tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post1953415570551236132..comments2023-07-27T04:33:11.719-05:00Comments on UJ Thee and Me: SPEAKING OUTGracklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14315763008609379449noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-22787981924213696792015-07-27T11:15:56.447-05:002015-07-27T11:15:56.447-05:00We can dissect your articles Joel but that was my...We can dissect your articles Joel but that was my takeaway and readers can google and judge for themselves. While I take back the word "activist" or at least do not wish to argue definitions, your 5K to the Romney campaign and four figure donations to the McCain, and Bush Cheney campaigns say something. So I agree you are not Max Fischer (but then sadly none of us are). I offer my sincere apologies for a linguistic overeach. And that is why partisan politics should be left at the Federation door.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-73953127526384997442015-07-27T08:20:22.152-05:002015-07-27T08:20:22.152-05:00I wasn't planning on making a second post but ...I wasn't planning on making a second post but given that the last individual to post has completely invented a description of me and my articles, I have to respond.<br /><br />First, I am not a Republican activist. That claim is a fabrication. You have no evidence to the contrary because there is none.<br /><br />Second, I've never stated in my articles that tikkun olam is a marginal Jewish value. Rather, I've argued that over the last 20 years, give or take, the phrase is most often used when advocating for left-leaning agendas and, as a result, has been over-emphasized in the Jewish world.<br /><br />Finally, don't you think there's anything wrong with making (in this case, incorrect) claims about someone on this blog while choosing to remain anonymous?<br /><br />Joel<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-85407569261719176892015-07-24T15:24:09.196-05:002015-07-24T15:24:09.196-05:00Joel is a Republican activist who has written that...Joel is a Republican activist who has written that tikkun olam and tzedek chevrati (social justice) are marginal Jewish values whereas my positions are quite the opposite,. ANON 1:15 and Paul and I are obviously on different political planets on Iran and Israeli politics.<br /> However, I am honored and proud when I enter a Federation meeting to work constructively with any of them and argue respectfully with them on overseas projects and building community at home. However, on issues of major public policy, and issues internal to some aspects of Israeli policy, where a community consensus is totally absent and doubtfully achievable, we are best then finding our own rooms in different organizations. <br />Having commented in now article length 4X in this conversation I will sign off by wishing Richard, Joel, Paul and all a good shabbes and an easy fast.<br /><br />anon 1 and Anon 23/12:57 and anon 24/10:20.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-4852941743998900972015-07-24T15:14:21.424-05:002015-07-24T15:14:21.424-05:00The national community needs to let AIPAC do its i...The national community needs to let AIPAC do its important work. But the federations have a wider agenda, one no less important (some of us would say even more important). And respect for different views is part of that agenda. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-20158826818315742482015-07-24T15:04:08.623-05:002015-07-24T15:04:08.623-05:00The national community needs tolerance and respect...The national community needs tolerance and respect. Not McCarthyism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-78272280520878458132015-07-24T14:52:30.968-05:002015-07-24T14:52:30.968-05:00Boy, does the national community need a UJA / CJF ...Boy, does the national community need a UJA / CJF / NJCRAC now....paul jesernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-65012658769111184242015-07-24T13:15:34.195-05:002015-07-24T13:15:34.195-05:00Shouldn't every federation be updating its con...Shouldn't every federation be updating its contingency plans right now? G-d help us if we're not thinking these things through. Good for them for being cautious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-22187787831449569162015-07-24T10:20:46.461-05:002015-07-24T10:20:46.461-05:00Joel Alperson would have us reject the treaty base...Joel Alperson would have us reject the treaty based on a single hypothetical. MetroWest issued a statement this week that is at first read cautious and without rush to judgement except it contained an action point that they are updating their contingency plans in the event Israel takes military action against Iran. Luckily no one takes this silly statement seriously so we are not likely to be faced with a headline that finds its way to Corey Booker's office reading "NJ Jews prepare for war". All this indicates how ill suited we are at Federations to jump into this complex and divisive debate and we should stick to our historic philanthropic activities and leave the political advocacy organizations, left and right, to fight this one out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-5071956888612429292015-07-24T10:06:45.412-05:002015-07-24T10:06:45.412-05:00For those who do not support the deal--what do you...For those who do not support the deal--what do you propose that will improve the dangerous nuclear status quo?