Ira's Notes

It has come to my attention that a clarification may be in order on the use of the word “man”.

Throughout our (KK’s and mine) life, marriage, work and art our intentions were and still are to revere all living beings including all human beings.  This is part of the reason why Biodynamic methods appealed to us.  Although KK has passed on, I want to make the following clear.

We loved, respected, honored and supported each other throughout our lives.  When KK studied philosophy and religion, Jungian studies, mythology and social justice -so did I.  When I studied the arts and architecture KK did also.  Whether she became a Montessori teacher or the first female licensed General Contractor in Suffolk County or my best architectural critic (she always had the last say in constructing our designs– if she wanted to improve my design, she built it her way) we worked as a team of equals.

We were founding board members, architects and builders of Camp Fiver (now Fiver Children’s Foundation) helping 550 financially disadvantaged children each year with summer and year-round activities and opportunities…” Empowering children to make positive life choices”.

We were not the same although some said that “Ira and KK” was one word.  We shared the same goals although not the same way to get there.  We used our separate talents to be...like separate columns holding up the same edifice.

We believed in equal rights, opportunities, voting rights, pay and respect for people of all sexes, orientation, all religions and all colors while at the same time knowing that all people are not equal in the sense that they are not the same.  I, as a male could not give birth to my son. I, as a male could not breast feed my son.  Biologically, KK was the one to do that.  If genetically we are 99% the same there is still that 1% difference.  No matter what your way of understanding our existence is,  (anthroposophically – we have our four bodies -physical, etheric, astral and the I) I believe that what separates the living from the dead is a “life force” that is spiritual in nature.  Knowledge of spirit has often and throughout history been at times kept secret, distorted, mythologized or denied like the story of Lilith.  So, if we are to speak of equality of the sexes let us start with Lilith.

As Adam’s first wife before Eve, she was in possession of her full powers including her sexuality. Created out of the same primordial energy (mud) and not taken from Adam’s rib.  As chronicled in “Coming of Lilith” and the book of Lilith, she fought for equality and strove for fairness.   The full equal (or better) of Adam, she proved too much for the ancient patriarchs and was excluded from the old testament and the combined bible. So, forevermore, in the middle east and elsewhere as well as western civilization the patriarchs retained control.  I do not know why Lilith is not held up by women who seek equality as their Foundation Stone.

I know that some people reading these notes are so intelligent that they can use my words against me. But my point is this – Rudolph Steiner (and other writers, thinkers and philosophers) being an Austrian man who wrote most of his writings about 100 years ago used the word “man” to mean humankind.  We inadvertently used the word “man” to signify all of humankind.  This is not acceptable now and we will use other language and will be impeccable with our words from now on.

Please forgive our trespasses as we learn to be more accurate.  Our spirit and actions do support inclusion and equality of rights.

With all due respect,

Sincerely,

Ira Haspel

Ira + KK’s Farm Sanctuary