Politics On The Pulpit: Is There A Line And Where Do You Draw it?

11 Thursday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Human rights, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish Identity, Social Justice, Women's Rights

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Last evening I participated on a panel at the American Jewish University with moderator Rabbi Elliot Dorff and with fellow panelists Rabbi Sharon Brous and Rabb Elazar Muskin in a conversation between rabbis of different religious streams (Reform, Conservative/non-denominational, and Orthodox) that, if not checked, can tear apart the fabric of the American Jewish community.

The three of us panelists represent similar and dissimilar approaches to what we believe is appropriate for rabbis to discuss on the bima and within the synagogue setting. We didn’t always agree – in truth, at times we disagreed substantially.

For my full statement and a link to the discussion, go to my Times of Israel blog at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/politics-on-the-pulpit-is-there-a-line-and-where-do-you-draw-it/

Follow up – “2 American Zionist Organizations Liberal American Jews Can Support”

09 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish Identity, Social Justice, Women's Rights

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After my last post, a reader asked how contributing to the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), and J Street can help Israel remain pluralistic, democratic, and just.

I answer this question on my latest blog at the Times of Israel – see https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/follow-up-2-american-zionist-organizations-liberal-american-jews-can-support/

Two American Zionist Organizations that Liberal American Jews can Support

08 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Human rights, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Social Justice

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As Israel prepares to go to the polls, it is likely that PM Netanyahu will form the most extremist right-wing government in Israel’s history. His pledge over the weekend to annex the West Bank and foreclose the possibility of a two state solution thus compromising the Zionist dream of a Jewish majority democratic state in the Land of Israel ought to provoke despair in the hearts of every lover of the Zionist dream and enterprise.

There are two ways for liberal American Jews to support the liberal democratic Jewish State of Israel that we believe in. First, we need to work with groups on the ground in Israel that support pluralism, human rights, a shared society, and Israel’s democratic institutions. The Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) is the counterpart to the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). Through ARZA we Reform American Jews must give our full emotional, financial, and political support.

For the complete blog – go to Times of Israel at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/2-american-zionist-organizations-that-liberal-american-jews-can-support/

A year of anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist and anti-Israel hate

05 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Jewish Identity, Jewish-Christian Relations, Jewish-Islamic Relations

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The New York Times today (April 5, 2019) reviews the spread of anti-Semitic hate around the world. How ought we Jews to respond? That’s the perennial question we ask ourselves.

See my blog at the Times of Israel – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-year-of-anti-semitic-anti-zionist-and-anti-israel-hate/

“Bring it on!” Mika Almog Youtube

04 Thursday Apr 2019

Posted by in Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Social Justice

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Mika Almog is Shimon Peres’ granddaughter – her video, here in English but she made one in Hebrew as well, is a direct challenge to PM Netanyahu which she calls “Bring it on!”

It is 3 minutes and reflects not only her disgust of the Prime Minister and his racist egotistical politics, but the desire of so many Israelis to chart a new future with a new Prime Minister.

Watch it and share it with your lists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCt1A55X5kE&feature=youtu.be

In Defense of Congressman Adam Schiff against an immoral President Trump

01 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Uncategorized

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Anyone who knows Congressman Adam Schiff recognizes the quality of the man, his intelligence, dignity, integrity, and seriousness as a public servant. Modest, refined, distinguished, thoughtful, and professional – these are the adjectives that immediately come to mind when I think of him.

See my blog at The Times of Israel – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/in-defense-of-congressman-adam-schiff-against-an-immoral-president/

Anti-Semitism from the Extreme Right Wing and not the Left!

25 Monday Mar 2019

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Rabbi David Teutsch, who shares the co-chairmanship with me and Rabbi Andrea London of the J Street Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet, has written an authoritative piece that will appear in the Times of Israel detailing how the extreme right-wing is the greatest anti-Semitic threat and NOT the extreme left wing. Though there are concerns about a growing anti-Israel sentiment on the left, these people are not violent. The right wing is.

David shows us why and is to be complemented.

http://evolve.reconstructingjudaism.org/dangers-antisemitism

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch Rebukes Netanyahu for damaging Israel-Diaspora ties – Jerusalem Post

22 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Jewish Identity

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Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch is Senior Rabbi of the Stephen S. Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. He was interviewed in the Jerusalem Post.

This interview given in advance of the Prime Minister’s visit and the AIPAC conference is must reading.

https://www.jpost.com/printarticle.aspx?id=584174

Stav Shaffir explains why Israel is NOT Netanyahu

20 Wednesday Mar 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Human rights, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Social Justice, Women's Rights

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Member of Knesset Stav Shaffir (Israel Labor Party), the youngest parliament member in Israel’s history, entered public life after her leading role in the 2011 social justice movement, Israel’s largest-ever, cross-party protest, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of Israelis to take to the streets and set up protest camps throughout the country.

Shaffir is now serving  her second term in the Knesset and is known for her relentless fight against the corrupt use of taxpayer money. She  successfully exposed and blocked, for the first time in Israel, the massive use of government funds for political purposes.

A former journalist, Stav studied for her master’s degree in Philosophy and History of Science and Ideas at Tel Aviv University and holds a BA in Journalism and Sociology from City University of London, where she was the recipient of the Olive Tree Program scholarship for conflict resolution.

This video was likely released to the American Jewish community in advance of Stav’s appearance at the AIPAC Policy Conference, March 24-26 in Washington, D.C. She explains here, and hopefully she will do the same before the AIPAC thousands, why PM Netanyahu does NOT represent the vast majority of Israelis.