Can you love Israel and still criticize it?

A central challenge has emerged in the American Jewish community's relationship to and support of Israel: How can we as American Jews, embodying an often secular and universalist worldview, support Israel without compromising our ethics or ignoring a complicated reality?

Many American Jews, particularly under 30, have solved this by simply ceasing their support.  Some have taken it upon themselves to prove their ideological credentials by actively working against the State of Israel through the BDS movement.  A middle ground, of sorts, holds that one can be 'Pro-Israel' without being Zionist, that is, that one can simultaneously support Israel and work for peace.  The recent move to the right by the Israeli government has challenged this view.

Jews have always had a sense of connection to the land and the people of Israel, but only in the past 63 years have we had a state as well. Recently, I came across a piece by a friend that recasts the issue in an interesting way.

Zoe Jick, who works with the World Zionist Organiztion and MASA, wrote an article in which she reframes the conversation by suggesting that Zionist means believing in the Utopian ideal of a Jewish homeland that is a light unto the nations.  Pro-Israel, she argues, is a measure of support for the government of Israel's policies.

AIPAC, the largest Pro-Israel lobby, claims that they support the relationship between the US and Israel and don't take political stances.  However, as the Israeli government's policies reflect an increasingly particularist view, and continue to empower the ultra-orthodox and settler minorities, it could be argued that an apolitical stance is still a nod in favor of the very political status quo.

Given this context, Jick suggests that we should reclaim the idea of Zionism, and use it as a base from which to criticize the policies and practices that are moving the very real State of Israel away from the ideals of the People of Israel.

Obviously, not everyone feels the way Jick does, and she was singled out in a recent opinion piece by Evelyn Gordon.  What you'll notice is that the author of this piece doesn't actually respond to Jick's ideas, merely takes quotes out of context to lament how terrible it is that even Jewish communal professionals can't be counted on to support Israel.  In doing so Gordon lays bare the rift between those who believe that there are legitimate areas for criticism, and that dissent is in fact the duty of those who truly love Israel, and those who believe that absolute support and defense of Israel is a responsibility of all Jews.

As the space for true dialogue contracts, ill-informed zealots from both sides of the isle are allowed to spin distortions, misinformation, and outright lies to an increasingly polarized consumer base.  Given this situation, is it a surprise that so many of us are simply tuning out?

Why don't we create spaces for REAL dialogue on these issues; safe spaces, with intellectual standards, in which we can discuss our feelings, our challenges, and our ideas without fear of recrimination?

In a Jewish world in which people have to take sides on issues of depth and subtlety, everyone loses.  We are too small of a people and the issues are too important to be co-opted by media trends of sound bytes and ad hominem attacks.  This Hanukkah, bring a little light into the world by studying the issues more deeply, withholding judgement in conversations, and engaging in real conversation. Read More......

Sarah Palin's Ties to Jews for Jesus

Among everything else, does Sarah Palin support Jews for Jesus?



http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/3/10452/19058

Sarah Palin was in church two weeks ago when David Brickner, the Jews for Jesus founder, stopped by to spread a little anti-Semitism. Brickner has been quoted as describing terrorist attacks on Israeli's as God's judgment of unbelief of Jews who haven't embraced Christianity.

And here is what Palin's pastor had to say about Brickner: "He’s a leader of Jews for Jesus, a ministry that is out on the leading edge in a pressing, demanding area of witnessing and evangelism."

Does it bother you? Is Sarah Palin responsible for the actions of her church and her pastor? Is it yet more proof that Sarah Palin should not be our next VP? Let yourself be heard!
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A 'kosher' way to treat employees?

CNN is reporting on the fall-out of the Agriprocessors kosher meat packing plant in Postville, Iowa, at which illegal and underage immigrants were found to be working.

The question this seems to have opened up is, do the laws of Kashrut extend beyond the actual food, into the company and it's employees?

Jewish dietary laws, known as Kashrut (from whence the word, Kosher comes), are part of the 613 commandments contained in the Torah, although the interpretation of these laws has become something of a business.

Much like 'Certified Organic' requires certain payouts, the 'heksher' or mark of kosher-ness on food is also big business, due to the portion of Jews who still strictly (or otherwise) adhere to this dietary system.

The situation with Agriprocessors is so interesting because, strictly in terms of the actual food and how it is processed, the meat is kosher.

Because Kashrut is part of a set of laws bounded in ethical monotheism, however, the broader implications of Agriproc's actions have caused quite a stir to the point that some are advocating for another level of kashrut, a righteous kashrut.

