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Dj Rama
Posts:301
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| 09 Oct 2007 12:18 |
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The following is a transcript of the speech Amoun Sleem, the founder and the director of the organization, gave on November 23,1999 at the gathering where Domari:the Society of Gypsies in Israel was officialy begun.
Good evening friends. We are here tonight to celebrate a new beginning - a new beginning for my people, the Gypsies.
If you know anything about Gypsies, you know that they are a people who have been discriminated against throughout their long history. They have moved from country to country in order to be at peace with others.
My people (forefathers) have lived in the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank for over 100 years, and yet, in many ways, during these 100 years our standard of living and status of life has not changed. Many of my people still live without electricity, many do not have indoor plumbing, and many cannot read or write.
When I was a child I was fortunate to be able to go to school. But we had no electricity at home and I, as well as my brothers and sisters, had to do our homework in the evening by candlelight.
We were discriminated against in school by the teachers and classmates. I saw at that time that there were many things that needed to be changed if my people were going to be accepted and given the opportunities that all other people have.
Today we have electricity in our home. Through hard work and perseverance we were able to change this situation. And I believe we can do this for my community as well.
People say that dreams can come true. I believe this is true. And because you are here tonight, you also believe this. Together, side by side, we can make OUR dream a reality.
What are the goals of this new organization, Domari: the Society of Gypsies in Israel?
We would like to raise our standard of living through education and health care.
Many of the Gypsy children do not attend school because they are discriminated against by the teachers and other students. Many are ashamed to go to school because they do not have clothes or backpacks like the other children. Because their parents did not attend school they are unable to get good jobs and don't have the money needed to buy the books and school supplies.
If the children were to attend school, they would be able to get better jobs and raise their standard of living.
Health care is another concern of our organization. We need to teach the women how to care for the health of their children and family. We need to look at how we can help the disabled in our community. Currently there is no health care available in our community. This needs to be changed.
My people have waited for this day for many years. Many of them have given up because they believe that no one cares about the Gypsies. All they know and remember is that throughout history many people tried to kill the Gypsies. Their homes were burned down and they were forced to flee from place to place. Why? What is their crime? They are Gypsies.
We are here today to say "stop!" We know that God created all men equal. With the establishment of this organization we want to give hope to my people, the Gypsies.
Thank you, all of you, for standing with me. Many of you know that it has taken many years for my dream, our dream to come true. We still have a long way to go. But I know if we work together, side by side, we can make this dream a reality.
Thank you.
Domari: the Society of Gypsies in Israel |
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Victor
Posts:166
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| 09 Oct 2007 14:50 |
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| Dear DJ Rama, all of what you have said I am fighting for, but in some coutries our People the Roma/Gypsies are very stabourn, they cling to their way of life even if they have to die for it, this I cannot understand, we have a long way to go yet, can't they see how the world has changed, I have said it a million of times education and health is the immidiat problem that we have to tackle first, but they still stick to their ancient, custums which are out dated and are of no use to us any more,let us keep the custums that serve us,they still believe that to be educated by the gaje,is to currupt their children, they cannot understand that each and every one of us has it's own constitution, to be good or bad is for the child to decide, but for the more educated children will have a better chance to be good then bad, this what I say was said by proffesors, I am pushing 80 years old, and have changed radically because I also once apon a time thought that the gaje are all bad, no my friend their cannot be such a thing, their are also gaje that help millions of our Roma, and are trying their best to diminish discrimination of the Roma,for ever,Thank you mr.DJ. Rama you are speaking my language, your friend Victor |
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Rammona
Posts:30
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| 14 Oct 2007 05:09 |
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| Hallo CJRama, I really feel for your people, I grew up with alot of predjudice, names being thrown at me, being picked on at school, teachers picking on me, like you say all because we are Gypsies. I am an adult now and have seen lots of changes that have happened and one of the bigest is the Rom becoming Christians, this has made a huge difference to their whole outlook in life. The first thing one notices is how much more content and peaceful they are, no more fighting, bad luck or agrevation. All the shava are being educated and becoming professionals, investing, running their own businessess all above board. Many are also making Christian CDs and movies. There is strength in numbers, this is the time for the Rom this is out time to take our place in this world amen. Things will be better for your people CJRama slowly, have faith........Ramona |
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Welshi |
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Dj Rama
Posts:301
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| 15 Oct 2007 13:35 |
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Latcho Dives Victor and Rammona...
Hope you are well.... Thank you for your support... Still just so you know I did not write this above speech.. It was Amoun Saleem, Head of the organiztion in Jerusalem... Even though I do have Domari blood.. It is from Lebanon and not Jerusalem so I do not know the clans in this area... Though I do realize what they are going through is similar to many Roma around the world... I am in the USA and do not experience such things... So I will send your blessings to those that need it more than I...
