A Safe Space

Hi Everyone!

It’s been so long since my last blog post that I don’t recognise the WP format! 

So the other day I went to a meeting where the idea of safe spaces was discussed. We kept on speaking about “creating a safe space” for dialogue and discussion. In the aftermath of a particularly destructive Israel Apartheid Week many individuals were speaking about ‘safe spaces’. However, I want to know what a safe space is, and if that is actually what people want. 

So what is a safe space? Facebook has been witness to a lambasting of Habonim Dror’s new poster for Shorashim, a tour to Israel, where they have left out the occupied territories out of the map of Israel. There was intense criticism on Facebook, where many saw it as their obligation to point out where Habonim were right or wrong, attacking or defending. For me, as an Habonim Chaver (or friend of Habonim), it was very upsetting to see such hate, on both sides of the spectrum. Was this a safe space? A tsunami of hate crashing down on Facebook? I don’t think so…

Is a safe space a place where I can debate about what I think is right, you refute that, and we leave as we came, our minds not open to other opinions? Can you continue to be courteous and friendly to an individual who is ideologically opposed you? I don’t know. I’m confused myself. Maybe my question is whether there is such a thing as a ‘safe space’, or whether we are continuously walking on eggshells or shouting at the top of our lungs.

I’ll be thinking about that at my Seder, if the wine won’t make my mind too fuzzy. 

Have a good Shabbas, and a Chag Pesach Sameach!

Craig