Jews and Israelis having different ideas in a liberal democracy is not a sign of menacing division. It is the opposite: a sign of Jewish cultural and intellectual health.
Those in glass houses should be the last to throw stones. Which country is more polarized than the States? And it is not just predicated on disagreement of issues but more of the loathing, hating variety.
Having said that, I have no doubt that if war was declared against the USA, all of the arguments and loathing would all drop to the wayside and patriotism would rule the day. Nothing like fighting for your survival to ignite that love and kinship with your fellow citizens.
Thanks for the perspective. A good reminder that we Jews are an opinionated and argumentative group, that is just part of our culture. Israelis especially love to argue and discuss. We need to be reminded to take it with a grain of salt. I do think the media has divided us further than we naturally would be, and is exceptionally biased these days...
The Jewish People are Multi-Racial. We are Multi-Cultural, and Multi-Ethnic, and of many languages. We can be Ultra-Orthodox and Liberal Reform. We can be born Jewish or convert to Judaism. But we are united in Torah under one G-d, in both Israel and the Diaspora. These are the Facts. Shana Tovah! I am a British Jew who supports Bibi Netanyahu, and Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin whose brother was killed by the Nazis in The Siege of Leningrad, now St Petersburg. I am a Science-rationalist with an interest in the Empirical Method as a route to Truth, and who believes there is no contradiction between Science and its Methods, with Faith and Religion. I am also now Zionist, and I became so after experiencing Neo-Nazism here in The State first hand and then realising the only place of real safety for Jewish People is Israel. Am Israel Chai.
Those in glass houses should be the last to throw stones. Which country is more polarized than the States? And it is not just predicated on disagreement of issues but more of the loathing, hating variety.
Having said that, I have no doubt that if war was declared against the USA, all of the arguments and loathing would all drop to the wayside and patriotism would rule the day. Nothing like fighting for your survival to ignite that love and kinship with your fellow citizens.
papa j
Solid analysis of modern day Jews. Actually quite positive after all is said and done.
Thanks for the perspective. A good reminder that we Jews are an opinionated and argumentative group, that is just part of our culture. Israelis especially love to argue and discuss. We need to be reminded to take it with a grain of salt. I do think the media has divided us further than we naturally would be, and is exceptionally biased these days...
Thank you for your erudite and uplifting article. You have succinctly and successfully articulated the spirit of Israel and meaning of democracy.
An excellent article. Thank you.
The Jewish People are Multi-Racial. We are Multi-Cultural, and Multi-Ethnic, and of many languages. We can be Ultra-Orthodox and Liberal Reform. We can be born Jewish or convert to Judaism. But we are united in Torah under one G-d, in both Israel and the Diaspora. These are the Facts. Shana Tovah! I am a British Jew who supports Bibi Netanyahu, and Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin whose brother was killed by the Nazis in The Siege of Leningrad, now St Petersburg. I am a Science-rationalist with an interest in the Empirical Method as a route to Truth, and who believes there is no contradiction between Science and its Methods, with Faith and Religion. I am also now Zionist, and I became so after experiencing Neo-Nazism here in The State first hand and then realising the only place of real safety for Jewish People is Israel. Am Israel Chai.