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Wake Up and Reclaim Your Humanity: Essays on the Tragedy of Israel-Palestine Kindle Edition
by Richard Forer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (23)
Wake Up and Reclaim Your Humanity tells the true story of a lifelong supporter of Israel who underwent a remarkable spiritual awakening in which he realized he was as much Muslim or Christian as Jew and as much Palestinian as Israeli or American. Existential fear and confusion, the hallmarks of separate identities, were transformed into compassion and clarity and an unequivocal vision of the roots of suffering spontaneously arose. Recognizing that endless conflict only leads to alienation from our true selves, this book encourages readers to look at the documented history of the Israel-Palestine tragedy and get in touch with how they view and interpret that history. It offers readers a path that leads to freedom from false beliefs, enemy images, and the illusion of identity to equal rights for all people and a just peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
"An astonishing and groundbreaking commentary, Wake Up and Reclaim Your Humanity is the first book EVER written that explains the root cause of the Israel-Palestine tragedy. Wrestling with the question, "why do normally decent people, who ordinarily believe in justice, support indecency and injustice?", this book provides answers that are critical to a deeper understanding of the human condition and profoundly clarifying in their ability to alleviate the confusion that has permeated the subject for generations. " -J.J. Hebert, #1 Amazon Bestselling Author
261 pages
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From other countries
Parseeker
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, timely and important
Reviewed in Canada on 25 August 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Richard Forer’s collection of essays are a must-read for anyone interested in learning about Israel-Palestine. Told from the perspective of a Jew who came to the realization later in life about the one-sided narrative he had grown up with. The essays are an honest soul-searching and a breath of fresh air. Forer has chosen to steadfastly take the perspective of being a human being first and foremost and invites others to do the same.
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Sharon Kleinheksel
5.0 out of 5 stars Why You Should Read and Digest this Book
Reviewed in the United States on 25 September 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I have known Richard Forer for a number of years. We finally met in person at a conference in Estes Park, CO, a number of years ago, where conferees were discussing the Israeli/Palestinian stand-off.
His first book, Breakthrough: Transforming Fear into Compassion, details his life-changing encounter with a new humanity-affirming Conscious Reality.
In this new book, he invites his reader also to “Wake Up and Reclaim YOUR Humanity”. It is stark and jarring to Jews (and Christians) who are sold out to the prevailing Israeli narrative. It will be stunning and revealing to persons with open minds to learn of key characters in the drama, notable events in the unfolding history, with alarming trends to be seen in the present.
I was really impressed with Rich’s meticulous research, citing impeccable sources in hundreds of footnotes. He gives names, dates, events in their context that relentlessly drives his narrative forward.
Fellow Jews might declare him a “Self-hating Jew” but that charge simply won’t stick. The love for his fellow Jews is unmistakable.
I have been a student of the Middle East for over 50 years. This book of 29 essays is one of the most thorough, compelling, convincing exposé I have ever read. He exposes Israel’s blindness to their prejudicial, destructive treatment of the native inhabitants. As he states in the Preface:
At the mercy of blind loyalty, I rejected any consideration my beliefs might be erroneous. Loyalty is an admirable quality, but when it masks fear confusion or prejudice, it makes a rational understanding of Israel/Palestine impossible.
With my journey as a guide, this book asserts that blind loyalty, false beliefs and enemy images do not have to dictate our destiny. Through hard work and commitment to the truth, we can undo their influence and achieve a just resolution to this tragedy. Because Israel/Palestine is an archetype, a just resolution could give birth to a global transformation in consciousness and a new destiny for humankind wherein Israel can be a ‘light to the nations’”.
