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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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In my country there is problem,
And that problem is the Jew.
They take everybody's money,
They never give it back.
Throw the Jew down the well,
So my country can be free.
You must grab him by his horns,
Then we have big party.
If you see the Jew coming,
You must be careful of his teeth.
You must grab him by his money,
And I tell you what to do...
Everybody!
Throw the Jew down the well
So my country can be free
You must grab him by his horns
Then we have big party
Throw the Jew down the well
So my country can be free
You must grab him by his horns
haha- theres a guy who gets it- Borat!
c'mon-where are all you hypocrites who would call this guy a racist, hateful, ignorant bigot? I guess it's okay when it involves a Christian or a Jew. Nazi jerks!
the U.S. gives billions of dollars aid to Israel every year from taxpayers money instead of keeping them in the country to feed their own people and those in need. Go to Israel they make fun of Americans and some even hate America. Americans are the most brainwashed, stupid people in this planet....... sorry but it's true Without America's support, Israel would have been destroyed looooooooooooong time ago !
Been over there...and at this point its about the only country where an American can be proud and respected...the rest of the world hates our guts and no thanks to Obama who would like to go have a "chat" with Iran and Cuba...the whole world thinks were the "ugly americans" and now we look week...
PS- crack open a history book and check out how Isreal's wars went...heres the cliff note versions: they fought them without american intervention, took on all-THATS RIGHT ALL 18 surrounding ARAB countries- and are currently 3-0...how do you think those occupied territories got taken..they pushed the enemy back on all fronts Egypt-Jordan-Syria(we still use their tactics from those wars in all of our armed forces training-especially secret-op hostage rescues like Seal Team 6- straight out of the Uganda/Entebi raid)
For the chuckleheads who keep claiming Israel fought all their wars without American help... find out the facts before you speak. The war they fought, the American planes would land, repainted with Israeli signs and take off. We gave them everything. Not that I am anti-Israel or pro–Palestenian, but you must be an idiot if you think Israelis like Americans. Maybe, you should read "by the way of deception." Nice book, written by a Jew.
Here's what I don't understand. American Jews live here, in the United States, yet they want to continue to support Israel – another country entirely. If you pick any other nation – say, an Iraqi person who lives here but sends money to Iraq, and votes only for those presidents who "will be good for Iraq", why not just freaking move there? Pick a country of origin, move there, and support that country. Living here and worrying about the well-being of another country seems hypocritical. Oh, before you judge – I'm not a native-born American, but an immigrant, so I know a thing or two about dual citizenship.
Couldn't agree more. This is annoying.
Yes, John, that is historically how it went down after Isreal became a state back in 1948, and yes we used them just as USSR used CUBA for the strategic military position. The amazing thing is really the Palistinian PR machine that seems to have convinced the world that the "occupied land " was taken from them and not Egypt and Syria and Jordan like you said. Bottom line, like it or not, there will always be anti-semites and Arab oil money goes a long way...just look at this article...does it make any sense that American Jews apparently no longer support Israel? You already answered that-MIke
Isreal doesn't need US financial or military support- they won 3 wars(48, yom kipur, 6 day) against against 18 surrounding countries without our help, rescued American hostages in entebi/Uganda- everyone knows they have always been our front lines(back when USSR was something to worry about and now with the Iranians trying to prove something)- they are still the only real democracy in the middle east to this day- and at the end of the day all
They really got was the palestinian refugees of Jordan, Syria,and Egypt to deal with because those countries didn't want to deal with the "palistiniansl themselves ...as Newt said palistine is a fantasy made up country consisting of pieces of Jordan/Syria/Egypt- that's how I remember it as well...
I agree....we should stop all aid and let them fight their own wars........
Then you'll vote for Newt? Live in Florida?
Crispy, I don't think you get it-WE need THEM more than they need us. Israel is God's chosen people. We are blessed by blessing them-not the other way around. If we curse them, then we in turn will be cursed.
Exactly Keith
wrong..they got much aid ..weapons and intelligence from us and europe to win those wars...they would have lost 73 to Egypt if not for MASSIVE US and French aid to turn the tide
Keith...this evangelical BS is just that..BS...no other Christians in the world believe the twisted Pat Robertson bible quotes that they and Jews use to brainwash American evangelicals
Boogeyman, you're partially correct. Other Christians have bought into the lie of replacement theology. It, however, is not biblical.
The Jewish community needs to take an honest look at theirselves in the mirror and realize that what a few of their compatriots are doing in this world from -economic/wallstreet greed, to being the bully in the Middle East , to continuing an unjust treatment of the Palestinians. I roommated with an observant Jew whom went to temple during my recent University years at SMU and he was very atriculate in realizing that the "holocaust industry" has been sqeezed to the max and now it's getting way overblown. He was fearful that if the Jews don't stand up and make right for all the many wrongs they're apart of these days then we might see an authentic wave anti-semitisim re-emerge. Just look at the headlines and every time you hear of a bank fraud or Pozi scheme or some terrible thing, it's always a Jew behind it.