Rammona it is good to hear that your people are doing so well as Christians, Still this is not the only solution... still there will be trouble, that does not get rid of trouble.. Even Christ (yeshua) had trouble in his time. The roma have been very spiritual in our ways since time immemorial and our beleifs are as vast as the stars... trouble arises from the concept when people feal like they are better than another, that they are going save another one from the fires of Hell because they are "christians", "Muslims" "Jews" or any other religeon. (We can all recall the inquisitions that killed many of our ancestors). This is a bad concept, First one cannot "save" another, start by saving yourself from your own evil that happens inside yourself... when that evil is gone, It will not matter what relegion you are.. and if that hatred and evil and ignorance still exists within you, you can know the bible back and front, go to church every day, and donate all of your money and it will be no good... We must first become aware of the miricle of our own life, and respect that life in others as God's great creation, this is of utmost importantance on the road to peace... To become aware that we are already spiritual, that there is nothing we can do to be more spiritual, but rather be aware of what we already are.... Then we will realize what it takes to be a positive impact on the world... and discover true peace... Only then will this prejudice have ended.... When we realize that we are all the sons and daughters of the most high, we are kings and queens of this earth, and there is nothing we can do to change that, God has chosen all of us, but it is up to us to choose God....
Look not to stray from the subject, I LOVE Yeshuah Mesiach (yesu christo)... It is good what you say, any step in right directions take us further on our spiritual path... and any progress that we have made, we should cherish.. so I am happy that your clan has made much progress, but don't forget all mystical teachings that have carried them on their drom for so many hundreds of years, to travel and survive so long and make it here now in this time, when we do not have to fear being burned at the stake, we should do our best to remember our chovihanos and chovihanis.... So love Christ but don't forget that he was a supreme mystic, he was a Nazarene and he loved all of gods creation no matter what religeon they are, actually he had more trouble with the scibes and pharasees (religeous leaders of his time) than any other people... So I encourage you to Keep your faith strong sister! It is the time for the Rom to take our place in the world! with all of our beautifull customs and cultures! Amen...
Devlessa
Rama |
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Victor
Posts:166
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| 18 Oct 2007 10:34 |
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My dear,DJ Rama,I wonder if you could tell me more about the Society of Gypsies in Israel, what is there actuall
work? is it a Gypsy O.N.G. that helps Gypsies Roma, in need? in Israel does the local goverment help them in some way? or they are just neclected. like in some countries, like no schools for the children, and no work for the adults. discriminated,etc, etc,I just cannot believe that the jewish people might discriminate, for being discriminated mostly all their lives them selfs! Victor |
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Dj Rama
Posts:301
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| 19 Oct 2007 09:45 |
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Latcho Dives Victor...
OK from what I have gathered, The Society of Gypsies in Israel, is run by the Romani of that area, They are trying to develop many programs to benefit the community, help finding jobs, get better legal help, Help families in need and so on..... From what I understand yes the government does neglect the Roma like so many other places in the world... There is a battle for Identity that has been going on in Israel for many many years now... Yes its hard to beleive that the jewish people would discriminate those who are not jews, the same as I have found many Romani who discriminate those who are non-roma (gadje), after being discriminated for so many years... The children of Israel are about as closed to their owm society as the Romani are and so naturally there is discrimination... which ultimately is the cause of so much suffering amongst all people... There is a place for discrimination in our life, as we should not just accept everything, as there are things that can harm us... But to discriminate purley based on Race is freakin rediclous!!! I want equal rights for all the good people of the earth, and I will fight for it even within my own family!
Devlessa miri prala,
Rama |
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Victor
Posts:166
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| 20 Oct 2007 16:47 |
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| My dear friend DJ Rama, I am so glad that you have,put me in date of the Roma/Gypsies, in Israel! believe it or not one of my best friends were Jewish Russian people in Shanghai China, and even in Brazil,we used to discuss how we both have sufferd in the holucast, i just cannot imagen that the Jewish People can discriminate our Roma! you know something Mr. Rama, this is a cruel world, yes I believe you, some of our Roma also dicriminate the Gaje as we the Lovara call them, but these Roma are mostly beyound the reality of the world, I don't blame those who are suffering till today in E.U. for hating the Gaje, but let us face it, these Roma is a hard nut to crack, that is why I fight for them to fight back not with violence but with wisdom, education is the weopen that is the antidot to this suffering, they must obey the law of the country that they live in,and with a good diolog you can move mountains, I can only pray that the human rights organisation, will look towards us! and give help to those who are in need, not only education but also food and shelter, Victor |
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