When I wrote back to him, suggesting his book “is a bit off-putting to the true believers in the justness of the Israeli cause”, he replied:
John,
The reason I told my personal story at the beginning of the book was to make it more likely that readers would be open to the historical information or that if their resistance to what I had to say came up, they would at least consider my story, that I had been that way too but was willing to look at the facts and that by looking at the facts I was then no longer bound by prejudice and irrational thinking, not to mention encountering a relief that restored my humanity. Yours, Rich
I dare anyone with an “open mind” to read this book. You might transcend any and all tribal boundaries and embrace the common humanity of us all.
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mrs hardy twickers
4.0 out of 5 stars excellent analysis of the Israeli and jewish conundrum for so many
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 December 2023
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Its well written and very candid and I understand perfectly why somebody would renounce his zionism..who wouldn't? its an evil concept
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Ayn Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into the human condition
Reviewed in the United States on 28 January 2021
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I have read several books on Israel-Palestine, but Wake Up and Reclaim Your Humanity is the most clarifying and interesting of all. In addition to providing impeccably documented and interesting historical material, Richard Forer’s compelling book offers great insight into the human condition and explains how, by refusing to empathize with the “other,” we create suffering for ourselves and lose touch with our inborn humanity.
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ellen holly klaver
5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely important (and suppressed) point of view for peace and justice
Reviewed in the United States on 14 September 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This and Rich's other book are vitally important for people to read and understand in order to move toward justice and peace in Israel and Palestine. His perspective reflects an honesty about the hard truths that zionist Jewish organizations work hard to suppress about the history of the ethnic cleansing and genocidal policies toward Palestinians that the Israeli government has implemented since its founding. I encourage everyone concerned about these issues to read and reflect on his books, and speak up for justice and peace, not more land theft and injustice.
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Jennifer Parisi
5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS SO GREAT!
Reviewed in the United States on 18 November 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
WAKE UP AND RECLAIM YOUR HUMANITY is better than great--it's crucial. Crucial that we not only read this singularly moving book, but also that we apply its profound truths to our lives and to the deep wound that is Israel/Palestine. Perhaps then we can all heal.
J. Parisi, artist and creator of JERUSALEM series of paintings
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, up-to-date book on Israel/Palestine and on humanity in general
Reviewed in the United States on 28 October 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I read this book cover to cover. Forer provides well documented evidence on the facts of the Israel/Palestine conflict. He shows the importance of looking beyond preconceived notions about our fellow human beings.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Getting at the heart of the matter.
Reviewed in the United States on 28 September 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This could be the only route to solution of the Israeli/Palestinian crisis.
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Nadim hasan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on 7 November 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
My grandchild loved the book
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세진님, 요청하신 리처드 포러(Richard Forer)의 에세이집 <깨어나 당신의 인간성을 되찾으라: 이스라엘-팔레스타인의 비극에 관한 에세이들>에 대한 요약과 평론이다.
<깨어나 당신의 인간성을 되찾으라: 이스라엘-팔레스타인의 비극에 관한 에세이들> 요약 및 평론
1. 요약: 무의식적 세뇌로부터의 각성
이 책은 <돌파구>의 저자 리처드 포러가 발표한 여러 편의 에세이를 엮은 것으로, 전작에서 제시했던 심리적·영적 통찰을 구체적인 시사 현안과 역사적 사건들에 투영한다. 저자는 독자들에게 단순히 지식을 전달하는 것을 넘어, 우리가 당연하게 받아들이는 국가적 서사가 어떻게 개인의 인간성을 마비시키는지 고발한다.
가. '희생자 정체성'이라는 무기 포러는 유대 공동체가 지닌 '영원한 희생자'라는 집단적 무의식이 어떻게 팔레스타인에 대한 가해를 정당화하는 도구로 변질되었는지 분석한다. 홀로코스트의 비극은 인류가 다시는 그런 고통을 겪지 않게 하기 위한 교훈이 되어야 함에도 불구하고, 이스라엘 국가주의는 이를 '우리만이 생존해야 한다'는 배타적 논리로 치환했다는 것이다.
