt not moved or gain interest by things Donna Walker spoke about. I didn’t feel a vibe from her that shows any strong beliefs or motivation. It seemed she was describing her “work” as a job not of interest or personal goals. I would still like to have future guest speakers to present.



17. Rabbi Jeremy Milgrom:
    His narrative way of telling stories allowed for us as students to a more personal view of his experiences in Israel. This was an experience I don't think I would have otherwise ever had the chance to have. I am unfortunately naïve to the magnitude of conflict between Israel and Palestinian states, so his stories allowed myself as an outsider a rare glimpse into international reality and the despair and devastation that pertrudes from their conflict.
    All of his messages spoke to my core of the international futile need for peace. He is brave to bare no arms in an environment and culture of fear. Even more brave was and is his message of peace and unity. It is ironic how exclusionary dominant religious institutions are when it can only promote fear, paranoia and ignorance.



18. I enjoyed Jeremy Milgrom's presentation. I liked how he incorporated his personal experiences into his presentation. It felt quite personal and therefore I was willing to understand and enjoy what he had to say. I feel that he got his point across about what he does and I sense the passion he has for what he does. It also helped that he incorporated humor into a subject so serious.
    I enjoyed watching the video clip Donna Walker brought in, it cleared many things up for me about questions I had about the organization she is involved in. Although it was at times difficult to understand her because of noise and at times she spoke quietly, I found her presentation to be of interest. I was a little bored, but it may be because I could not hear her well.



19. Rabbi Milgrom's approach agreed with me very much. I appreciated his anecdotal method of expressing his ideas, concerns, and hopes. In communicating his ideas, he was very aware of both sides of the Palestinian / Israeli conflict and never once be tested either side with bias.
    I hope that Rabbi Milgrom continues to talk with the American public about such matters. Although his talk was informative I still cannot grasp the logic behind this confrontation. The media, authors, and politicians only give biased and agenda oriented information. I believe that change must occur from the people. Aware members of society such as Rabbi Milgrom are an absolute necessity in bridging the gap between such conflicts.
    Please pass along the thanks to Rabbi Milgrom for extending himself for such a noble cause
    Thank you



20. Response to Presentation
    I think Jeremy Milgrom's presentation was not only highly interesting, but enjoyable as well. The perspective he provided was not something I was previously unaware of, but his presentation made it seem much more real. It was refreshing and uplifting to see that someone who has experienced first-hand the severe negative aspects of humanity, can still have so much hope.



21. Jeremy Milgrom gave a very interesting and informative presentation. He stated how difficult it is to go against the system. In my opinion, he did whatever he had to do to get to where he had to go in life. Everybody experiences numerous conflicts throughout life, some more major than others. In the society we live in, once you break the social norms that we are supposed to abide by, you will be treated differently. If you don't want to be treated in that way, it's plain and simple: abide by the rules.



22. Rabbi Jeremy Milgrom's discussion was about his personal experiences and opinions about the war in Israel and his recollections with the Palestinians. His emphasis of not carrying a gun in his symbolic and active resistance of using weapons as self-defense and mass destruction. His activism in finding the connectivity and interalliance of all communities stress Milgrom's passion & motivation for communication, friendship, harmony and hope.