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Peace Community

Peace and Justice Links

Living Lightly:

By MEMBERS OF THE JEZREEL VALLEY CHAPTER, BAT SHALOM, JERUSALEM

We, women of Bat Shalom, are committed to act, advocate and fight for equal rights between Jews and Arabs within Israel.

We believe that in order to bring about genuine and lasting social changes, it is important that women fulfill central roles in this struggle. We feel that the struggle for peace includes the struggle for equality and partnership between all citizens: Jews and Arabs, women and men.

Inequality is not just an Arab problem, but the problem of Israeli society in general which affects the entire society's character; it enforces racist stereotypes and encourages disregard for human values. The joint struggle paves the way for changing opinions and concepts; it is an important part in realizing the idea of cooperation and equality.

With the goal of creating real and just co-existence, we are working for recognition, equality, cooperation and the honoring of all peoples, nations, cultures and religions existing in our area; our goal is to achieve equality between all the citizens in Israel.

We believe that all the people living in this area, women and men, have the right to live in freedom and equality.

We demand the enforcement of equality, the equalization of conditions and budgets in the following areas:

The right to a home; a solution for the displaced, the uprooted and the uncharted villages, zoning plans for development and residential construction, reserve land and water resources, and the establishment of new Arab towns and villages.

The right to education and cultural expression; there is an urgent need for affirmative action; building of new schools and nursery schools, additional classrooms and teaching positions for the existing schools; development of study programs that will express the Palestinian heritage and cultural values; use of Arabic as an official language in all documents issued by government offices.

The right to work and make a living; the creation of industrial areas in the Arab areas; implementation of the law against discrimination in work and salaries; development of plans for training and advancement of workers in scientific and technological jobs.

The right to health and welfare; creation of clinics and health centers in Arab towns, development of preventative medicine; advancement of plans for rehabilitation of special groups.

The right to personal security; eliminate the use of firearms against demonstrators and dismiss Elik Rom, police chief of the Northern Command, who was personally responsible for shedding the blood of Arab citizens in northern Israel.

We demand that all these subjects be placed on the public agenda. Peace can exist only when all citizens have equal rights.

ACTION: Bat Shalom is a feminist peace organization working toward a just peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Bat Shalom, together with The Jerusalem Center for Women, a Palestinian women's peace organization, comprise The Jerusalem Link.

A great grandmother's favorite books - or - Books are the gift that keeps on giving
By MYRTLE OSNER

The Stanislaus County Library posts flyers that categorize the best of a number of different age groups and types of books you might like to check out. Each flyer is a different color, and the lists are graded: starting with "For the Youngest," you’ll find there some old favorites, such as Goodnight Moon" and (my favorite) Mama Do You Love Me" The lists progress through Preschool, K-1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grades 5/6, and Grades 6/7.

Missing from these lists are some old classics which I’d like to push because I still think they are wonderful child-raisers: A.A. Milne's whole set starting with When we were very young and Now We are Six (poetry ideal for reading aloud) and continuing through the Winnie the Pooh books. I don’t see how anyone can raise a child without them.

Other old favorite authors still in print are Madeleine L’Engle’s children’s series of fantasy, A Wrinkle in Time and its two sequels. (she has lots of others but these are the most famous). My favorite, A Ring of Endless Light. You may wish to try the C.S. Lewis Narnia Chronicles, also, definitely classics but not for everybody. (Try The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe while you are waiting for the next Harry Potter.)

The leaflet titled "Read Aloud Family Favorites" has some of the best titles on it. Out of that list I would pick: the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary (meet Ramona Quimby, one of the best loved characters in children’s literature.) The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner—orphaned children make a home for themselves in an abandoned red boxcar.

To Owls in the Family, by Farley Mowat (his stories of life as a kid in Canada are priceless) I would add The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be. And then for more mature children, you should definitely read The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett. Many women have told me that this story is their all time favorite to this day. Also try Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O’Brien. You’ll root for the rats as they outwit NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) to save Mrs. Frisby’s son, a field mouse.

Two others are must-reads: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, set in depression-era Oklahoma, and Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry, by Mildred Taylor. An African-American family’s strong ties to each other and to the land help them defy racism in the 1930’s South. Most of our children of today need these stories to help them understand our history in terms of how it affected children like them. Last year I recommended books by Lawrence Yep because they give, in story form, the life of the Chinese laborers who came to California during the gold rush and stayed to become part of the fabric of our diverse state.

By the time you get this paper, the main library children’s room will undoubtedly have its lists of best of 2000 which you can pick up at the desk.

By KELLY VILLALOBOS

Reading allows us to connect with children on many levels. The most obvious connection is the bonding with our children that occurs naturally in the actual process of sitting down and reading. The closeness and conversation that come along with this process are the building blocks of relationships with our children.

Reading with or to a child can also help plant seeds of influence. As parents we often feel stymied by outside influences that attract our children despite our disapproval. Spending time with your child every day reading, talking and sharing with them can help curb these outside influences. Through this time spent together you can pass along your values and offer alternatives and choices to your child that he or she may not have considered.

Here are some ideas to help in this process:

1. Be an example yourself. Show your interest in reading books, magazines, newspapers, letters, cereal boxes, street signs, etc.

2. Set aside a specific reading time. It doesn’t really matter when the time is as long as it is consistent. The easiest time for all, though, is probably bedtime. This is a good winding down activity. You can read to your child on some nights, and on other nights have your child read to you. For a nice variation, sit or lie down together but read your own books independently.