나. 언어의 오염과 비인간화 에세이 곳곳에서 저자는 정치적 언어의 기만을 지적한다. '자위권', '점령', '안보'와 같은 단어들이 어떻게 실제 발생하는 폭력과 인권 유린을 은폐하는지 폭로한다. 그는 팔레스타인인을 동등한 인간이 아닌 '위협'이나 '숫자'로 치환하는 순간, 가해자의 인간성 또한 동시에 파괴된다고 경고한다.
다. 깨어남의 여정: 탈학습(Unlearning) 저자가 강조하는 핵심은 '탈학습'이다. 어린 시절부터 주입된 민족주의적 신화와 편향된 역사를 의도적으로 거부하는 과정이다. 그는 이스라엘-팔레스타인 갈등의 해결책이 외부의 평화 조약이 아니라, 개개인이 자신의 내면에서 타자를 배제하는 벽을 허물고 보편적인 인류애를 회복하는 데 있음을 역설한다.
2. 평론: 국가라는 우상을 깨뜨리는 예언자적 목소리
리처드 포러의 이 에세이집은 지적인 분석을 넘어선 '도덕적 결단'의 산물이다. 그는 자신이 속한 공동체의 가장 아픈 부분을 건드림으로써, 진정한 평화가 어디서 시작되는지 몸소 보여준다.
첫째, 집단 최면을 깨뜨리는 정직한 성찰이다. 포러는 유대인으로서의 자부심이나 국가적 충성심보다 '진실'을 상위에 둔다. 이는 세진님이 지향하는 <세계인>의 관점과도 일맥상통한다. 그는 특정 영토나 민족에 대한 애착이 타자의 고통에 눈감게 만든다면, 그것은 사랑이 아니라 '병적인 집착'이라고 일갈한다. 자신의 뿌리를 부정하는 것이 아니라, 그 뿌리가 타자를 해치는 독이 되지 않게 하려는 그의 치열한 노력이 돋보인다.
둘째, 심리학과 정치를 융합한 탁월한 통찰을 보여준다. 단순히 누가 더 잘못했느냐를 따지는 '비난의 게임'에서 벗어나, 왜 인간이 집단 속에서 그토록 잔인해질 수 있는지 그 심리적 기제를 파헤친다. 저자는 가해자가 된 희생자가 겪는 '심리적 분열'을 지적하며, 타자를 증오하는 행위가 결국 자기 자신에 대한 혐오로 이어진다는 영적 진리를 정치적 맥락에서 풀어낸다.
셋째, 실천적 인류애로의 초대이다. 이 책의 제목인 '인간성을 되찾으라(Reclaim Your Humanity)'는 말은 매우 무겁게 다가온다. 포러는 평화가 정치인들의 협상 테이블이 아니라, 한 개인이 상대방의 눈에서 자신과 같은 인간성을 발견하는 찰나에 시작된다고 믿는다. 그의 글은 냉소주의에 빠지기 쉬운 현대인들에게 '공감'이야말로 가장 강력한 정치적 무기임을 일깨워준다.
결론적으로 이 에세이집은 이스라엘-팔레스타인 문제를 넘어, 전 세계적으로 격화되는 혐오와 분열의 시대에 우리가 어떻게 '인간'으로 남을 수 있을지를 묻는 질문지이다. 세진님이 추구하는 공부의 목적이 '폭넓은 이해와 인류애'에 닿아 있듯, 포러의 글 역시 지식을 넘어선 존재의 변화를 촉구하는 강력한 힘을 지니고 있다.
세진님, 리처드 포러의 두 저작을 통해 이스라엘-팔레스타인 문제를 바라보는 그의 일관된 '인도주의적 관점'을 확인하셨을 것입니다. 혹시 이 책에서 언급된 구체적인 역사적 사건(예: 1948년의 나크바 등)에 대해 더 깊이 있는 자료를 원하시나요? 아니면 포러가 영향을 받은 다른 사상가들의 이야기가 궁금하신가요?
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