According to the article, "Interest in Allen's "hekhsher tzedek," or "certificate of righteousness," has ballooned since a May 12 immigration raid at Agriprocessors in Postville, Iowa.

As a pick-n-choose-Jew (patents pending), I have never eaten shellfish or pork (knowingly), I try not to mix red meat with cheese (usually), and I try to rationalize my decisions based on my limited knowledge of the actual content of the Torah. But I don't only eat food (meat included) that has been branded by a heksher

This story, however, has a very interesting angle in it closely related to 'stuff Jewish young adults like'. That angle is the feel good angle. We want to feel good about what we eat, where it came from, how it was handled, and now, under what working conditions it was handled.

I may not want to pay the increased price for beef produced at living wages, but dammit if I want my meat tainted with the tears and (underpaid) sweat of underage immigrant labor.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, as this is really the case of a niche market to whom these ethical concerns be turn out to be paramount depending on which rabbi decides to make a proclamation one way or the other.

How do you rationalize the omnivore's dilemma?
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Business Secrets of the Jews

Every once in a while, someone puts into words, succinctly, many of the ideas which have manifested themselves as part of the 'quarter-life-crisis'.

I was going through my daily Filtrbox updates when I happened across an article
that caught my attention. The title read, "Can Chinese people understand business secrets of the Jews."

Seeing as how I've been trying to figure out these secrets that I'm apparently entitled to, aka the 'earning gene', I figured I'd peruse.

What I got was something pretty incredible.

In one article, the author neatly described the evolution of Jewish model-minority status in this country, its connection with the existential dilemma that many Jewish young adults now face, and the issue of Jewish identity.

Worth a read.
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The Scottish Arms

Just got back from the best meal I have ever had in St. Louis, no joke...

The Scottish Arms, a hidden gem (at least to me) in the CWE, boasts authentic Scottish food, as well as one of the most extensive Scotch menus in the world. Rosh and I went on a whim (and a Fish n Chips recommendation) after a hard fought game of water polo. I could not give this place a stronger recommendation... A quick run-down:

When you go, wear more than just gym shorts and sandals, although they treated us well, Rosh and I learned this the hard way. This is a little nicer than your typical corner pub, so don't be afraid to dress like it.

Beer: I had the Scottish Belhaven Twisted Thistle, which was the perfect mix of amber ale with some fruity undertones. Rosh when with the Smithwicks, which if you have never had is a good introduction into darker beers. They have an extensive list of beers on tap from a host of countries. This would be a great bar to go to in addition to a great restauarant.

Appetizer: We bit the bullet and ordered the haggis, which if you don't know what it is, probably for the best. This haggis was fried and came as a fritter, which gave us the nerve we needed to order the traditional Scottish dish. Jew Alert!!!!: It tasted a lot like chopped liver, which we all know is a good thing. Definitely a good gamble

Entree: You never can go wrong with fish n chips, but here, you can actually go right. Tender, sweet, delicious. Really really really good, and if something so simple is prepared so well, I can only imagine what some of the more imaginative menu items (pork chop, cornish hen) are like

Dessert: Rosh had the goat cheese cheesecake (you saw that right) and I went with one of the dozens of Scotches they offer. Both unique, both delicious, both something that I would come back for. You know that burning feeling you get after a shot of Jack, or even Johnny? Well I had one of the cheapest Scotches they offer, and there was none of that. Just sweet Scotch goodness. Scotch scotch scotch, I love scotch... never truer.

In short, don't wait any longer to try out the Scottish Arms, its a great date restaurant and is certainly one of the more interesting places you can try in St. Louis.
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Park Posse

Wednesday is turning into 'flex the network' day. Free admission to the Botanical Gardens, live music, and no open container law means there is a good chance you'll find me at MOBot under the stars, and given yesterday's turnout, more than a few friends as well.

We walked, biked, and drove from all over the city for a taste of the Botanical Garden's Wednesday night jazz series, and no one was disappointed. As the light drifted away like a saxophone solo to 'Girl From Ipanema', bottles of wine were uncorked, and so were conversations. Did I mention that it was free?

The six degrees rule was definitely in full effect as everyone seemed to see people they knew as we traversed the sprawling gardens in search of a patch of grass to set up shop on. Somehow, we had everything we needed, solo cups, wine, blankets, at one point I make a remark about how good strawberries would be and FR pulls a container of strawberries out of her bag, it was eerie.

