Commentaries from the Edge Keren Goldberg

Turning 90 years old to Harvey Keenan means simply opening new doors to walk through continuing his involvements in the community. What is his key to having a vibrant life at any age? He advocates for remembering that there are choices to make to keep yourself on a path to meaning and purpose to your days. Harvey likes the term Elder for himself, not old, a way of thinking of yourself with dignity and respect. Listen to his menu of activities and commitments. He gives his energy to it all with a devotion to family and friends at the same time. At 90 years old he is an inspired man, and gives inspiration to others.

At the moment of this podcast episode recording, the world is waiting to see the very future of war in the Middle East, the very future of war or peace in the world.  What better time to highlight a program with a legacy of bringing Muslims and Jews together.  It is called “NEW GROUND:  A Muslim Jewish Partnership for Change”, which has been operating in Los Angeles, California, for the last 17 years.   Its programming creates a learning curve for its participants in workshops and specialized trainings.  The Communication and Operations Coordinator, Ben Ginsburg, gives the listeners a full description, bringing hope in the midst of conflict, promoting understanding in the midst of growing prejudice against both groups. 

To Contact:   The website - www.MJNewGround.org

New Ground Telephone, (818) 856-0815, Los Angeles, California, USA

Once again the prominent leader in the mental health field, Dr. Marvin J. Southard, joined the Podcast program as a guest for the fourth time. Continuing the theme of divisiveness in the United States society and how it has impacted much of pubic and private lives, Dr. Southard reflects on the recent passage of the controversial political Proposition 1, in the recent California elections. He is looking through the lens of divisiveness in seeing a model cure as many conservative and progressive voters came together to try and defeat the proposed law. It narrowly passed by a slim margin of over 50%, and yet left a legacy of how disparate groups can agree on a common cause. Listen to Dr. Southard discuss the parts of the Proposition and its way of redesigning the California mental health system. Then find some optimism for the future with the possibility of a bridge over our troubled divisiveness.

This is the moment that TOMORROW’s WOMEN, created 20 years ago, was made for, a moment bleak with pain and suffering after October 7th, offering hope and a vision forward. Listen to the young women alumnae of the program, Noga Bar Oz, Lana Ikelan, both talking from Jerusalem, and the Executive Director, Holly Morris from the offices in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, tell their story about this program. TOMORROW’S WOMEN brings young women from Israel to a beautiful Camp in the nature of Santa Fe, far from conflicts and turmoil, to have a three week experience that changes them forever. At this moment the young women are preparing for a tour to the United States together with the Executive Director on March 7th. Listen to where they will be in Seattle, Washington until March 11th, and in Los Angeles, California, from March 12th to the 17th. If you are in the area at that time you may meet them at the UCLA Hillel and the Stephen Wise Temple, (310) 476-8561.
Lana and Noga are on a journey to show how they became peacemakers and leaders in their communities, imagining and working toward a better future even in the midst of war. Their goal is to inspire all of us for change, for justice and for equality and peace.
Shalom - Salem
To Contact - email holly@tomorrowswomen.org
For more information - go to their Website

Israel is a traumatized nation since the morning of October 7th, when Hamas Terrorists entered the land and went on a rampage of killing, torturing and raping. Israel is the only nation where repeatedly its very existence is threatened and yet, it is populated by a people, like everyone everywhere, who only want peace, a secure life for health and happiness.
This episode of Commentaries From the Edge highlights an Israeli organization called The Ariel Center. In talking with its founder, Gila Rockman, we learn that the Center was created in memory of her Brother, Ariel Goldsmith. It is dedicated to serving those affected by trauma and now, after October 7th, the Center is focused on healing and treating an entire generation. Listen to their array of projects rooted in promoting resiliency with the theme of transforming adversity into strength and despair into hope. Gila explains that most recently they are building The Ariel Village in the southern area of Israel, which she is calling “a healing hub”. Their website will give more details and ways their method is a model for treating trauma anywhere in the world. Www.thearielcenter.org - to volunteer and/or make a donation.

It is a New Year, 2024, and we are walking through turbulence in the United States in many ways. There is climate turbulence, political turbulence and the turbulence of a divided society increasingly breaking into hostile groups. All of this feels more consequential because the U. S. is heading toward a Presidential election by the end of the year which will impact the global community.
Addressing this divisiveness and their consequences, Dr. Marvin J. Southard, a longtime leader in the field of mental health, visits the podcast program for the third time and once again gives us a roadmap for coping in these times. Listen and learn how Dr. Southard offers us a recipe for empowering ourselves to face a world full of challenges today and into the future.