that it gives American Jews WAY too much credit, saying they "love" Israel and care about it so much, blah blah. Most American Jews are close to totally ignorant about Israel and care about it marginally at best. That's why they voted Obama. That's why the large majority of them have NEVER VISITED Israel (established fact). They've been to Thailand, Belgium, you name it, but Israel is so far down the list that they never make it here. That is, it's not on the list at all. They're not even curious. so let's speak truth and not reassuring pablum.

Not only does the author think American Jews are heathens but he thinks they are stupid to buy his nonsense.

A lot of Jews I know prefer to call their parents aba and ima once they learn the word. As for Christmas, you can let people know about it, but let's face it, it has about as much to do with Christ these days as Valentine's Day has to do with St. Valentine (just the name). If your kids are going to do anything, just let them decorate etc, but educate them on the importance of the Maccabbean rebellion and the story about the oil, and encourage a lot more blue and white in the decorations. If they just think of it as a time for decoration and a few presents, all will be well. But you have to celebrate Khanukkah as well! Not to mention Sukkot; that way your kids get to decorate two things a year. The key to maintaining Jewish identity is and always has been education (Yiddish too, but let's go one step at a time). As for keeping it in the Jewish people re: marriage. Well American Jews need to be educated on the wonders of Israeli women. Nowhere else will you find women with such terrific looks AND great personalities!

I agree with everything you wrote. The ads are only intended to bring Israelis back home.

Obama and his associates needed a pretext to unleash Propaganda War on Israel. Obama and his Jewish collaborators, Jeffrey Goldberg, Robert Wexler and "Jews for J Street" couldn't care less for either Christmas or Hanukkah. So, they've invented this shtick: "American Jews Are Offended by the Israeli Ads as though they aren't 100% Jews." Most likely 99,9% of the American Jews and 90% of the Israeli Americans never saw these ads. And those very few of us who saw ads are smart enough to understand Yishai Fleisher's arguments. Under this cover, Obama, his supporters, Obama press and TV, have unleashed a barrage of distortions and innuendos to denigrate the Jewish state. Here are five elements of this anti-Israel "Shock and Awe": 1) Allegedly, the Israelis don't like and despise the American Jews. Allegedly for the American Jews Christmas is a national holiday 2) Obama's Ambassador in Belgium has modified a blood libel against the Israelis and the Jews worldwide: "We, ourselves, have sponsored the Muslim anti-Semitism by mistreating the Palestinians" 3) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton harshly criticized Israel comparing the Jewish state to Iran 4) Secretary of Defense has squarely placed blame on Israel on the regional instability, "refusal" to negotiate with the Palestinians. All enemies of Israel have rejoiced at this statement. 5) Obama's Ambassador to Israel has complained to the Israeli government about the "antidemocratic" legislation before the Knesset. At the same time, Obama and his supporters claim that Obama is the staunch friend of the Jewish state. With friends like that...

your government put a lot of money and effort in a RELIGIOUS campaign, and its - allegedly - aimed at (1) bringing "back" ISRAELIS, of which most were probably anyway secular and it seems, that one of their reasons to leave often was a too restrictive religion... --> how many israelis(!) might come back anyway - but especially FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS ? to bring this group back, would you really choose a religious reasoning in the ad? (2) if your government is so overly concerned to bring israelis back, then they must be even more concerned about israelis leaving for the US... do you have a similar campaign running in israel ? "please dont leave, your children wont know about hanukkah..." ==> is it possible, that this campaign was aimed at american jews, potential AMERICAN SETTLERS, with avoiding to ask for "settlers" ?

im right, pls publish it...

Not all American Jews are or want to be Israelis and not all Israelis would make good Americans, Jewish or otherwise.

