Between greater antisemitism in the West and the promise of Israel, a new question emerges: not where Jews should live, but how they can build the freedom to choose.
I admire your writing, thank you and a zizzen pesach to you and yours!! My daughter made Aliyah 15 years ago, is married to an amazing Israeli and raising three of my grandchildren there. We visit annually and stay at least a month. It is my favorite place on earth!!! Am Yisrael Chai! ✡️💙🤍🇮🇱💞
"Not a reaction to crisis, but a proactive rethinking of what it means to be a people that has always lived between worlds." No, no, no. Not fair. That's capitulation to rejection, accepting that there's no home and worse, that there never will be. Take hope and determination from Jews and replace it with submission and acceptance? Were the Chosen selected because they were weak? It is their resilience, certitude and determination that called them as chosen to carry God's unwavering message of spiritual survival. Next year in Jerusalem, indeed. Meet you there.
There is a famous photo of Moshe Dayan and Yitzhak Rabin in uniform and helmets entering Old Jerusalem in 1967 which all should see. From that point on Jewish folks reclaimed the city and their long deferred yearning was now an accomplished fact. Today, with worldwide anti-semitism on the rise due to the influence of Islam I agree that the diaspora should consider having "Optionality" as a reserve to make whichever choice possible.
Understand your comment but Islam in Europe and elsewhere is exacerbating the undercurrent anti-semitism. Yes, the irrational hatred of Jews IS deplorable but Islam gives it a very visible body. For example, say something in disagreement regarding Islam in Europe whether written online or spoken and see what happens.
I believe if you don't go back to the Country which God gave to you.
With the things that are happening now There is going to be Shift for all Humanity, This war in Iran The straits of Hormuz There is going to be fuel shortages, Then we won't have Fuel No way to leave, No food,no food a famine.
Would you be able to go if there is no way to get to Israel.
It's up to you.
It started with Israel and It will end with Israel.
Israel is part of my life and Zionism and Israel are inseparable threads of my Jewishness. I'm borrowing from one Rabbi Cosgrove in this edition of New Yorker. A long read written by someone named Eyal Pressler. Your thoughts I add to the story he writes of the Jews allegedly agonizing over Israel's response to Oct. 7th. Jews who may have not stepped foot in Israel ...or will only go as part of tours that are Palocentric and approving of their narrative. But these Jews who live in safety can rail against Israel's democratically elected gov't but Love the regime in Tehran. The New Yorker is itself very very anti Zionist...I was reading a neighbor's copy.....so to what degree do Jews outside Israel...especially in the Anglosphere engage with Israel? Frankly I found the need for the rabbi of a a very WOKE congregation to speak of the Gaza dead as he mourns the Israelis...obnoxious. Because I'm in a Jewish setting for the High Holidays and my focus in on Jews. Other Jews ...allegedly....are so in distress that their synagogues display an Israeli flag that they have to found their own ANTI Zionist ! congregations. As far as Mr. Pressler is concerned the racist and fascist Muslim brotherhood front group the jvp is "anti war"...The rest of us Jews are evidently pro war. I wonder at this cross roads for Jews in the Diaspora how to better engage with Israelis more effectively and supportively than lecture them on how disapproving we are of their decisions. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to go back for another visit. I get the sense they really appreciate seeing ALL visitors ...and the support of Diaspora Jews in particular when I'm there.
I admire your writing, thank you and a zizzen pesach to you and yours!! My daughter made Aliyah 15 years ago, is married to an amazing Israeli and raising three of my grandchildren there. We visit annually and stay at least a month. It is my favorite place on earth!!! Am Yisrael Chai! ✡️💙🤍🇮🇱💞
Same here, once a year.
"Not a reaction to crisis, but a proactive rethinking of what it means to be a people that has always lived between worlds." No, no, no. Not fair. That's capitulation to rejection, accepting that there's no home and worse, that there never will be. Take hope and determination from Jews and replace it with submission and acceptance? Were the Chosen selected because they were weak? It is their resilience, certitude and determination that called them as chosen to carry God's unwavering message of spiritual survival. Next year in Jerusalem, indeed. Meet you there.
There is a famous photo of Moshe Dayan and Yitzhak Rabin in uniform and helmets entering Old Jerusalem in 1967 which all should see. From that point on Jewish folks reclaimed the city and their long deferred yearning was now an accomplished fact. Today, with worldwide anti-semitism on the rise due to the influence of Islam I agree that the diaspora should consider having "Optionality" as a reserve to make whichever choice possible.
The rise of Jew hate is not just due to the influence of Islam. All the haters are coming out of the shadows, now.
Understand your comment but Islam in Europe and elsewhere is exacerbating the undercurrent anti-semitism. Yes, the irrational hatred of Jews IS deplorable but Islam gives it a very visible body. For example, say something in disagreement regarding Islam in Europe whether written online or spoken and see what happens.
I believe if you don't go back to the Country which God gave to you.
With the things that are happening now There is going to be Shift for all Humanity, This war in Iran The straits of Hormuz There is going to be fuel shortages, Then we won't have Fuel No way to leave, No food,no food a famine.
Would you be able to go if there is no way to get to Israel.
It's up to you.
It started with Israel and It will end with Israel.
If I was Jewish I would go in a heartbeat.
We love you Guys
Israel is part of my life and Zionism and Israel are inseparable threads of my Jewishness. I'm borrowing from one Rabbi Cosgrove in this edition of New Yorker. A long read written by someone named Eyal Pressler. Your thoughts I add to the story he writes of the Jews allegedly agonizing over Israel's response to Oct. 7th. Jews who may have not stepped foot in Israel ...or will only go as part of tours that are Palocentric and approving of their narrative. But these Jews who live in safety can rail against Israel's democratically elected gov't but Love the regime in Tehran. The New Yorker is itself very very anti Zionist...I was reading a neighbor's copy.....so to what degree do Jews outside Israel...especially in the Anglosphere engage with Israel? Frankly I found the need for the rabbi of a a very WOKE congregation to speak of the Gaza dead as he mourns the Israelis...obnoxious. Because I'm in a Jewish setting for the High Holidays and my focus in on Jews. Other Jews ...allegedly....are so in distress that their synagogues display an Israeli flag that they have to found their own ANTI Zionist ! congregations. As far as Mr. Pressler is concerned the racist and fascist Muslim brotherhood front group the jvp is "anti war"...The rest of us Jews are evidently pro war. I wonder at this cross roads for Jews in the Diaspora how to better engage with Israelis more effectively and supportively than lecture them on how disapproving we are of their decisions. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to go back for another visit. I get the sense they really appreciate seeing ALL visitors ...and the support of Diaspora Jews in particular when I'm there.
A very new idea!