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 Some see signs of growing strife within American Jewry over the issue of Israel. American Jews confront internal rancor over IsraelBy Joe Sterling, CNN Atlanta (CNN) - When the editor of a Jewish newspaper here wrote this month that the Jewish state might consider assassinating an American president, his column made national headlines and provoked a Secret Service inquiry. The most striking criticism came from the Jewish community itself, which collectively held its nose and harshly denounced the column by Andrew Adler, who is also the owner of the weekly paper, the Atlanta Jewish Times. Anti-Defamation League national director Abraham Foxman called Adler's words "irresponsible and extremist." Adler apologized and resigned as editor, but some see the episode as the latest example of an increase in divisive, over-the-top rhetoric within American Jewish communal life, revolving largely around the hot-button issue of Israel and its policies toward the Palestinians. The tensions have provoked Jewish groups across the country to launch programs aimed at lowering the political temperature in their own religious communities. Israel is not "one of the great unifying factors" that it once was in the Jewish community, said Samuel Freedman, author of "Jew vs. Jew: the Struggle for the Soul of American Jewry.”
"Since the Lebanon invasion and the First Intifada, it has become a dividing line,” he said, referring to the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation in the late 1980s. “It's probably deeper now than I've ever seen it." Tensions within American Judaism are rising as some Jews detect an "existential threat" to Israel, with Iran's nuclear aspirations and Islamist parties coming to power during the Arab uprisings, he says. Freedman also sees broader trends at work, including the fading line between private and public talk dissolving in the era of blogging and tweeting. The Atlanta Jewish Times incident, he says, is a reminder that words that sound bold in private will "resonate really differently when they are out in public." Ethan Felson, vice president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, says emotions have been much more "intense and destructive" lately as ideological camps within the American Jewish community harden their views over the contentious U.S. presidential campaign, tensions between Israel and Iran, and issues from health care to marriage. "This is going to be a brutal year," he says. "We're looking at a scorched earth political environment." Felson’s group spearheads a nationwide civility initiative and held a "civility institute" last year to help Jewish leaders with conflict resolution, listening and "communicating across polarized divides." Leaders from 15 Jewish communities across the country participated. The council recently issued a civility statement signed by a range of prominent Jewish entities, saying the effort has "deep roots in Torah," the Jewish sacred text, and "in our community's traditions." But the statement also spoke to a troubled Jewish landscape. "The expression and exchange of views is often an uncivil, highly unpleasant experience,” it said. “Community events and public discussions are often interrupted by raised voices, personal insults, and outrageous charges." Jane Schiff, a Jewish Council for Public Affairs board member who is also on the group’s civility task force, says she has seen the hostile atmosphere take its toll in her Atlanta community, with rabbis backing off from talking about Israel. "They are afraid it will affect their employment. I'm seeing friends saying to each other, 'I'm not talking to you about that because I want to stay your friend,' " she said of controversial issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Judy Saks, the community relations director for the Jewish Federation of Nashville and editor of the federation-produced community newspaper, can attest to the vituperation. In May, an online video surfaced about Muslims in Nashville that said they were fomenting pro-terrorist ideas. Called “Losing our Community,” the video was produced by a Boston-based group called Americans for Peace and Tolerance. A video on the group’s website says one Nashville Muslim figure it regards as radical has been embraced by “self-described progressive Jewish religious leaders," including a rabbi, and is respected as an interfaith activist in the community. Saks said that the original video blasted three Nashville rabbis but that two were removed after several weeks. Americans for Peace and Tolerance did not respond to a request for comment. "It brought out such divisiveness in this community,” Saks said. “It pointed fingers at our rabbis for doing what rabbis do." The organized Jewish community decided to draw up its own civility statement, which supports "robust and vigorous debate about critical issues – as long as it is civil and tolerant" and disagreement "without threats of reprisal." "This willingness to listen to other points of view honors Nashville's spirit as an open, welcoming and friendly city, our nation's history and our Jewish heritage," it said. "We will not engage with those who threaten the safety and security of our community." In California's San Francisco Bay Area, controversy erupted over a film about Rachel Corrie shown at a 2009 San Francisco Jewish film festival. Corrie, an American member of the International Solidarity Movement who was killed in Gaza nine years ago by an Israel Defense Forces bulldozer, symbolizes for many the battle on the left against Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Corrie's mother spoke at the event, angering some Jews, who said her appearance politicized what was supposed to be an artistic moment. The reaction to the film reflected the political fissures in the Bay Area Jewish community. In response, two community leaders, Abby Michelson Porth and Rachel Eryn Kalish, co-founded Project Reconnections, which included an initiative called the Year of Civil