Monday, August 16, 2021

1500 RABBIS AGREE?

The Press Release from some organization titled The Coalition for Jewish Values landed in an email from a friend who often captures the bizarre and unlikely. This one was titled:

"1,500+ rabbis say ADL 'no longer competent' to identify, let alone combat, anti-semitism." 

Perhaps you share my sense that 1,500 + (don't forget the +) Rabbis couldn't agree on anything. But somehow Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the President, of this "Coalition" has mystical powers.

The Press Release continued that the Coalition "took renewed aim at the Anti-Defamation League." And, why: well the ADL annonced a partnership with Hillel International to do battle against the worst of anti-semitism on college campuses. And, why "renewed?" Is ADL or Hillel viewed as "competition?"

And, what was wrong with that emerging "coalition?" An ADL "spokesman" stated that "anti-Israel activism is not in and of itself is not anti-semitism" citing BDS support as requing investigation. While I disagree (and, perhaps 1,500+ do as well) I don't believe that this statement disqualifies the ADL as "incompetent."

If you go beyond the Release you will discover that The Coalition for Jewish Values must have a power of attorney from 1,500+ Rabbis because that same "number" supported the CFJV Resolution in support of Yeshiva U's opposition to an LGBTQ Club at that University.

Congratulations to Rabbi Lerner and his 1500+ of followers -- all Rabbis? Expect to hear more from them.

Rwexler


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the '1500+' Rabbis, but I am one non-Rabbi who believes that the ADL, under the current leadership has completely lost its way and is no longer effective.

Anonymous said...

There is a sad history of this "coalition" of Trumpists, racists, bigots and clowns. They are an unrepresentative fringe group of a fringe group.

See, for example: https://forward.com/news/386842/inspired-by-trump-era-orthodox-rabbis-launch-new-political-group/