The key take away (if I can borrow business jargon for a minute) is that there we were, the foundation of the community I've been searching for/trying to create, and it was as simple as jazz in the park. No programming or email lists necessary, just good people, getting together to enjoy the company of other good people. Maybe we are on to something. I wonder if there is a way to make a living doing this kinda stuff.
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Special Dispatch from Israel

Our wonderful Israel correspondent passed along her first hand experience of the effects of the constant bombardment of Southern Israel and Sderot in particular.

The following is a first hand report from KN, our (beautiful and fantastic) Israeli correspondent:

I was recently invited to participate in a "Fact Finding Mission" in Israel, and I am now writing to you now because of the immense impact the program had on me. I was so affected by this program that I feel the need to share some of my experiences. Please let me know if you have any questions about what I did, and I'm always happy to give more information.

Background: After the conflict with Hezbollah in 2006, communities in the US and Canada raised over $360 million through the UJC (United Jewish Communities.) $215 million of that money was designated to create the "Israel Emergency Campaign," a collective allocations process. The money was used to sponsor 92 programs within Israel during the conflict. The programs are meant to serve two purposes: responding to immediate needs and long-term strengthening of the regions affected. If you want more information on those programs, please let me know, and I'll be happy to provide more information.

The program I took part in was created for the leading American journalists on Jewish Affairs. The program was organized not so they could be lectured by various Israeli officials, but rather so they could speak one on one with officials, recipients of the emergency campaign program, and victims of the conflicts Israel continues to face.
In regards to that conflict, to catch you up: In the summer of 2006 the major conflict Israel faced with Hezbollah was in the north. That area has since become quiet, however what some people are unaware of is that for the past seven plus years, the city of Sderot and the area of the Western Negev have been under the shadow of relentless Kassam rocket attacks. These attacks are often only reported on when they are particularly intense, or result in tragedy. What is not mentioned is that these rockets have become a part of daily life in the region.

Over 4,000 rockets have fallen on Israeli territory since 2004. A similar number of mortar bombs have fallen as well. On a "quiet day," an average of two to four rockets, and six to fourteen mortars are fired on Israel from the Gaza strip.

Recently those rockets and mortars are becoming more sophisticated. Their range is longer, they are more accurate and the damage they cause is greater. Some 200,000 residents live under the threat of these weapons. Grad missiles have recently come into use, and can reach further distances, all the way to the city of Ashkelon. According to reports, these missiles will soon be able to penetrate even further into Israel.

In the next few weeks the reporters on this trip will be publishing their articles. Please keep an eye out for them in the UJC, JDC, Jewish Standard, Baltimore, Atlanta and New Jersey Jewish Times, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the JUF News, Chicago, and several other Jewish Affairs publications.

I met the group at their hotel in Ashkelon, a beautiful, expanding beach city which has only begun to see rocket fire. We heard from the major of the city about its struggle to remain hopeful, and the challenge of remaining prosperous at this time. We next heard from several speakers representing the media and military branches of Israel about the current threats we are facing.

The following days activities began with the drive to the border with Gaza. On route we witnessed a police crew collecting pieces of a Kassam rocket which had landed earlier in the morning. Several rockets fell during our days spent in the region, including one which injured several citizens, and left one dead.

Since the rockets began falling almost eight years ago, an estimated 25% of the citizens of Sderot have left the city. Those that remain are the ones who often don't have the means to leave. The group visited school which received a "trauma center" with the help of the emergency campaign funding. When entering the school we were briefed about the kids we were about to meet. We were told that when the rockets began falling, children's pictures reflected their fears with drawings of blood and bodies. However, in more recent times pictures have changed: they are now mostly colorless and empty. They show fragmented images, "a face here, a leg there...these are signs of extreme depression and apathy," said one of the campaign leaders.

What is striking about citizens receiving emergency aid is that the emergency is not yet over. There is no PTSD, but rather continuing trauma. The therapists brought in to help citizens cope often have to eventually receive therapy themselves. One boy told me that "no one in Sderot is not traumatized".

One interesting result of these programs is that the children of Sderot are now experts on talking about their fears, anxieties and emotions. They are articulate and direct about how they feel, and why they are scared. I noticed that the kids participating in the provided programs were quiet, and extremely well behaved.

The trauma center we visited was built in an elementary school. There were drawings of flowers on the walls, and bean bag chairs to sit on along one wall. In another area there was a foam figure, and beside it boxing gloves, where children were encouraged to take out their anxiety.

The first program we witnessed was tai chi. The kids stood beside one another quietly, and after several breathing exercises were told to "gather all of their fears, anxieties and anger towards the rockets falling on their homes, and in the city and near them every single day, to gather all of that fear and anxiety and really gather it up and focus on it, and then...to release, release, release."