Discourse. The well-funded effort throughout 2011 worked to bring Jews of different political stripes together for dialogue and deliberation, study and workshops. It also focused on reconciliation in four synagogues beset by political enmity and engaged community leaders over issues such as the Middle East. Porth, also associate director at the Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council, says the project helped infuse the community "with the skills and the opportunity to have a rich, meaningful and civil discourse." She says it got people on opposite ends of the spectrum to stay at the table to understand the other person's point of view and to to deliberate thoughtfully over disagreements. Kalish, the Year of Civil Discourse project facilitator, saw people’s "fight or flight" instincts shift as they learned to communicate thoughtfully and gain a deeper understanding of issues such as Jewish settlements and the status of Jerusalem. A healthy conversation, Kalish said, helps people think and understand that "maybe there's a third way" to approach a stubborn issue. She recalls an interaction in one synagogue between an older man who lived through Israel's War of Independence in 1948 and the Six Day War in 1967 and a young woman who sees Israel through the prism of its criticized actions in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. The two synagogue members came to understand each other and now work side by side as dialogue "facilitators" at their congregation. Kalish cites this as an example of "pretty dramatic change" in learning how to listen and speak honesty and respectfully. Mitch Chanin, executive director of the Jewish Dialogue Group in Philadelphia, offers dialogue programs for Jews in synagogues, colleges and other organizations and trains people as dialogue facilitators. The group formed in 2001 and has done work across North America. Chanin, who says his group refrains from promoting political opinion, says the dialogues have included talking through the tough issues around the Middle East conflict. "People grapple with the questions of what risks are we willing to take and what actions are ethical. Who can we trust and not trust?" Chanin said. "The likely consequences of Israeli policies. What are the intentions of Palestinian actors? “What can we do to be safe? When is it OK to kill? When is it necessary? When is it wrong? When are there alternatives?" |
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I do NOT like to see Israel Flag in US land as much as I do not see Mexican flag in US. Jewish people in this country has to make a decison, whether they want to be a US citizen and follow rule of land or thy want to be Isralis. If that is a case, they they need to immigrate to Israel. How long we have to suffer bacuse of Israel leadrership narrow minded actions and discrmination to Palaetetian. palestenian are human being. As an american I see everybody same. I am also tired of jewish lobiest in this country. enough is enough. Just imaginewhat happens if US moslem make same claim as this jewish guy made. He will be sentenced or ,.......
Oh no, Matt is upset!!!! Everyone shut up and listen to Matt, hes a freaking Genius!
actually notamoron you are the one who is the jerk. i hate all religions so i do not like that these same people waving the israeli flags are the same people that would send blacks, hispanics, and non-jew whites to die for israel. at least israeli jews are in the midst of it all. american jews are the biggest hypocrites on the planet.
Matt, butchering the English language aside (which speaks to your intelligence), the Palestinians elected Hamas as their leader. To help you understand what that means, imagine them electing Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. Yes, they chose a terrorist organization to lead them. But your atrociously written post does say it all.
oh ya, and hamas is worse than the leadership that the j's chose ? They too are terrorists, but the difference is they are taking our american money
DN Calling someone out because of grammar or spelling speaks to your intelligence and nasty nature.
Matt: You can't write nor spell correctly in English. You are a shame to the American nationality and it's beyond ironic that you would post a "pro-America" jingoist (look it up, Forrest) diatribe. Israel was our essential and ONLY ally in the Middle East during the Cold War and is a more functional and representative democracy than our own country.
Israel is not black and white like you're making it out to be. Further, Jewish people are a religious group, a culture and an ethnic group. The Israeli flag is part of Jewish culture, so get over it.
Come on. Lighten up. My great-great grandfather carried the Irish harp flag into battle at Gettysburg for the Union. You can care for two countries and still be a loyal American.
@Musings – I am assuming that your great-great grandfather was an immigrant from Ireland. This is a completely different relationship with a country than American Jews have with Israel. American Jews are not Israelis and never were.
I'd considering listening to Matt, but his spelling and grammar is clearly such a typical example of the decline of American education that it's truly embarrassing to even consider a reply. Go back to school, Matt. Most of these stupid antisemitic comments are largely based in white-trash black-trash culture-of-poverty-I'm-a-victim mentalities. All of you, go back to school, learn to spell, get a job, and stop blaming Jews for your own self-created problems.
I have more respect for Jews living in Israel than I do them living in America. I do not have respect for the way Israeli Jews treat the Palestinians. I under that they are worried about self-preservation. OK i understand. But at least Israeli Jews are in the midst of it all. American Jews sit back and force America's hand while the majority of them would love to see blacks, hispanics and low-income christians die for protecting Israel while they sit back and do nothing but coerce the government.
