HumanityHealingHour  

A Bit of Personal History: Heidi Basch, who was born and raised in sunny Southern California (Los Angeles) in the US, now resides in Tel Aviv, Israel where she is working on her Masters Degree in Middle Eastern History at the University there.  She is a strong voice in the movement for international and Middle Eastern peace. 

Heidi began her quest for peace in her days attending the University of Berkeley in the Bay Area of the United States.  She joined in with other students and interested parties to support a Free Tibet and contributed an article in this vein to the “World Tibet News” (WTN).  This same article then also appeared on “Unrepresented Nations and People Organization” (http://www.unpo.org article written in May 2004).

Now, as both a content editor and online journalist for the Palestine-Israel Journal, Heidi writes frequently from both an intellectual and heart-felt perspective revealing what life is truly like for the peoples of both Israel and Palestine.  She speaks both sagely and with fairness, ensuring no side is favored, merely reporting on what she has encountered or that which she has obtained reliable information in reference to.  You can find Heidi’s work featured on www.pij.org or on www.mepeace.org or on www.ipeace.me . 

Heidi also still contributes to Berkeley's regular journal, the Berkeley Daily Planet.  An example of Heidi’s contributions can be found here at this URL:  http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com where her article entitled, “The View from Tel Aviv” published January 7, 2009 appears.  This story is both touching while also providing one a deeper insight into what life can be like in Tel Aviv for Heidi.

Heidi is also a member of a US based group of women (and, yes, men, too) who work tirelessly for peace to reign throughout this world called, “Code Pink”.(http://www.codepink4peace.org/ ).  This group is a grassroots organization designed to target and expose or implement change within the world wherever war or inequity is found.  This group is opposed to any violence anywhere.  If you’re interested, check them out!

A bit of background information on www.pij.org (taken verbatim from their site): “As an independent publication, with an often critical voice, the Palestine-Israel Journal provides background material and in-depth analysis of various aspects of the conflict from the perspective of both sides, thus helping to shed light on the complex issues dividing Israelis and Palestinians and the relationship between the two peoples. Through the journal, our website www.pij.org and internet newsletter, and the program of roundtables and public events that are organized in conjunction with each issue, the Palestine-Israel Journal aims:

• to promote rapprochement and better understanding between the two peoples;

ABOUT THE JOURNAL                                   

“The Journal is staffed by a joint team of Palestinians and Israelis working from a single office based in East Jerusalem. In order to ensure that the views of both sides are equally reflected, the Journal employs two Chief editors and two managing editors, one Israeli and one Palestinian respectively. The Editorial Board composed of 22 members (journalists, academics and other intellectuals), is also equally divided between Palestinians and Israelis. The Board once every six weeks and takes an active role in the Journal providing guidance, suggestions and feedback on the content and quality of the Journal and its related activities. These occasions also provide Israeli and Palestinian board members with the opportunity to consolidate links and engage in informal debate and dialogue.

The Journal is produced quarterly, with each issue (128 pages) devoted to a particular topic related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and relations between the two peoples. A range of articles written by Israeli and Palestinian experts examine the focus topic from different perspectives, giving readers a comprehensive overview and analysis of the subject.”

Please also check out these important sites which Heidi supports:

mepeace.org
ipeace.me
www.pij.org

http://comparingtruthsforesolution.blogspot.com/
http://www.orphfund.org
www.combatantsforpeace.org

Links directly to Heidi’s blogs:

·         Creating Borders of Humanism, Eliminating Borders of Brutalism  - Date:2007-10-16

·         Taking the Palestine out of Jerusalem  - Date:2007-12-19

·         Reflecting on the Crisis in Gaza  - Date:2008-02-10

·         Online Peace Ongoing  - Date:2008-10-26

·         The View from Tel Aviv – Date 2009-1-7

Thank you for joining us this evening and taking the time to read all about Heidi and those wonderful and important groups she supports and/or advocates. 

Namaste.  Much Metta.

HumanityHealing Hour (Alison Kain host)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/HumanityHealingHour

Also, please check out the Humanity Healing Network at: http://humanityhealing.ning.com and the Foundation at http://www.humanityhealing.net  We’d love to have you join us there!

With extra thanks to Christopher B. Buck and Liane Legey for their unending support and making HumanityHealing Hour possible!