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There were thousands of responses to Rabbi Lerner’s talk at the memorial for Muhammad Ali, but we only have room for a few in this print edition of Tikkun. To see a video of the talk online and to view more comments, visit www.tikkun.org/ali

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Chazak v’ematz (the blessing, “Be strong and courageous”) to Rabbi Michael Lerner for this AMAZINGLY courageous eulogy for Muhammad Ali!

He not only said it in the true Jewish spirit that I live by; he said it to, and in the face of those who weren’t expecting to hear it, who have everything to gain or lose from it, and to those who HAD NO IDEA that we, many Jews around the world, think and live like that.

Absorb his words, watch the reaction of the attendees, and understand how deeply such words at such an occasion have the ability to change the game; the world game of power, control, empires, occupation, and visions of “the other.”

He hits on almost all the open nerves and isn’t ashamed to say the right thing, as he did with Ali against the War in Indo-China. He is attracting flack already from those who fear; fear of “the other” for lack of a universal understanding that we are the “other” of our other. We must speak to our others and reassure them that we, their other, are just as they; looking for a good life for us, our family, and our friends. We must all understand that the ONLY way to assure that for US is to also assure that for our “other.” It hasn’t worked for 10,000 years to ignore or fight our other. Only when we respect our other as we respect ourselves will we achieve true peace. And only after we achieve true (not total) peace, will we achieve true (not total) security.

Jews of the world, it is time to raise our heads and be proud of our people. Rabbi Michael Lerner has afforded us this moment in the world. Let’s absorb it, learn from it, and implement its ramifications from this moment on. Let’s call out those of ours who will condemn him or his words. Let’s have the courage to stand up against those who would superglue us in this world of conflict, our world of fear, hate, and occupation! They’re coming! They’re on the attack. BE READY. I’ve already read their comments in other places.

We have it within our power, should we decide to take it, to change the world for the better. It’s the spirit of Judaism, of Islamic ideals, of Christianity, and of humanity. Let’s be strong and courageous to unite and end the fear of the other that leads to hatred, suppression, violence, and wars.

— Moshe Chertoff, Shamerat, Hazafon, Israel

Bless you, Rabbi, for that impassioned presentation!

As a Muslim poet, of Palestinian background, I’m very moved to hear this.

Peace, all ways.

— Yahia Lababidi, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

I was electrified with glee (after watching Rabbi Lerner’s talk), smiling ear to ear. It gave me added hope that good Americans will overcome the racism and hate speech that Donald Trump uses to attract people who just don’t know any better.

— John DeSombre

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