Problem with Israel is all those radical jewish immigrated from ex-soviet union. They are a real blocker for peace.
is this where all the jews are hiding on cnn?
Is this where white nutters make up myths about jews hiding?
It's time for a crackdown on Zionist nutwads, but listen, some polls put the population of Israel at 70% who want peace. Don't dismiss these people because they have an extremist government.
Good point did not know that the moral to this story is the golden rule treat others as u would like to be treated the goverment of Israel should stop they are being unfair and the zionist are a disgrace i hate using mean words but i cant take it when people are getting mistreated and while we support it man im really puzzled
Any American calling for the assassination of a US president is a traitor and should be treated as such.
Agree...who the hell are these people, why do their religion makes them so damn miserable?
Agreed. How come there's no mention in the news of this man being investigated?
How about this: any PRESIDENT who is a TRAITOR to the AMERICAN PEOPLE should be IMPEACHED. Let's start w/Barack Hussein.
It's really a conflict between Jews who don't mind being hypocrites and those who do. The hypocrites ignore the insanely psychotic and ironic notion that a Jewish state would oppress its religious minority. The non-hypocrites take issue with it.
Jeff
Well my friend, you just identified the reason a Jew will not be President in the near future. Country should be first.
You may well be right, Coochie, but, consider:
Not all ppl think like I. Not all JEWS think like I. In FACT, the article to which we are commenting, shows that there are MANY Jews who dont think like I do.
And to piggyback on Jeff's reply, you're clueless, Chooch. And your name is diagnostic.
I'm not Jewish, Christian or any other, I have never drank any of their Kool-aid. I just don't understand why the US is involved in this conflict, it seems "silly for people to kill each other over a pile of "worthless" sand. But they can if they want to I just don't want to pay for it.
The argument that the US "Cares" about the Jewish people or State for humanitarian reasons just doesn't hold water, If that were the case we would be involved in Africa and South America
Well, as with all nation-building activities that the U.S. engages in, Israel has grown to be a problem. But we are partly responsible for the ridiculous notion that one could just move native Arabs off their territory, and give it to Jewish refugees after WWII without there generally being some problems. We also didn't seem to object to the religious apartheid state that was subsequently set up. In this way we again see the wisdom of the framers in separating church and state. When you let the religious right (of any denomination) infect governent, you get hate, war, and misery.
The States cares about Israel because American jews have a lot of money. Israel is financed in large part by private money coming from the States...not to mention the fact that they are in the Middle East and the US needs as many friends there as they can muster. i.e. it comes down to oil and gold and who has it.
It's because of domestic politics. 50% of political campaign contributions from individuals to Democratic candidates in America come from Jewish-Americans. Many of them probably don't care very much about Israel, but many do, and various pro-Israel lobbies are happy to paint the picture (behind closed doors) that Israel is all Jewish-American campaign contributers care about.
And the Republicans would be happy to take some of the wind out of the Democrats' sails by luring away some of their top contributers.
yup Dan that's about the sum of it. Look at Pakistan and India – same story. It all defies logic and the outcome? highly predictable. Imagine the same thing happening in the States. If they had decided to hand over one State to a single religious group and asked everyone who wasn't a member to leave? Even if they had lived there for 300 years which was the case for many Palestinians.
africas do not have money to support the african movement.
Right Sarah, all of the money that goes to the middle east is private ? Do you have a brain ? Or tax money funds all of the fighting in that region. That money should be used for americans, considering it is american money.
Dan and Sarah, no-one forced the arabs to leave the State of Israel after it was formed in 1948. The surrounding arab states all invaded Israel the day after it was formed and the local arab population fled to those neighboring countries in fear that they would be persecuted. As it happens, those arabs that remained in Israel were given full citizenship and protection by the Israeli government, while those that fled were treated as refugees and never welcomed by the arab brothers.
It's because the republicans use this to conjure up votes like they do with taxes. It's all about money though. Anything to keep their millions. They don't know the Bible, if they did then they would know that Paul was a Gentile and God and Jesus chose him to teach about the Kingdom. Please study to show thyself approved. Remember the KKK used to say they were "God Fearing"
Its not worthless sand, Israel is a beautiful country with a strong education and technology sectors, modern cities, a leader in semi-arid climate agriculture. Palestine could be a great country too if peace can be achieved so the economy can grow. I agree the US involvement int he ME has been troublesome – the invasion of Iraq, which Israel cautioned Bush not to do, has destabilized the region, and our arming of Saudi Arabia and bases in the Persian gulf are worrisome. Not since Clinton have Arabs viewed the U.S. as a good mediator between Israel and Palestinians. I would rather see us take a positive approach to promoting peace, than flexing its muscles here.
