We had the pleasure of meeting and listening to Mark Patinkin Monday evening, 13 May. Mark is an Author of several books, nationally syndicated columnist for the Providence Journal, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for International Reporting, recipient of three New England Emmy Awards for television commentaries, cousin to actor Mandy Patinkin.
Mark spoke to us of his recent journey to Israel and Gaza after the tragic attack on 7 Oct by Hamas. "He visited the Holy sites of Jerusalem, walked the streets of the West Bank, spoke with survivors of the Nova Music Festival, toured Kibbutz Be'eri (the worst hit community of the October 7 attack), discovered the hardships of life in Gaza during the Israeli attacks and finally visited Gaza with the Israel Defense Forces. His trip culminated with a ray of hope on the last day as he visited the Orchard of Abraham's School for Jewish and Muslim children. There, he discovers the school's mission: tikkun olam. It means repairing the world." Mark reported in his final ProJo column about this journey, "I've learned a difficult truth. The divide between Palestinian and Jew is perhaps as wide as it's ever been. Many Israelis who once were for peace doubt after 7 October that they have a partner for it. And Palestinian anger over Gaza's ruins has hardened hearts."
