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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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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Dan Gilgoff and Eric Marrapodi, with daily contributions from CNN's worldwide newsgathering team and frequent posts from religion scholar and author Stephen Prothero.  |
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Until we all find the truth of the lettersYHWH nothing will change. Men look for other men to solve the problems of the world for centuries and look here we still are. When the human race masters the art of self control nothing thing will change.
The bible says: the wisdom of THIS worls is foolishness with GOD. Humans believe they are the masters of the planet and they aren't.
Love God and love your neighbor..
the name is jehovah get it right
an isreali threatening assaination of a sitting President . isreal is the only country / State that has to be propped up continuasly since its creation in 1948 . you have done to the palesinians the same that america did to the natives here in america you stole from them therefore in the eyes of your god you are and always will be a thief if you are so god fearing why are you not better people your praying for salvation will get you no where as your god sees right through your BS
Palestinians do not exist, they are only Arabs that were on land that was never theirs. Palestinians need to go home, back to their Arab home lands.
Adler is American, not Israeli. And he didn't threaten, he speculated on what he thinks a foreign nation should do. This foreign nation immediately condemned him.
This news has been around for weeks. It's only now that the main stream media is publishing it. I think they're still have to ask permission if they can run the story.
Mel Gibson was right!
Mel Giibson is a modern day prophet and will go down in history as so...
Courage in the anonymity of the internet. You're a coward.
If Jews assassinate Obama, they'll be in a more terrible mess that'll make their slavery in Egypt and the Holocaust look like picnic. I like Jews and every other religion/race but I hope they aren't stupid enough to touch a US President.
Stupid, they put him in power they can choose to remove him. Jews own America, the people of America waste their time voting. All is already detirmened...Educate yourself.
Yeah, nobody should really try that stunt, all those rednecks and hillbillies learned that the hard way when he got in office
@ Lipityloo: show me proof or risk looking like the bigger idiot on hyperdrive that you already are quite frankly
Count this Black Brother in for sure!
Should any Evil Jew dare or decide to take down Prez. Obama to leave his daughters as orphans it will be a blood bath. The words of First Lady won’t stop this blood bath that will be unleashed. No jew will be spared .................. period!
You can bet your evil jewish stinky behind that Hitler's Holocaust will look like Sunday picnic.
To all jewish people you have played the "victims Card" for far too long. Dare the Black people of the World and see our reactions. You have no freaking idea the Tsunami brewing in the Black community. Sit tight folks!
Naval Special Warfare Development Group should be assigned to "eliminate" Andrew Adler
Can Israel not defend themselves?.. Why must the U.S. come to their aid?.. They are doing to the Palestinians what was done to them... enough of this. STOP ISRAELI INFLUENCE IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT!
Don't support Newt, he is an Israeli shill.
Thank you!
You might those who victims of Hitler's Holocaust will be very humane in their actions to preserve life. Let the TRUTH be told, these are the very same people who armed, trained and fully supported evil white African Racist regimes on murderous rampage to murder African babies, children, women and men who demanded the land and country of their forefathers back from these racist white regimes.
I have said this before:-
Let any Evil Jew dare or decide to take down Prez. Obama to leave his daughters as orphans. It will be a blood bath. The words of First Lady won’t stop this blood bath that will be unleashed. No jew will be spared .................. period!
The jew can bet your evil jewish stinky behind that Hitler's Holocaust will look like Sunday picnic. They have no freaking idea the Tsunami brewing in the Black community of the disrespect some racist white folks and their leaders’ shows contempt and disrespect toward this Black President. They should be worried of the silence Tsunami brewing in the Black community. All it will take one trip-wire to unleash this volcanic tsunami on America and the jewish evil world. Let them DARE try anything on Pres. Obama!
Replace all the Judaism words with Zionism because Zionism Hijacked Judaism.
f the jews.. they own most of the companys in the usa and ripp off the workers.. like c and s warehouse.. anyomous if your out there... HELP PLEASE !!!!
A) You are a delusional antisemite.
B) Anonymous certainly has Jewish members, and would never attack people based on their religion.
I can't believe people are still stupid enough to think like this, but a slow clap to you sir for surprising me with your idiocy.
The Jews will kill ya if they don't get their way.
where is HILTER WHEN YOU NEED HIM...
If the Jews harm President Obama, what Hitler did will look like child's play.
This is the time we will like to pay respect and homage to Hitler and his jewish cause!
Like brother Farrakhan said: Hitler was a GREAT man! Now we know why.
We as Black people dare jewish people to try any freaking thing on Pres. Obama and his family or any member of his family members. Jewish people in America are evil and worse than the KKK.