Its called the American Israeli lobby...that is a good starting point
i wonder if a Muslim or Christan had said that in USA CNN would be running that 24/7
what a hypocrite in the name of free press
How did this editor avoid prison? Threatening the President's life is a CLASS D FELONY. What the HELL?!
the editor has friends in high places. these friends would love to send blacks, hispanics, and non-jew whites to die for Israel while they keep their jew children safe in america.
Mikey, the editor didn't threaten anyone's life. He just published his opinion. Was it bad form? Absolutely. Was it illegal? No. We have something here called free speech and freedom of the press. Having no manners is simply not a crime at this time.
He should be put in prison and I don't think that there is even an American Jew(besides his family perhaps) who would dispute that- The man is an Idiot and now his name is in the news- At least he will never get another Job working in this country- e should atleast be deported...
As repugnant as this man is, in the U.S. its considered free speech unless it s a direct threat – something this man's speculation falls short of. These types of comments are made often by radicals. Remember Republican Kathleen Parker's 2004 column about shooting candidates?
Did anyone actually READ the article the editor wrote. He's not recommending ANYONE should be assassinated. He's stating that Israel MIGHT consider the possibility of assassinating A (A = any) president who might support Iran's threat to Israel. He was postulating. How many Americans and others have thoughts/fantasies of assassinating Ahmandinejad? You don't think our government and others have considered that option?
Israel should pay back all the money we've given them (that will never happen) and it's about time they take care of themselves. It's been well over 50 years. They act like a bunch of spoiled brats. We shouldn't support them anylonger, it's time to cut the cord with those people.
When we get money out of politics and a politician realizes that they don't need the money than they will quit catering for the jewish vote.
Dave, spoken like the poet of new york ! How about using that money to feed fellow americans, considering that is our tax money. Once we have so much wealth that we don't have even 1 homeless/starving person, then we can worry about giving gifts to other nations.
Newsflash for you, Israel does pay back its loans, but that wouldn't matter because the US is too busy supporting a bunch of horrible regimes across the world that are corrupt and furthermore, the US takes out more debt on itself, so why dont you go kvetching about your own nation's financial quandries
How about Egypt and Saudi Arabia?
That is why I am supporting Ron Paul. He wants to cut ALL foreign aid. Why are we trillions in debt and giving billions of dollars to Israel and other middle eastern countries. It is insane.
I know it's anti semitic – but BACON is awesome!
No, it's not antisemitic; bacon is simploy not kosher. But thanks for being dumb, Bob...or Leucadia....or whoever you are. You fit right in on here.
Get all the real news at http://www.veteranstoday.com
Judaism – a religion that allows those of us who believe in it to feel that we are the greatest people in the world—and feel sorry for ourselves at the same time.
If you believe Judaism a religion that believes we are the greatest people in the world and that we feel sorry for ourselves then you know NOTHING OF JUDAISM. All that most jewish people want is to be left alone. I am proud to be jewish I am no different then anyone else. I go to synagogue on when I can and I do the best I can by my fellow man. I don't feel if I see a man on the street homeless that I am better instead I feel the need to help. Our religion is one of where we dont seek converts, we don't want to be viewed as this better then you religion instead we want to be able to practice with out persecution, with out hatred just like any other religion. For the most part us Jewish Americans get to have that freedom so please refrain from categorizing us as some group of arrogant/depressed people. Thank you. -Jewish American-
funny because my jewish gf went to israeli military camp to make american jews feel connected. at the camp, they were told over and over again that jews are the most important people on earth, that they are better than everyone, that everyone is out to get them, etc. etc etc.
you forgot to mention that along w/not being persecuted for their beliefs, they also want to college large paychecks while complaining all day long and acting like victims as if they had anything bad done to them.
Magnus, I don't think Jews have EVER been taught that they are better than anyone. Having a Jewish gf does not make you anywhere near qualified to speak on this.
Cut off all add to this country and let them swing in the wind. If the Iranians want to attack them let them and then we will be done with both problems !
Although I don't want to see anything bad happen to Israel-it is clear our aid to Israel has hurt the USA throughout the world. I am sure no one has forgotten 9/11. Israel does whatever the hell it wants to hurt Palestinians etc. , and the US pays the price. Every President who blindly supports Israel is to a degree negligent in his responsibilities to our country. We have a right to say to Israel–stop the nonsense, the brutality, the settlements if you want to continue to receive money. The problem in our country is that anyone wishing to have a honest debate on th Middle East will be labeled and anti-semite.