"to being the bully in the Middle East"
Yeah because it was Israel that has been pulling the strings of Lebanon's govt. Oh, no..that was Syria.
Well, Israel invaded Kuwait. No, that was Iraq.
Israel is threatening to cut off oil supplies....no, that's Iran.
What was your point again?
Your last sentence reveals your true agenda.
Jews need to be 'evacuated' from America.
Why??
an aryan nation member that can operate a keyboard, never thought i'd see the day. really, are you posting from prison?
For the greater good.
The last time you evacuated it was like a lobotomy.
Jews are anti-American traitors.
Ah...so you do agree that Jews can be Americans. You can't be a "traitor" unless you are a citizen. Thanks for call Jewish Americans citizens.
You're a lot like Ernst Rohm. At least on weekends.
tell the truth, you are schizophrenic , you are actually 2 people, "dumb and dumber"
This Guy is whats wrong with our country(if he's American) The whole "Blame the Jew" thing has gotten old already...I'd like to believe most Americans are smarter than that
Most Americans are wonderful people. Obersturmbannführer should be deported to that Fourth Reich village in the Amazon where they're still trying to get the natives to goosestep.
All Israel's fault? Pre-WW1 Muslims attacked Jews in Aleppo 1850, 1875 Damascus 1840, 1848, 1890 Beirut 1862, 1874 Dayr al-Qamar 1847 Jaffa 1876 Jerusalem 1847, 1870, 1895 Cairo 1844, 1890, 1901–02 Mansura 1877 Alexandria 1870, 1882, 1901–07 Port Said 1903, 1908 Damanhur 1871, 1873, 1877, 1891 The "Golden Age" of dhimmitude, followed by the Grand Mufti and his Nazi friends, the Baghdad Farhud, Muslim attacks on Gandhi's secular govt in India. Why wouldn't any group rebel against this irrational bias in 1948? How many non-Jihadis were beheaded in world news 2012?
These groups have been at each other's throats for thousands of years, ever since someone tried to appropriate someone else's property as their "promised land". There is no solution here. You ain't seen nothin yet. Wait 'till the Water Wars start. Get out. Raise your kids somewhere else. It's a waste of time. You only live once.
Jews were evacuated from Arab/Muslim lands, while 70% of European Jews were exterminated. This is were they want to make their last stand, where their ancestors lived, and now when they no longer trust anyone else to protect them, only their own state and their own military. They have the only democratic republic in the region while doing that. The other states carved out of "Greater Syria" are at the very best an imported monarchy, and the very worst a mystic street gang.
obama is no friend of Israel. The sooner he is ousted the better.
Why is it that the people who cause the most trouble in the world are the ones who don't eat pork?
Pigs are filthy animals.
Eat a BLT for peace....
Pigs may be "filthy", but ain't nothing better then pork ribs done up right! (the secret is slooooow cooking .... )
Pigs are not filthy, Observer.....but I'm sure you are......
I'm sure there's a few ultra liberal Jewish people who support palistinian terorists- But those would clearly be self hating Jews by nature and hardly a representation of the American Jewish community...I won't be picking up a copy of "Jew vs Jew" anytime soon and I seriously would question where that data comes from(Israel not an issue among Jews!!)
What do the jews have to worry about, They seem to paranoid over nothing. But to threaten our Potus for some paranoid delusion that America will abondon them gives credence to the fact they care not for us. It seems to me every jew in isreal would be a millionaire many times over by the amount of aid the US gives or are there leaders just corrupt and dirty as ours. It would seem to me that so many jews think this counrties ditzens are out to get them when it obvioulsy not true.
2
Tell us Lobo..who are "them". Give us the names of those that wanted to kill our Pres.
Adler did not operate in a vacuum. He is not the only racist Jew to ever exist, either. Go talk to the Ethiopian Jews in Israel and ask them how "equal" they are being treated.
So.....no names? That's what I thought.
"Adler wrote a January 13 column about the threat of Iran to Israel, posing three options for the Jewish state. One was a "hit on a president in order to preserve Israel's existence.""
-from CNN (religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/23/jewish-newspapers-editor-resigns-over-obama-assassination-column/)
For Uncouth: I guess you didn't hear about the Jew calling for a hit on Obama? Time to start reading and stop mouthing off.
I'm not defending Lobo, who sounds like a bit of a ditz, but am having fun pointing out your tunnel vision and lack of knowledge. May you die a horrible and painful lingering death, btw.
Lol...you are too much Grugen. Talk about tunnel vision. Pay attention now,
"But to threaten our Potus for some paranoid delusion that America will abondon THEM gives credence to the fact they care not for us."
I helped a little for which word to focus on...do you see it? Good...moving on. I then asked them to tell is who "them" were. Did you not see that?
