…like the branches and leaves of a tree, no one person stands alone. Manifestly linked with all who have gone before and all who will come after, joined to those who may seem remote, indeed, humanity itself branches and spreads, never losing the essential rootedness that connects us all. Trees themselves serve as a wonderful symbol for this human connection. The seed planted today bears fruit not for me, perhaps, but for my children, and theirs. And, as Sandy Tolan’s The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East makes beautifully clear, the tree that “belongs” to me may well “belong” to someone else, as well. “Tu B’Shevat: Tree of the Field” Rabbi John Friedman, Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, The Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace.

“The Lemon Tree illustrates the Palestinian and Israeli narratives, and shows how inextricably tied they are. For some this is heresy, for many others it is the long overdue beginning of doubt, reflection … and honesty. The Lemon Tree is honest enough to remain politically ambiguous and does not propose a happy ending. On the personal level, it is fresh and heart-warming, with a hint of hope. The real lemon tree died. But the home, now Open House, remains. We are left to fill in the blanks.” “One House, Two Families” Allan Solomonow Director of the Middle East Peace Program in the Pacific Mountain Region of the American Friends Service Committee, Peacework, October 2006.

The Lemon Tree, The title of this moving, well-crafted book refers to a tree in the backyard of a home in Ramla, Israel. The home is currently owned by Dalia, a Jewish woman whose family of Holocaust survivors emigrated from Bulgaria. But before Israel gained its independence in 1948, the house was owned by the Palestinian family of Bashir, who meets Dalia when he returns to see his family home after the Six-Day War of 1967. Journalist Tolan (Me & Hank) traces the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the parallel personal histories of Dalia and Bashir and their families. Episcopal Peace Fellowship

I have recommended many books over the course of the years to JRC members, but I must tell you I can scarcely recall a book recommendation that has inspired as many passionate responses as this particular book…In its way, I think this image of the open door might be a powerful spiritual metaphor for own disempowered age. That regardless of the rise and fall of the events of the world outside - and if history is any guide, they will continue to rise and fall - we can still choose to open the door to the possibility of connection, of healing, of peace in our world. The Open Door: A Sermon for Rosh Hashanah, Shalom Rav, Blogthoughts by Rabbi Brant Rosen

If you are using The Lemon Tree in your congregation or peace organization, please write us about your experience.