The next group was pet therapy. The children tend to transfer their fears onto the animals they handle, in order to better talk about their fears. Taking care of the animals helps them feel more in control of their own fears. The kids had built a mouse city with poster board and used toilet paper rolls. The rolls were all linked like piping in a circle. When asked why the city was built this way, the kids explained that the tubes were places the mice could go to feel safe, and get protection.

We later met with a group of teenagers from Sderot who were traveling the country in order to talk about the crisis they face. They admitted that they wonder if the government cares about them, since it does not seem to be reacting with much force. They also fear that the rest of the country does not know or care about them. In their volunteer work in other cities, they said that many people have no idea about the crisis they face; people are shocked by their story. "Sderot is only about an hours drive from Tel-Aviv by car. How is it that the rest of the country can be clueless about our situation?" The students do not want to leave their homes, but they are unsure what the future holds for them.--
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Obama Mania

So Barack Obama is the “presumptive nominee for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency of the United States of America” aka John McCain’s other half in the royal rumble to fill W’s not so gigantic shoes. Everywhere in the Jewish community, Obama has been embraced with open arms as the nation’s savior, the man who has suffered just like us and understands our plight… the man who will talk the Iranians into submission… the man who will create a two state solution and be back on Air Force One in time for the complementary peanuts and feature film…

Not so fast. For there is another side to the Jewish community’s response to Obama, and this one paints a picture that is not so rosy. Barack Obama: the man with the Muslim sounding name… the man who is hiding his true allegiance to the Palestinians… the man who will empower the Iranians and sacrifice the one true democracy in the Middle East for an afternoon of golf with his Muslim friends…

It is clear that the Jewish community is quite conflicted over what to think of the latest craze to sweep the nation. Different than many disagreements within the faith, however, the answer here can not be live and let live. When electing the leader of the free world, it’s good for everyone to be on the same page. So let’s break it down…

Before we do though, a word about myself, so that everything is on the table and you know just where I am coming from. I am probably like a lot of you who are reading this: A young Jewish professional trying to make his way in the not so vast, sprawling metropolis that is St. Louis. I have recently returned to St. Louis after a brief stint in the Northeast working on a campaign for one of Obama’s early rivals for the Democratic nomination. I am writing to share my thoughts on a variety of issues, sure, but most of all I want to see St. Louis live up to its potential, and I want to see us take it there, be that through intelligent conversation, hitting up the various cultural and entertainment venues in the city, or general debauchery. Yes, that’s right, there is room for all three.

But back to the issue at hand: Just what is the Jewish community to make of Barack Obama?

First, one ground rule, from my political experience. Do not judge someone simply on what YOU think their beliefs are. When it comes to a choice as important as we have in this election, let the candidates and those who are working for them do their jobs. They are there to inform you of what they think, so listen. Why that matters here is that too many people in the Jewish community seem to have written Obama off without a second glance. “His name’s Barack? He was born a Muslim? He wants to negotiate with our enemies in the Middle East? Screw him, I’m voting for McCain, at least he’ll nuke Tehran before giving up Israel”

This is the mindset taken on by a segment of the Jewish population towards Obama, and it is one that I admittedly did try on for size. If something is as popular in the mainstream as Obama, there has to be something for Jews to fear, right?

At the same time, however, there is the first group I mentioned, the group who sees him as a savior, not just for Israel, but the world. Now this is probably going a little too far. Remember the men who have come before who have not been able to make a dent in the peace process: John F. Kennedy,George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton all nice, personable people by many accounts, who got nowhere near the goal of peace.

Before fleshing out my opinion though, a word on these two camps. In one corner, you have the serial deniers, those who insist Obama is bad for Israel, despite the evidence to the contrary. More or less, this will be your older generations, those who have become more cynical and hardened with time. In the other corner, you have your optimists, the younger generations, the same ones you could hear chanting even a year ago from Iowa to New Hampshire, “Obama, 08, be a part of something great!” These young Jews are flocking to Obama like the rest of their generation. So are the young Jews overlooking Obama’s stance on Israel because they are so caught up in his aura, or are the older Jews ignoring the facts right in front of them?