Yes..I know all about the editor. One person. Now unless you have anyone else to mention but your wishful thinking others...their was no "them". Just one person. one person that does not represent a group.
No no...I'll be laughing at you. Hoping for my death...you are a riot
Why would Adler even entertain such ideas? He did not pull them out of his ass, did he? There are racist Jews. Lot's of em.
Enjoy your death, Swain. I know I will.
Oh..I have no doubt their are racist Jews out there. That wasn't the point at all about my response. I was merely pointing out that in regards to the editorial he mentioned, their was no "them".
The way he was going with it, he wasn't far from a conspiracy theory. Sorry you couldn't see it. But I don't really care.
May you have a wonderful weekend young Grugen.
Is this a joke? Does anyone here seriously believe that American Jews are abandoning their support for isreal? This article is laughable and a bit racist... American Jews are as American as the rest of us, but I find it a bit hard to believe the "Isreal is no longer" a unifying issue among Jews....Get real CNN
United States should stop ALL aid to Israel, and if the Lord Almighty comes to save them, then they ARE God's chosen.... if not they were not. Let the chip's fall where they may. That would put an end to the wondering what if ?
How about we stop all aid to the Palestinians too...or are you selective in who you do not want to support?
i would guess that you receive a great amount of aid, welfare or disability benefits. you appear too dumb to have a real job should this aid be stopped also?
American Jews that have the love in their hearts to say "never again," should easily reject the policies of the present leadership in Israel. It is the leadership in Israel that has embraced a fringe dictatorship; and has indeed imposed that dictatorship upon the people of Palestine, and of Israel. Do what you knowis best for all people...Elect new leadership; punish bad leadership with a vote of "No Confidence." Usher in a new age of prosperity, peace, and dignity for all people's in the world.
will this new israeli leadership stop Palestinian suicide/homicide bombers and rockets from Hezbollah? if so, i"m all for the change. But not likely. You and the rest of the arab/palestinian apologists need to look to your own leaders and ask them why they refuse to recognize Israel and continue to threaten Israel with annihilation and then cry "woe is me, woe is me,everyone but us is responsible for our misery". Is that what you want? eternal victimhood? time to find a Sadat to lead you to peace.
Consider the semitic peoples in general. What is there to like? Best they should finish each other off.
I have nothing against the Jewish people. Or anyone else for that matter. Except maybe the Evangelicals. Many Jewish girls are cute as a button. The Palestinian girls... not so much. I only mention this, because too many ugly girls, could spoil the gene pool.
The Christian lovers of Israel, in this country, do not really love Israel or the Jewish people. They just want the Mosque of Omar to be torn down and a nifty new Jewish temple erected in its place. The Christians believe this will "trigger" Jesus' second coming. They are loony, but what are you gonna do? Every society needs a lunatic fringe. There but by my lack of belief, go I.
Just preachin' the truth
I really hope this isn't the regular David, because if it is; you sir are drunk or stoned.
Yes there's always a lunatic fringe in any society. I just wish that they garnered influence less often.
Kim, why don't you address some points instead of using a lame ad hominem attack? Or are you a racist?
Cancel that, I meant David.
David Johnson
You just said second coming which assumes he came the first time ! Yeah David you finally removed the aluminum from your head and can think clear now. Jesus a rabble rouser that was executed at the time of Pilate who some say did great things and was a jew.
I see Uncouth Swain is hijacking my name again. What's wrong, Swain? Did I make you mad? What a childish thing to do.
Grugan...grow up. I didn't take your name. I had no reason to.
@fred
Jesus was an urban legend. I was only explaining the reason the Christians (mostly Evangelicals), are so keen on Israel.
Cheers!
So maybe it was fred or herbie that is pretending to be me. Funny how it happens so often when YOU are around, Swain.
I already know you've stolen names before, so your protestations of innocence fall a little short. You're here, names get stolen. When you are not here, they don't happen hardly at all. Explain that strange coincidence. I know you lie, I know you steal names, I know you are not an honest person or even an honorable one. In short, it really doesn't matter what you say because you are a worthless troll. You and fred can look in the mirror and laugh at the resemblance. Try it and see.
Grugen.....you are the living embodiment of truthiness. You do Pres Bush proud.
Don't worry about actual proof...just go with your gut...haha.
@Grugen
Not a racist bone in my liberal body. But, I have no use for Evangelicals. Or Republicans.
Cheers!
I am fascinated by how many anti-semites there are in this world.
Wonder why?
I don't know why you are fascinated by racists and their racist detractors. Maybe you should ask a psychiatrist.
don't have to wonder, people who are failures need a scapegoat. do you need a scapegoat?
Aryan-Jihadi daisy chain at the dance club downtown is named "Afrika Korps". Board of Health doesn't like that, but that's modern times for ya. As long as the boys are tested regularly...