NEW ADDRESS

As of the first week of February, I will be living at the following address:

P.O.Box 3714
Kefar Sava 44511

Greetings and salutations!

Of the World:

Having recently mentioned Tom Cruise's official demonstration of sheer lunacy (see it here), I follow it up with a slightly more unhappy announcement of the death of chess legend Bobby Fischer. Yes, in his later years he became a raving, racist, madman, but the fact remains that, in his own way, Mr. Fischer was a genius who revolutionized the game of chess and played a role on the world stage following the Cold War. Rest in Peace, Bobby.

"After 1972, we lost so many great pieces of art. Hundreds of masterpieces he would have created if he had stayed a sane being. We feel the great loss. All chess players do."
- BRUCE PANDOLFINI, chess teacher, on Bobby Fischer’s estrangement from the game.

As many of you are likely aware, US President George Bush recently made his first, and long overdue, visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Yes, his motivations are suspect and yes, he made some less-than intelligent remarks while he was here, but I did appreciate his statements regarding the current administration's views on the future of the region, which I think were more explicit than we've heard in some time. Hopefully his visit will spur further negotiations and movement toward an actual resolution. Please see the latest ONE VOICE release below.

Of My Life:

Anyone who read my last post is up-to-speed on my Christmas experience in Bethlehem. I have posted pictures on both my Picasa album as well as Facebook. Follow the links on the left to see them. I spent a fairly standard New Year's Eve at an event in Tel Aviv. The big news of late is my upcoming move to Kefar Sava. I am looking forward to this a great deal as (1) I will no longer have to deal with my troublesome landlord, (2) I will be living with a good friend of mine and I think the social and work related environments will be much better than they are at present.

I generally make a conscious effort not to discuss my work life on this blog but, in light of the somewhat turbulent events in that regard of late, I thought I would share a bit. During the last two weeks I was being sub-contracted out to a software company in Herzillya, primarily writing Marcom materials. I really enjoyed the work, the environment, and the people. I was flattered to receive a full-time job offer from this company after the first week. However, after some difficult consideration, and for various reasons, I decided that now is not the time to leave my current employer. It's been a bit of a personal conflict for me but I received some good advice and really thought things through and I am comfortable with my decision.

Along those lines, CNN recently published an article highlighting the current, positive state of the Israeli economy. Considering the view I have of the North American economy from here, there is certainly little economic incentive to return in the near future. In any case, I hope the markets in both parts of the world start/continue to improve.

With Hope,
Joseph

Bobby Fischer Dead | Tom Cruise Scientology | George Bush Israel

 

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Dear Joe,

The OneVoice Movement’s Resolution for 2008 is to do everything in our power to support Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to ensure a two state agreement within a year.

Odds are against an agreement, but it is the best opportunity in many years. Unless this rare window of opportunity is seized, the opportunity may no longer be there next time someone tries to open the window.

Building on the One Million Voices To End The Conflict campaign which commenced a year ago to push for immediate uninterrupted negotiations, the next phases of the campaign for 2008 will emphasize the importance of grassroots support to achieve an agreement within a year, to break taboos and discuss the meaning of a two state solution, to help citizens visualize the region’s potential if Palestine and Israel achieve peace, and to mobilize citizens to support said vision.

People are understandably skeptical of a possible breakthrough, but in spite of the many challenges faced in 2007, enormous progress was achieved over the last year:

• For the first time ever, the Palestinian and Israeli Heads of State Committed to Attain an Agreement within a Year
• OneVoice’s Campaign to Push for Immediate, Ongoing Negotiations Embraced by Leaders
• Despite Postponed OV Summit, OneVoice Doubled in Size – reaching 600,000 Israeli, Palestinian, and International Signatories
• PeaceWorks Foundation Won Social Capitalist Award for 2nd Consecutive Year
• OneVoice Turned Annapolis and Westminster Blue & Green
• OneVoice Palestine Reached Out to Children in Salfeet, Farmers in Beddo, and Women in Jenin
• OneVoice Israel Organized Events with Kibbutznikim in Gan Shmuel, Women in Tel Aviv, and Surfing for Peace
• Yahoo! Broadcasts OV Video to Worldwide Audience
• OV & IBM Foundation Launch What Are You Willing to Do? Online Collaborative Platform
• OneVoice Activists at Petra Spoke Before King Abdullah and Elie Wiesel
• OneVoice Announced New Office in Gaza
• Eye Opener Video Viewed by 300,000 on YouTube
• OneVoice Activists Addressed 1000+ World Leaders at Davos

Too much is riding on this rare opportunity.  Failure would be a very big setback for us all.

So please ask yourself, What Are YOU Willing to Do to Help End the Conflict and Achieve a Two State Agreement?

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Participate in Activities in Your Community: in Palestine, in Israel, in the International Community

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May 2008 bring a peace agreement to Israelis and Palestinians, and may it be a wonderful year for you and your loved ones.

The OneVoice Teams