Call it a case of cosmic coincidence: A Jewish organization is about to launch a viral campaign that touts the value of forgiveness. This occurs just after actor Mel Gibson made an initial pass at apologizing to the Jewish community for anti-Semitic comments he uttered while being arrested for speeding and drunk driving.
The National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP) will promote the campaign through its donor e-newsletter, through marketing e-mails to names within its database and to its paper newsletter. It will also be advertised on several Web sites that contain content of Jewish interest. To generate interest and pass-along value, the site includes a poll that allows visitors to vote on whether Gibson should be forgiven.
All materials link back to a Web site, Project Forgiveness (www.projectforgiveness.com), which NJOP had been developing long before Gibson's July 27 arrest. The site was originally intended as a lead-in to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Projectforgiveness.com features postcards–both electronic and photos of physical ones—requesting forgiveness that have been sent in by penitents.
"The Jewish New Year places a strong emphasis on requesting and granting forgiveness," said Ilya Welfeld, an NJOP spokesperson. "There is a notion that you cannot ask forgiveness from God if you have not asked forgiveness from a human being you've wronged."
While the postcards can be anonymous, both from the sender and to the recipient, "We hope that people will be inspired by others’ expressions of forgiveness," said NJOP founder and director Rabbi Ephriam Z. Buchwald. "Perhaps after first taking the first step online, some will connect directly to mend fences."
Initial apologies posted, aside from Gibson's, include those both to people and God. One postcard expresses regret for "not helping you tear down this wallpaper in your new house" and includes a swath of the wallpaper, which is very tear-downable. Another apologizes to God for watching television on the Sabbath, in violation of the commandment. ("I was alone and really lonely," offered the writer, by way of explanation.)
Gibson's need for an apology stems from several statements he made after being stopped for speeding and drunk driving. During his arrest, he said "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and made an unfortunate comment to a female officer.
Gibson's July 27 arrest, and subsequent apology to the Jewish community, provided an unexpected initial boost for the program. Projectforgiveness.com's first listing consists of a snippet from Gibson's press release, along with links to articles on the arrest and the full text of his apology.
As for Gibson's apology itself, Buchwald is taking a wait-and-see approach. "The Talmud states: In a place where the penitent stands, even the most righteous can not stand," he said in a statement. "We understand Gibson is seeking treatment for alcohol abuse and wish him a complete recovery. If Gibson indeed takes responsibility for his actions when he is well, and is sincere in his regret, than his apology will be welcomed."
