A word of explanation...

... might be in order.

At the end of yesterday's second post (yes, I actually published two entries in one day!), there was a short note that read:

"Cross-blogged @ Israelity... the soft underbelly of Israel21c"

I've been so jazzed about this new endeavor that I forgot I hadn't written anything about it here on treppenwitz.

My bad.

Israel21c (Israel in the 21st century) is a site that has finally done what nobody seems to have been able to accomplish.  It has elevated the discussion of all things Israeli above and beyond 'the conflict'.  Simply put, Israel21c refuses to allow Israel's detractors to define/limit the image of Israel that is presented to the world.

This may seem like a very simple concept, but to date not one web site, blog, news service, email list, lobby group or advocacy organization has even attempted to frame the discussion of Israel in anything but the terms selected by its detractors: The conflict. 

It's like having a close friend that talks incessantly about his health problems whenever you get together.  After a while you have to chose between taking charge of the discussion... or reluctantly allowing the friendship to slip away.

You and I know that loving Israel is so much more than mounting a cogent argument against the accusation /bias du jour.  Yet if you take a moment to look over your 'sent items' box I'm sure the overwhelming majority of Israel-related stuff you've been forwarding has been limited to this very narrow range of discussion. 

Also, if you look down the list of recipients to whom you sent those strident missives, the names probably look like a list of donors on a UJA/ Federation fundraising list. In short, you're sending out clarifications, petitions and rants to people who probably don't really need convincing.

What's happened is we've all unwittingly become that friend who can't talk about anything but his bad back... his prostate... his gout.... and it's high time someone took charge of the discussion.

Israel21c lives up to it's tag line: "A focus beyond the conflict".

What you'll find on this attractive, well written site is positive stuff about Israel that transcends political, religious and cultural 'turf'. 

To put it in terms that Sunday New York Times junkies might understand:  This is like finally being able to get past the front page and op-eds in order to spend some quality time curled up with the Arts & Leisure, Science and Regional sections.  If Israel 21c had a crossword puzzle I think I'd just cry from sheer happiness!

One of the neat things connected to Israel 21c is a collaborative blog called Israelity (Life beyond the conflict).  I'm one of several Israeli bloggers/journalers who will be contributing to this new forum.  As with Israel21c, Israelity is about everything and anything except the conflict.

I don't know how often I will be contributing to Israelity (just as I never know in advance how often I'll be updating treppenwitz), but my guess would be once or twice a week. 

Sometimes I may cross-blog (meaning I will post the same entry both here and there), and other times I will publish in only one of the two venues.   I guess I'll see what works best.  In any event, it pays to bookmark both Israelity and Israel21c because they will always be brimming with lot's of fresh, positive content.

So now that I've explained the cryptic little note from yesterday's post, I hope you're as excited as I am that we finally have an opportunity to take charge of the discussion... and renew our special friendship with the real Israel.