If I could press a button with my left azzz cheak to wipe Israel off the map I wuld. I'll say what most of you think, Hilter should have finished the job. Israel is a pain in everyones rear and has been for 40 years and more. They killed oyur Jesus for Christ sake (no pun intended)
While I agree that Israel should not have been formed, I strongly disagree with your idea of wiping out people just because of their religion/culture/race. Keep your hate-mongering to yourself.
We Black people will FINISH the job Hitler couldn't should some evil jew dare to take Pres. Obama down and leave his two daughters as orphans.
You can bet your bottom dollar on that for sure. The Blood bath will be worse than Baghdad and all Hitler's concentration camps combined.
Hate never helped anyone. You like Hitler? Look were Germany ended up at the end of WWII – not to mention their shame for an entire generation. Israel is a modern and democratic nation and will one day be at peace with Palestinians if both sides can compromise.
collective sickness with deadly effects on themselves and others.
Make Jerusalm an independant city/state where anyone of any faith can live without rockets flying over thier head and most of these problems would go away. 3 religions want to own Jerusalm, give it to everyone.
I don't think anyone would mind, except for the whole fact that both sides insist it belongs just to them. Oh, and the fact that Christian fundamentalists will do anything to promote conflict in the region, because it will bring about their oh-so-anticipated End Times.
The bible isn't able to be used as a real estate contract in the US. And Americans would rightly revolt if it was. So why do our politicians support its use for Israel?
Because our politicians ALL OF THEM are bought and paid for by AIPAC.
It's what our founding fathers referred to when writing the declaration of independence nim whit that is why. It's a shame how so many ppl have lost a sense of faith here. If ppl are unhappy pack your things and please leave. Isreal is an ally, extremist muslims are not.
They are not an ally...they are a parasite. Who threatens the life of an ally's president? Make sense?
Max, great point. An ally is someone that brings something to the table, and helps in some way. They are a mooching group of people that should be cut off financially and told to defend themselves.
As an goy alumnus from Brandeis, I'm startled that it seems the Jewish community in the U.S. cares more for Israel than the actual country the live in. It's sort of like a kid not caring much about his step dad and caring more for his biological dad even though his biological dad is a couple thousand miles away.
Why are you so startled? The Mexicans are the same way.
uh – how does Adler speak for the "Jewish" community. The U.S. Jewish community has been extremely active in causes benefiting the US, ranging from civil rights in the US, the anti-war movement of the 1960s, the development of technologies, universities, businesses, and literature, charitable giving, environmental movements, etc.
Israel is the biggest sucker for money from the US. It is like having a retarded child that requires so much attention and love, but gives nothing back in return.
Israel would be nothing without the US and the crusade of Israel to take over Palestine would never be successful without support from US. People call Fatah and Hamas bad, but what would happen if Hamas and Fatah did not fight against the Israelis?? Palestinians would be pushed out of their homes and the entire places would be called Israel.
The retarded child analogy is spot on, and a little amusing.
@Seth: Say it Loud from the mountain top!
And let all evil jews eat their hearts out!
We Black people hear ya loud and clear! No bullhorn needed!
These are the same EVIL people who crucified the Son of the living God simply ‘cos they thought he was an illegal immigrant in their mist. They're advocating the same EVIL deeds here against Pres. Obama.
If you're so damn proud of Israel, pro-israel, than go the hell back there. It always amazes me how people who are proud of being jewish, proud of being mexican, etc. and yet live here.
Ummm...Jews are not all from Israel, fool. Most Jewish Americans have no lineage back to the modern country of Israel. Most Jewish Americans don't even have a relative that has even visited Israel. And if you read this article, you would see that the writings of this one crazy person in Atlanta was condemned by the Jewish community, and that most Jewish Americans don't feel a tie to Israel as they once did in the past. READ.
Only a nut would want to live in Israel.
Why don't you go back to Imbeciliana, where you came from?
All the more reason to discontinue relations with Israel. Remember Newt is bought and paid for by Israel and is itching to take America to war with Iran if he is elected. I wish the worst on the Israli nation.
The Jews have been out of control for years. They are poor world citizens. It's them against the whole world, including America, who stupidly pours in millions of aid each year. I have nothing but contempt for the way this country conducts itself, and I am not by any means alone. The tide is turning against their shear arrogance.
"they are poor world citizens" "it's them against the world" who are you kidding? You have no clue of what you're talking about.
You call yourself "book girl" but you can't even spell correctly! The word you want is "sheer" arrogance, not "shear" arrogance. Sheer stupidity, I'd say.
Never mind the spelling...I get the gist....what I need is proof that they are not poor world citizens...anything? When have they aided another nation/country...anything?
Its hotter than a jew in an oven in here..
You are a disgrace to the human race!
You bet!
They pick a fight with the wrong race and son's and daughter's of First Adam and Eve of this earth.
Brother Farrakhan said best: Hitler was a GREAT man! Now we know why.