The answer lies somewhere in the middle, and I will let Obama begin to tell the story himself. In a speech to the Jewish community in Florida, he reminded us all of the origins of his name Barack. It comes from the Hebrew, Baruch, meaning Blessed. Good start. Plus, Obama has committed time and again throughout his campaign to defend Israel to the best of his ability. Now, some critics suggest this language means he would not go far enough with the use of force. However, we have seen that movie before. Brute force, while allowing Israel to survive, has not gotten us any closer to the ultimate goal of peace. Sure, Obama must convince us all that he will be willing to use the force necessary to defend Israel. But he has already told us that he not only appreciates Israel’s strategic significance, but its spiritual and historical significance as well. If you listen, you will hear that this is not a man looking to make any changes in the status quo, at least on this issue.

The place he is different, and this doesn’t just apply to this issue, is at the margin. The man has done a good job, and forced the nation to associate his name with HOPE. And that’s what an Obama presidency will be all about. The hope that things can be different. Will he strike peace in the Middle East? I don’t know, and frankly I myself am a little skeptical about the Obama hope mantra. But one things is for certain: the man is willing to try.

So all you conspiracy theorists, come out of the basement and put away your canned goods. President Obama will not spell the end of the Jewish state as we know it. Or let me put that another way: If we are lucky, if what we hope he is he really is, then maybe, just maybe, he might. The end of the horror and terror that we know, and the beginning of an era of peace and hope.

So give him a chance, Jews of America and the world. When it comes right down to it, both McCain and Obama will defend and protect Israel. But there is only one who will do so while also looking towards peace. And besides, McCain has another 100 years in Iraq to deal with anyway, isn’t that right, Mr. Very Very Conservative Hiding in a Moderate’s Clothing? But that’s another story for another day. Read More......

Pre Shabbat Fix

As a PSA that I can agree with, JFedSTL has arranged for 15 front row seats to Matisyahu, the hippy turned frum Yid whose reaggae style arrangements and Yeshivish toasting has made him a household name. To throw your name in the hat, click here

From Jewishinstlouis --

Matisyahu Raffle

On Wednesday, June 25th, world famous Heeb-hopper Matisyahu returns to St. Louis for another unforgettable concert. jewishinstlouis.org has ten tickets for the show. Doors open - 7pm. Concert begins - 8pm.--

I, with the help of Hershey, uncovered this recording of Matis playing at Wash U a few years ago before anyone knew who he was. I had the pleasure of attending this concert and dancing my @$$ off. Because this recording was done before he really had press coverage, its a good idea of what he actually sounds like. Props to AWien for recording thing.

G and I interviewed Matis a few years back, really at the height of his career in many ways. He played, at the now closed down Mississippi Nights, to a sold out crowd that consisted of half frum Yids and half regular kids.

I caught up with him after the show, and although clearly exhausted, and with a raspy voice, he explained to us why he is more than a gimmick, and why he chose to say the uncensored Sh'ma prayer as part of his set that night. "That's the first time I've ever done that," he said, barely louder than a whisper.

To summarize, he said, that they say you shouldn't profane God's name if you aren't really saying the prayer, or if it is sung as part of a song, but he doesn't see how it is any less of a prayer if he's singing it, and in fact, he thinks it makes it that much more powerful.


I'll keep searching the interwebs for this interview, as it might be of interest to some. Read More......

Discovery

So I did some cursory Facebook searches and found that there are actually a couple hundred youngish Jewish kids around, either through Jgrads, YPD, or GesherCity.

I recognize the difficulty of coordinating between groups, resources agendas... etc. maybe there needs to be a 'career fair' model for all the groups trying to court us so that we could determine which groups really align with the type of involvement we want to have, from purely social to more religious or social justice focuses.

As I see it, the people would be the only reason to keep us here. STL doesn't have the population or activity diversity or density of NYC, DC, Chi-town, or LA. It doesn't have the beaches of the West Coast or the weather of the South.

The city's culture is a little incongruent with the majority of young Jews (if you don't vote Democrat when you are young, you have no soul, if you don't vote Republican when you are old, you have no savings) so really you have a few strikes against you.

Perhaps most challenging about St. Louis is simply the layout. There are little pockets or neighborhoods spread out over a fairly vast area considering the relatively small population. We are spread out across regions from downtown and the actual city of St. Louis (Vassup!) out to the depths of West County (Ish don't sink so). Nothing against West County, tax base depletion aside, but people move out there to start families, not communities.

Anyways, the point is just that we need an urban JCC. Wait. . .is that the point?
Perhaps its a point. We need a rallying point somewhere that is fairly central, where people want to be, where they are comfortable being. A place where they can drop through after work, have a beer (that isn't yellow fizzy water) or a water. . . whatever.

Let me try that again. We need a place, physical or digital, where people exchange ideas and connect, because contact is key for a community. Read More......