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-22559043732972231022015-07-24T08:59:42.602-05:002015-07-24T08:59:42.602-05:00For those who support the deal with Iran, I would ...For those who support the deal with Iran, I would only ask this question, "If Iran were located where Canada or Mexico is, would you still support the deal?"<br /><br />Joel AlpersonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-65057737430537578232015-07-24T06:20:02.553-05:002015-07-24T06:20:02.553-05:00Thanks for asking. Let me posit this: how does one...Thanks for asking. Let me posit this: how does one have a dialogue and reach community consensus if there is no public debate leading to a position -- for OR against the Iran deal as an example. What do you suggest as an alternative to "real dialogue?" <br /><br />RwexlerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-51658744394570244792015-07-24T05:34:27.473-05:002015-07-24T05:34:27.473-05:00Richard;
I love Israel. And like most American Jew...Richard;<br />I love Israel. And like most American Jews and many of its security and military experts, I think this agreement is fine. It's not great. But it's better than not having an agreement. Your demand to have our federations take one side in this position has serious consequences for your ability to claim that you want a real dialogue and community consensus. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-36753286657146914832015-07-23T23:17:01.567-05:002015-07-23T23:17:01.567-05:00Not to 'hog' the conversation but I must s...Not to 'hog' the conversation but I must say that I am very saddened by the negative comments about AIPAC made by some who remain anonymous. They set it up as 'them (AIPAC) vs us. AIPAC's donor base and leadership come from every part of our community: secular to Orthodox, left to right. AIPAC is us, not them! I doubt that there is a Federation which has not had leadership and donors involved in AIPAC. When AIPAC comes up with a consensus (as they have against the Iran agreement) you know that it has the strong support of its leadership and donors. AIPAC doesn't have to 'drag' anyone into losing strategies - our community, for the most part, knows what it has to do, and does it. In this specific case, when Israel's PM AND the opposition agree, it only makes sense for American Jewry to do everything in its power to support their position. Federations who speak out against the agreement and support the Israeli government understand this.paul jesernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-14840242033243207892015-07-23T19:45:04.573-05:002015-07-23T19:45:04.573-05:00I was saddened to see the negative comments about ...I was saddened to see the negative comments about AIPAC by some who wish to remain anonymous. They make it sound as it is 'us' verses 'them.' AIPAC is US! It's leadership and donors come from all segments of our community. I believe that there probably is not one Federation that does not have donors and/or leaders involved in AIPAC. When AIPAC comes to a decision, such as opposing the Iran agreement, it does so with wide support. Let's stop this criticism of one of the more important organizations of our time.Paul jesernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-79792362647133638302015-07-23T19:37:27.335-05:002015-07-23T19:37:27.335-05:00So "by a wide margin, American Jews support t...So "by a wide margin, American Jews support the recently concluded agreement with Iran to restrict its nuclear program, and a clear majority of Jews wants Congress to approve the deal. In fact, as compared with Americans generally, Jews are more supportive of the “Iran deal.”<br /><br />Before you attack the poll, the pollsters, the motives of the pollsters and the self-hating Jews who are the majority ... maybe it's time to tone down the rhetoric about what you're demanding federations do? And maybe it's time to get our federations out of the Republican party and let us do our job, building community as a wide, inclusive tent for all?<br /><br />http://www.jewishjournal.com/nation/article/new_poll_u.s._jews_support_iran_deal_despite_misgivings<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-87822110547722175722015-07-23T18:54:35.595-05:002015-07-23T18:54:35.595-05:00Paul Jeser is entitled to his opinion. Let's j...Paul Jeser is entitled to his opinion. Let's just be glad that the vitriol stays with him and doesn't represent our federations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-4359765450065412672015-07-23T18:37:31.381-05:002015-07-23T18:37:31.381-05:00The 'so-called' communal leader whose comm...The 'so-called' communal leader whose commitment to Israel I question is Rabbi John Rosove, co-Chair of J Street's Rabbinical Council. That should say enough about his commitment to Israel, but I would add that he, in one of his blogs, compared Israel to an addicted drunk! <br />http://www.jewishjournal.com/rabbijohnrosovesblog/item/speak_tenderly_to_jerusalem).<br /><br />Rabbi Rosove, who constantly criticizes Israel, and hardly, if ever, writes anything positive about Israel, is certainly not respected in the real pro-Israel community - not by a long shot.