~ A Friend of the Blog sent me this one: "Did you know that there are 8.5 million cats in Israel -- that's almost one cat for every person! If you're a fan of felines, show your love by sharing your favorite cat photo here. #National Cat Day #Meow."
And, just where did this inanity appear? You probably guessed it: It was a JFNA Facebook Post. There are no words.
~ I am certain that some of you share what I would describe as my own anger with regard to Bernie Sanders speech to the J Street Conference. The condemnation of Israel from someone who has used the fact of his birth, that being born Jewish, to cloak himself with the right to unconditionally condemn the Jewish State without consequences and, perhaps, some sort of political advantage. Actually, Sanders' outburst at J Street fell in the category of "who can condemn Israel the most?"
While I often find myself in disagreement with Jonathan Tobin's editorial in JNS; I absolutely agree with him that Sanders' diatribe was worthy of only one thing -- scorn. https://www.jns.org/opinion/bernies-gaza-aid-farce-exposes-j-streets-false-front/
No one should be surprised that Sanders has shown his colors...again...in this most anti-Israel way. Nor should anyone be surprised that Bernie's attacks on Israel as "racist," on American military and foreign aid to Israel, and on the Israeli Prime Minister drew huge ovations from the J Street crowd -- it was, after all, the J Street crowd.
Rabbi Amiel Hirsch said it best: “The Democratic Party is increasingly tolerant of voices that are opposed to Israel’s existence.”
~ As we are reminded from time-to-time, JFNA's ersatz GA, this time titled FedLab will soon convene "by Invitation only." While the Lab appears to be dedicated to in-depth exploration of Total Financial Resource Development and "Powering Your Philanthropic Networks," it is hard to see the inherent return on investment from this Lab inasmuch as the the scholars and presenters remain unknown as I write this -- it appears that this is one of those "trust us" things. So I'm guessing that the presenters and speakers -- consultants in the main -- will be the same as those who appear at all JFNA FRD things.
BTW, JFNA continues to promote the Lab as "by invitation only," and that may be true even as the organization appears to have invited anyone and every one.
So, won't see you in D.C. but I'm anxious to learn the outcomes from this 3-day event...if any.
Rwexler
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9 comments:
You don't have to be a radical lefty to be extremely upset with the direction Israel has gone over the past several decades, or with the manner in which Bibi and his enablers have sabotaged it.
Plenty of American Jews reared as a Zionists who have been to Israel many, many times over are becoming very disillusioned with it. Don't lump all of the critics together as assimilated, self-hating radical Jews.
The other way to look at it is that the GOP is increasingly intolerant of anyone with any criticism at all of Israel. And believe you me, there's plenty to criticize if you're an American citizen and/or an American Jew.
Wasn't it worthj mentioning that a small bunch of the "usual suspects" went to Halle to meet with communal leaders there -- JFNA FedWorld trumpeted the "group" as "from across North America." Hardly. Two from Chicago and a total of 6 lay leaders. Couldn't JFNA have done better?
To Anonymous-- Israel is a much more tolerant and progressive society today than any time in its history. Perhaps the American Diaspora slow abandonment of support of Israel is the Jewish communities movement to the left. The question of conditioning Israel's defense aid would have been unthinkable just 5 years ago. There is much to criticize Israel or any country. The fact remains the Palestinians have rejected multiple offers to have a sovereign state. Until American Jews know need to know where their closet bomb shelter exist maybe we should give our cousins some leeway. They live in a much different reality than we do.
Anon 9:32 - Such chutzpah!
You are 100% wrong - you HAVE to be a radical lefty (either that or totally ignorant) 'to be extremely upset with the direction Israel has gone over the past several decades, or with the manner in which Bibi and his enablers have sabotaged it.'
If you are such a chuchma, why don't you make aliyah, serve in the IDF (or have your kids serve..), pay Israeli taxes - then you will have the right to criticize and try to make changes.
Anon 12:31 is 100% correct. You might learn something from his/her comment.
To 9:32 - and I'm pretty sure I know who I'm responding to!
I made aliyah. I pay Israeli taxes. I am NOT a lefty or ignorant. And, Bibi, with help from his wife, eldest son, and a few other despicable Likudniks, are doing a pretty good job turning the country into a theocracy. Not to say he hasn't done some good. But the other side of the coin significantly overshadows the positive.
If you choose to respond, have the betzim to not hide behind anonymous!
Dan, you have that right. Diaspora Jews do not.
Paul, I Don't profess to speak for anyone but myself.
US Jews absolutely have the right.
First, as taxpayers who pay for the billions of dollars of foreign aid to Israel. Bibi wants to thumb his nose at parts of the US government or parts of American Jewry? Not on my dime he doesn't.
Second, as American Jews we have every right to protest Bibi and those in his camp who seek to delegitimize many of our fellow American Jews and rabbis. Bibi chose to make this a very personal issue for many of us.
Anon 7:35- I don't disagree with your comments. My response was to Anon 9:32 who claimed that Israel had changed over the past several decades. As well as the disillusionment of American Jews.
As for Bibi and his policies regarding religious pluralism lets be honest Bibi has not changed a thing. Those policies we put in place by Ben Gurion. American Jews have made the decision that they will no longer tolerate them. But the policy has been in place since 1948.
As for American aid.. the U.S. gives this money to Israel because it is in America's interest. At the end of the day, both America and Israel have to individually make security decisions that are in their country's best interests. I would never want Israel to accept military aid if I means compromising their security.
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