Right, the problem isn't morons like you! Enjoy your america hahahahaha
forget the "if you want to continue to receive aid" part of your argument. That isn't extra money we just can give away. Let them stand on their own two feet, and we can use that money to feed and educate fellow americans.
Now, there is an intelligent response. Do you go out of your way to take "stupid" pills every morning?
Ah... such trouble over competing books of fairy tales! If the fairy tales of the Jesus freaks hadn't mentioned Jerusalem as so important, the jews would still be roaming the desert!
SEAL TEAM 6 has already been tasked with taking out Nut-in-Yahoo... just to start the diplomacy...
We've bombed every other country in the middle east ... so let Israel do what they want to us ... we can quickly reduce them to rubble also.
Obviously there will soon be a Palestinian state, as there should be. The US, England and Russia played God and took away a people's land. Yes, there were good reasons, but it's time to split that land, and everyone knows that will happen quite soon.
SF, you need to get your history facts straight.....Israel has and always will be the Jew's land. It was never at any point in history Palestinian territory. The palestinians HAVE their own land, it's called JORDAN! The Israelis are NOT 'occupying' anyone's land but their own!
Sure, let's side with the Palestinians because the Jews took their land...oh wait, I forgot I am educated and know a little more about history than you do.
The fact that the Palestinians, oh I'm sorry... "Jordanian exiles" since Palestinians are made up in the first place, took land from people who lived there 1,000 years before the Muslim people even existed, does not mean that the land is Palestinian land... if anything it's the exact opposite, let the Palestinians go back to their own Islamic lands, where they have less rights than they currently do in Israel anyway.
Israel is the only real democratic Ally to the US in that entire region, considering that region consists of the biggest terror threats in the world, the US should do absolutely NOTHING but offer their full and total support to the region.
I have absolutely no problem with providing the Palestinians with their own land, I don't see why this is even in debate... a two state solution sounds great... but to what end? Give Islamic radicals land that was never theres in the first place so they can turn around and attack the people who gave them their new homeland??? I don't think so.
Just curious...how was it always Iraeli's land? Because a fairy book said so?
Clark, Britain pushed aside the poor Palestinians at the end of WWII so there would be a place to ship out all the poor Jewish people that nobody in Europe wanted anymore. That is how Palestine became Israel. Please get your facts straight. Both Palestinians and Israelies should suck it up and get along and share the land because everybody in the world is sick of hearing about this conflict.
Clark, if they always lived there, how come they have features similar to Europeans? The light skin of the israelis does not match with any of its neighbor's darker olive skin.. Clearly, the current population of Israel immigrated from European countries, and thats a fact
jewish guilted the world into getting Israel after WWII and america pays the price. how many american jews are dying to protect isreal? none. that's what poor blacks, hispanics and white people are for. to die for isreal while the spoil american jew waves an isreali flag in NYC. Nasty.
clark, more power to them keeping their own land, as long as it's not with our american tax payer money. If they can do it on their own, more power to them !
Cameron2K, many Israeli Jews are recently from Arab lands, Yemen, etc. They are often dark. On the other hand, many Palestinian Arabs, Jordanians, Syrians and Lebanese are of Levantine descent – and light-skinned. Not that this means anything, but your comment is off-base.
Jeez Loueez, Jon and Clark must feel so lonely on here. They're but a handful of folks w/brains. SF probably has a brain, but like Nancy Pelosi, he lives up in San Francisco fantasy-land of the Bleeding Hearts. Israel will not negotiate with Palestinians terrorists. American doesn't negotiate with terrorists. No one should have to. When I see a majority of "moderate" Muslims vocally condemn terrorism, then I'll consider supporting other views.
As a Jew, I know plenty of Jewish putzes. This writer is just another one.
Are you referring to Sterling or Adler?
Why are they waving Israeli flags here in America? They should be charged with treason and deported to their beloved country.
Why are they waving flags? Freedom of speech, perhaps? If you don't like American freedoms, you should leave.
They have every right to wave their flags. However, it is pretty obvious where their allegiances truly lie. It's great to be proud of one's heritage, but sheesh, I'd wager most of these folks have no Israeli background (the modern Israeli state, that is...they might have some long-lost background in the region). Still, if people want to be proud of their heritage for certain days, e.g. Mexican/Polish/Irish/whatever, GREAT. But when it comes to politics, I raise an eyebrow when people immediately flock to these nations that they've made a willful decision NOT to reside in...
Mikey, how I wished your mama hadn't smoked crack when she was preggers with ya.