<br /><br />I support Rabbis and all Jews speaking their minds, however, I do not support extreme and inappropriate public criticism of Israel, especially when its future may be in doubt. None of us should.paul jesernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-26120589509798467202015-07-23T18:24:06.694-05:002015-07-23T18:24:06.694-05:00Why do you think that federations that have kept s...Why do you think that federations that have kept silent are ‘risk averse’ and frightened to lose donors? Maybe they’re just smart enough to know that AIPAC and its blabbermouths are all too quick to drag federations into losing strategies and they want to protect their communities?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-56494880427423864942015-07-23T13:45:37.794-05:002015-07-23T13:45:37.794-05:00Paul Jeser's comments against a Jewish communa...Paul Jeser's comments against a Jewish communal leader in the Jewish Journal - a well-respected rabbinic figure, who has every right to his opinion supporting the treaty - calls into question his (Jeser's) commitment to community. You don't represent us. And the "heavy price" is the one we pay when rabbis are attacked for speaking their minds. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-30713383495541487562015-07-23T12:58:42.889-05:002015-07-23T12:58:42.889-05:00I'm the 9:33 anon:
Thank you Richard, for cla...I'm the 9:33 anon:<br /><br />Thank you Richard, for clarifying. <br /><br />I was wondering since the title of your post seemed to indicate "speaking out" was preferable than trying to arrive at a consensus.<br /><br />But now you are at least being honest and saying that this isn't exactly what you had in mind. Or at least to the extent that others may wish to speak out with different voices and that, frankly, for those voices at any rate, you prefer they remain silent.<br /><br />That, by the way, is a sure fire strategy to lose the "next generation" of American Jews that concerns you (and me) so deeply.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-28301099844722646272015-07-23T12:57:43.443-05:002015-07-23T12:57:43.443-05:00Within two to three months there will be Jews who ...Within two to three months there will be Jews who will change synagogues, end memberships in organizations, quit boards, maybe join others, stop speaking to friends and argue loudly with family members. The battles will continue into the 2016 elections (in Israel perhaps as well). Federations need to think hard whether they will be supporting actors or walk-ons in this melodrama or whether they will play a lead role as a sanctuary ( ir miklat) of tzedakah and unity, I think we should not make the mistakes of the zealots, one to which even the great R. Akiva sucumbed, but choose the latter path of unity and communal peace. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-34264928736396445492015-07-23T12:55:50.743-05:002015-07-23T12:55:50.743-05:00Paul Jeser confuses unity with uniformity. I, too,...Paul Jeser confuses unity with uniformity. I, too, am proud to see federations thoughtfully engaging their communities on this issue and not rushing to blindly support his single interpretation of truth. The price we pay for coercion and scoundrel-like admonition of treason is the reason we're better off today. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-61743078377272881312015-07-23T12:32:37.349-05:002015-07-23T12:32:37.349-05:00This discussion, and the one on Dan Brown's pa...This discussion, and the one on Dan Brown's page, shows exactly why we need(ed) a CJF. While the prime responsibility of the national UJA was to assist the Feds in fundraising, the CJF brought the Fed leadership (lay and pro) together to discuss these important issues, come to a consensus, and then act.<br /><br />Right now, there is NO national Federation voice and the Jewish People, the Jewish Community, the People of Israel and the State of Israel are paying the heavy price.<br />paul jesernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-84175912351573398082015-07-23T12:26:26.628-05:002015-07-23T12:26:26.628-05:00(I am the poster at 11:55. I'll let the 9:33 p...(I am the poster at 11:55. I'll let the 9:33 poster do his/her own sacred work)<br /><br />Richard:<br />Don't you think it's a contradiction to say that you support a process that struggles to come to a consensus when in the beginning of this post you praise federations that clearly had no struggle and no intent to listen to voices of dissent or question? We don't need a "national call to action" here. We need humility and dialogue. Rushing to support a flawed strategy will surely further distance communities from the trust in our federations more. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8565163061165974643.post-38659215482596803152015-07-23T12:12:40.761-05:002015-07-23T12:12:40.761-05:00To my Anonymous friend at 9:33: I won't pander...To my Anonymous friend at 9:33: I won't pander on these pages and I would like to be intellectually honest at all times, if possible. Of course I wish federations and JFNA leaders would agree with me in the positions they take on as important an issue as the Iran Deal; who wouldn't? At one and the same time, I believe in a process that struggles to come to a consensus and then annouces the result publicly. Hiding in silence is, to me, an institutional cowardice that will further distance the community/communities from the trust in our federations (I think that trust in JFNA has already been lost) and that is unacceptable.<br /><br />RwexlerRWEXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01583858140298821830noreply@blogger.com