St. Aidan's Espiscopal Ann Arbor MI
West Side United Methodist Church Ann Arbor MI
Zion Lutheran Ann Arbor MI
Edgewood United Church East Lansing MI
Red Cedar Friends Meeting East Lansing MI
Friends of the Light (Quakers) Traverse City MI

For a complete list, see http://www.nrcat.org/storage/nrcat/documents/banner_list_6-11-08.pdf

It was the intention of JWPF that we be included in the local anti-torture campaign, and were excited that Chuck Warpehoski, Director of ICPJ, opened the invitation to purchase banners by non-religious groups. Quoting Chuck: "And of course, you don't have to be religious to affirm that torture is wrong. You can also order a banner for your house, workplace, or civic group!"

JWPF replied immediately and accepted the apparent offer, but was informed by Chuck, who shared our request with at least the Executive Committee of ICPJ, that ICPJ would not sell JWPF a banner.

Why? Again quoting Chuck: "In October 2005 the ICPJ steering committee passed a resolution requesting that the JWPF stop the picketing. The banners that ICPJ is distributing have ICPJ's logo on them. ICPJ will not be associated with the pickets. You can buy a banner without the ICPJ logo at http://www.nrcat.org/. "

Where's the logic here? JWPF members feel that torture is wrong, and should be repudiated as a tactic by any and every group associated with peace and justice. Why would ICPJ use this to exclude JWPF from participation in a local campaign when we share the common ground of opposing torture? After all, "finding common ground" is supposed to be an ICPJ "core value".

And, lest readers forget, JWPF never refused the request by the Council to stop our vigils. Rather in a spirit of open, friendly dialogue, we responded to their request and merely asked for some clarification before we could address their request. But now, like then, the entire matter was dropped by ICPJ. Our last attempt at communication with Chuck re: the banner order was May 23. Readers may view ICPJ's 2005 request here, and our response here.

We ask where is ICPJ's commitment to stopping torture? And will Beth Israel join ranks with us and other local churches to make their voice heard?

The topics that dominated the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice's June meeting were examining the financial report and discussions of fund raising. Responding to Board member Bryan's questioning the need for fund raisers Chuck Warpehoski said "Grace [Kotre] is now full time in part to work on development and why we still need to do fund raisers". In part money must be generated to support the two-person staff salary of $74,000. Peace ain't cheap. Except peace didn't play much of a part in the 90 minutes this writer spent at the meeting. Who minds that an unopposed war in Iraq is raging, and the genocide of the Palestinian people continues apace, when there is money to be raised? After all, planning for the September Strategic Planning Retreat might require the services of a $1500-2000 "facilitator fee."

Vicky Wellman, former fund raising counselor and now Board member, pumped up her fellow board members by saying "Fund raising is becoming part of a system ... and I think it's real progress". Fund raising goals were then passed by acclamation. 

It was also announced by President Ruth Kraut that ICPJ would be opening a money market account at the South Shore Bank in Chicago. After the announcement came the shepherded vote to approve; selection of signers were designated as members of the executive committee and Chuck.

What was that "peace and justice" part again??

Former ICPJ Board member Arthur Bublitz passed away on May 21st. Art suffered from Parkinson's disease, and would be seen by this writer using the elevator and a walker to attend ICPJ meetings until his health forced him to quit last year. It was assumed that the organization to which he devoted his time and energy would have held a tribute to him, or at least uttered some kind words, but none were heard at the June meeting. Also perplexing was the presence of only one former Board member at Art's memorial service at First Presbyterian Church on June 7th. Art deserved better.


8 Vigillers
Zionism is Racism
Henry Herskovitz
Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends