In this time of the deepest adversity, when our prayers are with the survivors and the families of the victims of Wednesday's appalling atrocity in Jerusalem, our hearts and minds, as Jews, must also be with those millions of Palestinians living under the extremities of the continued occupation and the depravities and denial of basic human rights that are the essence of that occupation. For human rights can know no boundaries, no boundaries whatsoever.

Jewish ethics and Jewish values cannot be limited only to the Jewish people. As we have earned international support and sympathy for our rights based upon these values, we must now re-earn international respect by spreading these values of equality and humanity with which we touched the world’s heart when we needed them, by becoming the voice of those who are voiceless and by taking the hands of those who are too weak to create an environment of equality which will be the foundation for peace.

Precisely at this time, when the Jewish world is reciting the prayers of Kadish (prayer for the dead) and Birkat Hagomel (prayer for the critically injured) for its own victims, we must be certain that the Jewish world remembers and reinforces the reality that Jewish human rights can have no barriers - not a single ‘checkpoint’ should keep us from recognizing our mutual humanity and shared future - that the Land of Israel is home to two peoples, both of whom have every right to live in dignity within her own viable, sovereign state: Palestine and Israel.

Jewish depth of humanity was reconfirmed to me yesterday by a young man, who discovered what I am doing. He reached out and helped me to get the best possible discount as I purchased school supplies for the children of my Palestinian friends. Deep at heart, Jonathan knew that creating a better environment through the acknowledgement of the basic right of everyone for education is the only foundation for peace. Yes, because I am Jewish, I reach out to 7 Palestinian children who live near Hebron. Just as I know that every ethical Jew would also reach out when they know what is happening there. Their father is a peaceful and patient man, who has not been allowed to provide bread and butter for his family for the past 3 years, not to mention school supplies. Like schoolchildren everywhere, my little Palestinian nieces and nephews are excited about their upcoming return to a new school year; they are filled with hope that, this year, will be a year of peaceful learning.

I am certain that, given the opportunity and the knowledge of our government’s systematic policy of creating hatred, walls and abuse, every Jew would reach out to assist as I have. For walls, checkpoints and oppression offer no security; only bridges that are based upon the foundations of our common humanity can bring us the security that we so desire.

Reassured once more of the goodness of my people, Jonathan’s Jewish supervisor, was excited as she prepared my bill. She passed on to the Hebron family her blessing that the children enjoy a wonderful school year, a better one than they have known thus far, a year of peace. I did so when I delivered the supplies yesterday and each time that I return there they are reminded that there are Jews such as these. I ask you all today, is this not the Israel of our dreams? The humanitarian and ethical Jewish state we so value?

I carry in my wallet a lovely gift from Nibal, a 9 year old Palestinian child, a beautiful little girl whose heart is filled with music and laughter and love. The gift is a small book that she made for me, in Arabic, it reads:
A message from Nibal to momma Mary: I love mom Mary and she is so close to my heart. She is the one who is guiding me and teaching me the warm and lovely talk that reaches my heart and she will always be in my heart. Thanks, Mom

As we mourn our dead and seek to heal our deep wounds, Jews and Palestinians alike, I too have a prayer. We cannot let their pain and suffering go in vain: it must instead be used to heal our souls and bring us back in touch with our humanity. Every Nibal and every Jonathan, must know their right to education, to home, to security and to precious life itself. Each of our children must know that there are Jews and Palestinians like them, who are able to see beyond the artificial ‘barriers’ of hatred and fear constructed by our politicians and are able to care for one another. Only thus can we hope to see an end to the horror of the scenes of last week; only thus can we, the human beings of the world, establish our future - a future that lies only in our own hands.

Human rights are neither Jewish nor Palestinian: they recognize only one God. As we suffer together, so must we work together, for this is the only way. My Jewish and Palestinian friends are contributing to the purchase of school supplies for Palestinian children just as my Palestinian and Jewish friends are contributing to the victim support fund being established for the Jewish children who survived Wednesday’s bombing tragedy.

We the people of Israel and Palestine, here and in our Diasporas, must strive to see each other as just people, for only then can we ignore the barriers that others try to erect to keep us from one another and from our very humanity. As people, we can and will learn to find a new way to live, if not together, then along side one another with humanity, dignity and justice.