The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman and invocation was given by Rev. Rackliffe.
Minutes of December meeting were approved.
Treasurer�s Report: Carol Tyrell the balance as of 12/19/06 was $3579.89. Dues notices were sent out, and 8 have been paid. Printed reports were distributed to all present. Treasurers report was accepted.
A few items were added to the proposed agenda.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Electoral Campaign Reform. Gene Rowland said that the new Governor is strongly in favor of public financing of elections.
Economic and Criminal Justice/ARISE/court case: Joyce Hartwell said the Drop The Rock coalition is contiuing action but are diasappointed that Spitzer didn�t mention this reform in his State of the State speech. Joyce H. and Bernie Fleishman wrote a letter urging appointments of specially trained persons rather than political appointments for Legal Aid work. The court case of Trinity Meth. Church vs. the City is going to be taken to the State Supreme Court.
Violence/Peace Activities/anger Management � John Amidon has started to distribute the �Torture is Wrong� signs. He brought some for us today. The committee is organizing for the press conference that will be held at the Pastoral Care Center, 40 N. Main, Jan. 11th . The National Interfaith Alliance put out a statement last May or June.
Approval was expressed for the expenditure of $350 for the signs.
Last Saturday�s Times Union religion page had an article about our February conference and an article by John Amidon about the need to oppose torture.
Nominations/election for 2007. The proposed slate was mailed out with the meeting notice. There were no nominations from the floor. Motion was made to to elect all candidates. Motion passed. Executive Committee members for 2007 are Benard Fleishman, Pres.,; Jean Cowan; V. Pres., Florence Skiff; Secty.; Carol Tyrell, Treas.; at large members: Dr. Mussarat Chaudhry, Deb Riitano, and Rabbi Aryeh Wineman.
Lou Ismay described a retreat he and Ed Bloch attended, called Soldiers Heart. It was led by Ed Tick who has 25 years experience helping veterans deal with war experiences. About 50 people attended.
Ed Tick has studied the ceremonies held in Greece and by Native Americans and developed this program based on this model. After battle they have a welcoming home ceremony. The warriors relate their horrors and memories. It is a very emotional experience. Guilt and shame are effectively erased by this process. When these memories are bottled up and not expressed it causes emotional/ relational problems. They wish to take this retreat experience throughout the country and also to other countries. There will be another retreat here in June.
Today�s speaker, Jack Alexander, was introduced. He is a member of Brit Tzedek v� Shalom, which is pro Israel and active in promoting a two state solution. Their style is pragmatic in that �who�s wrong� is not the issue, They believe that the U.S. should help Palestine and Isreal reach a negotiated two state resolution. There is an �America Peace Now� group working in the legislative sphere, an �Israeli Policy Forum� think tank, and Brit Tzedeka for grass roots organizing. There are 40 million Palestinian refugees (40% in camps) and just as many Israeli refugees forced out of Arab countries. There are many problems.There is no stratigic border to defend. The West Bank is like a millstone because the Iaraelis can�t pacify the Palestinians. The settlement land is about half state land, and very difficult to register and prove ownership. 40% of the settlement is illegally confiscated Palestinian land. Congress passes �Palestine bashing� resolutions. American Public Affairs Commission(APAC) moblilzes pressure on Congress and there is not much of a counter voice. The wall may cut down suicide bombing but it is not in the right place, if there is a right place. Brit Tzedek v�Shalom and Combatants for Peace are sponsoring a tour by two speakers who were combatants.
On January 20, 4:30-5:30pm, they will be at the Bethlehem Town Hall, and 8:00 9:30pm at Temple Berith Sholom, Troy.
The two sides need to listen to each other, there are wrong stereotypes on both sides. Politics in US mitigates against even handedness. Solutions need sensitivity to needs of both sides. The majority support a 2 state solution and there are several workable plans.
Executive Committee
Conference Planning
Harriet said there are four workshops planned: Faith guarding religious values from political manipulaton, Voices of Youth, Media voices, and Interfaith Dialog. There is a need for the middle to take back values Planning goes ahead for the April 24th dinner. There are three honorees. Announcements: There will be a Washington Peace march. Jan 27-29. For buses going Fri evening, coming back Sunday call 439-1968.
There will also be a Grandmothers for Peace March.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff
Next Executive Committee Meeting: 9:00 a.m, Monday February 5th , 2007, at Friendlys on Rte 7.
Next Membership Meeting: 9:00 a.m. February 19th , 2007 at Latham Community Baptist Church.
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