3. Check out the library: The library is such a wonderful resource. There are books for children of all ages. Our local libraries have a great selection of baby and toddler books as well as a baby/toddler friendly environment. Make sure to check out the story times and family nights on the Stanislaus County Library website.

4. Go on an outing to a bookstore: Help your child choose a book, choose one for yourself, order hot chocolates and enjoy each other’s company!

5. Make your child aware of the letters and words in their environment: In addition to making your child aware of the words in the books you read him/her, point out the letters and words on billboards, bubble bath bottles, shopping lists, clothing tags, food labels, etc.

6. Take books with you wherever you go: Whether your trip is to the grocery store, the doctor’s office or a long road trip, books are a fun way for your child to pass time and avoid boredom. Keep a handy book bag ready to go.

Newborns and Toddlers:

Children at this age respond best to brightly colored books with simple objects in them. These include books with people pictures and nature and object books. Books do not need to have words in them to be meaningful. For newborns, pointing out the objects and colors aid vocabulary development. Books with real pictures in them are also very engaging for children at this age. Toddlers can make up their own stories to encourage creative thinking. Books with rhythm and rhyme are great for children of this age. The most appropriate type of books for these children are board books or cloth books. They are hard to destroy and easy to clean.
Recommended Titles:

Books:

• Baby’s Book of Nature or any of the Dorling Kindersly Publishing picture books
• Baby Faces by Margaret Miller
• Colors by Anne Geddes

Magazines:

• Babybug (Published by Cricket Magazine Group)
• Wild Animal Baby (National Wildlife Federation)

Pre-School and Kindergarten:

Books with predictable story lines and rhythm are excellent for children at this age because they can take an active part in the telling of the story. Mother Goose and other nursery rhyme books are also a good choice. Counting books and alphabet books are good teaching tools at this age to prepare for kindergarten. Another good choice for children this age is non-fiction books. Books focusing on animals, objects and people are not only of high interest to the child but a good learning tool about the world in which we live.

Books:

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin
• Harriet You’ll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox
• Random House Book of Nursery Rhymes by Helen Craig

Magazines:

• Ladybug (published by Cricket Magazine Group)
• Sesame Street Magazine

Kindergarten to Second Grade:

When reading to children in this age group, choose picture books with good story lines and dynamic characters. Picture books come in both fiction and non fiction and are often good teaching tools for academic purposes as well as social development. Picture books are also full of rich vocabulary for children. Children at this age still love the rhyme and rhythm of literature but with more complex story lines. Also offer poetry books and chapter books on the child’s level to expose them to various literacy genres.

For children reading on their own, choose books with text simple enough to read at the child’s individual level. This may range anywhere from alphabet books to words with simple text. Select books for independent reading that are basic in content as well as text. These books use everyday vocabulary and don’t have hard to understand story lines enabling the early reader to become a strong and independent reader.

Books:

• Anything written by Dr. Seuss
• Picture book authors: Allen Say, Kevin Henkes, Marc Brown,
• Series chapter books: Cam Janson by David Adler, Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant, Little Bill Books by Bill Cosby, and Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne,
• The 20th Century Children’s Book Treasury by Janet Schulman
• Poetry: It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles and 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasure by Jack Prelutsk

Magazines:

• Highlights Magazine
• Ranger Rick (National Wildlife Federation )
• Spider (Cricket Magazine Group)

Third grade and up:

Children at this stage of reading are able to handle more complex types of literature such as chapter books and essays. However, picture books are still excellent choices for these readers. The most important thing to keep in mind for readers at this age is to let them take an active part in the selection process. The child’s personal interest should guide the book selection. Another thing to consider is that even though these readers are at a level of independent reading, still take the time, if you can, to read to your child at night. Reading aloud fosters vocabulary enrichment, helps with word pronunciation and reading comprehension. It also is another way to spend good quality time with your child.

Recommended Titles:

Books:

• Picture Books: Anything by Patricia Polacco
• Chapter Books: Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Magazines:

• Kids Discovery
• Sports Illustrated for Kids
• Cricket Magazine

Happy Reading!

Come home to Poets' State
By Tina Arnopole Driskill

Take Modesto's Poet Laureate, add an Oxford and National Endowment for the Arts poetry scholar, throw in the founder and editor of In the Grove literary magazine, spice it up with three Licensed Fools, blend them all together with environmental activist and poet Lillian Vallee, and you have a tasty recipe for the second Poets' State scheduled for January 13 in Modesto's State Theatre.

The second series event will begin with an interactive poetry workshop from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. led by In the Grove editor Lee Herrick. Readings will begin at 7 p.m. with some of the area's finest poets, including Herrick, Modesto Poet Laureate debee loyd, poetry scholar Lee Nicholson, and Licensed Fools Sheila Landre, Gary Thomas, and Gillian Wegener. A dessert reception and book signing will follow.

Tingstad & Rumbel bring warming sounds to Sunday Afternoons at CBS

By Tina Arnopole Driskill

A winter afternoon with Narada artists Tingstad & Rumbel is like sipping hot cocoa next to a glowing fireplace, and area residents will have an opportunity for just such as experience January 14, when the acoustic duo offers their warm and comforting sounds as part of the Sunday Afternoons at CBS concert series beginning at 3 p.m. in Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto.

Their musicianship and harmonious stage presence lend a magical quality to any concert. Eric Tingstad is a master guitarist and Nancy Rumbel enchants with oboe, English horn and double ocarina. The two share an interest in preserving natural, architectural and other endangered treasures, which is reflected in many of their contemporary instrumental selections.