The truth hurts. American Jews are shrinking in numbers-marrying out and low birth rates. Israeli-Americans have difficulty integrating into the US Jewish community- and whatever Jewish identity it has- and most are secular and can't maintain their Jewish/Israeli identity in the US. Their chidren don't know Hebrew, don't celebrate Purim (Halloween anyone?), don't go to Yerusalayim, Tveriah, don't say Shabbat Shalom, don't say Abba, Imma, Saba, Savta, etc. Also, the fact is that American Jews hardly visit Israel- one in three- the lowest of any significant Diaspora community, and, that from the wealthiest community. Even an anecdotal look at the American Jewish scene will reveal complete ignorance (yes, some aren't, ie. modern orthodox), assimilation, rampant inter-marriage. Take out the Russian Jewish influx of the last 20 years and the Jewish population numbers would be even worse. It is a sad fact.

American Jews are American. Israeli Jews that return to Israel complain about Israeli arrogance and rudeness and of course not to mention the outrageous prices and low salaries. If Israel really wants it's citizens to return maybe it would heed the advice of it's own citizens and look at the cost of living in Israel or maybe it should run ads in Israel about how to be polite and on the negatives of aggressive driving in a traffic jam.

why didn't they just SAY THAT instead of making ambivalent ads that risk offending others and DIVING Jews? If you are concerned about your partner not understanding why you are sad on Yom Hakiron, MARRY A JEW or TELL YOUR PARTNER. If you are concerned about your child not knowing what Hanukah is, SEND THEM TO JEWISH DAY SCHOOL, EDUCATE YOUR CHILD, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. "It directly targets Israelis and asks them a tough question: Do you want your child to say Daddy or Abba? Fair enough." Jews in the United States can't speak Hebrew at home? Please, I can't even tell you the number of families I have heard speaking Hebrew. While there is truth in the argument that when you leave your country, there is risk of assimilation and losing your culture, I think ex-pats are WELL aware of that and using these ads are a cop-out. Israel needs people to LIVE in Israel and SUPPORT Israel and DEFEND Israel--we all know that and we all want Israel to be a strong, flourishing homeland for our people. But that is achieved by making changes in Israel--the government needs to start making SMART decisions and stop isolating itself so that people will feel SAFER raising families there, it needs to make housing more AFFORDABLE so that young people can LIVE comfortably there--Israel needs to DO not just SAY.

I always felt closer to an Arab than an american Jew. I'm sorry. I'm myself from Algeria (my parents more precisely). I don't care if american Jews feel offended. BTW are they jewish ?

exactly what part of the article calls american jews heathens? are we reading the same article? maybe you;re that guy with the chip on his shoulder the article is talking about.

I understand the need of Israel to have a Jewish majority in the Land. But what about us who want to live in a place where you don't have to think about the constant possibility of a threatening war any moment? Do you understand those who do not wish to be harassed by idiotic questions about private life at the airport? Do you understand those who want to have nothing to do with the corrupt and self-righteous Orthodox rabbinic establishment and who however must bow down in front of this institution in order to get married? Do you understand those who want their children to learn good behaviour and manners and not be like those who try to fool you in business or just in private life, beginning from the arrogance in the super market cashier line? Please leave us alone.

First of all, Mr. Fleisher, it is not that "we have a millions Israelis living abroad", you DO NOT HAVE ME, what gives you the right to take ownership of me? How arrogant can you get, really... I did serve in the Military, and did my share of Miluim, too. The ad was not "offensive", it was plain offensive - get a clue, and get over your own ego, it will trip you over and over... Lastly, learn some English, it will expand your world view. "[T]he ingathering of the Jewish people from the four corners of the world is a central tenant of Zionism" has really nothing to do with with real estate and it is MAYBE, MAYBE a "tennet", not a "tenant"... All in all, quite a disgusting and arrogant view of former Israelis and how they choose to live their life.

As an Israeli living in America, I am further ashamed by the Israeli government after this article. Before you point your finger at American Jews, take a look in the mirror. Christmas in America? How about Valentines day being celebrated now by millions of Israelis ! Not being aware of Yom Hazikaron? Excuse me, how about Israelis who are oblivious to this day, who protest their government and military on a daily basis ? Last I checked, you can find plenty of bacon and other non-kosher foods throughout Israel, even in Jerusalem. It's about time Israeli, particularly the current government SHUT THE HELL UP. If not for the undying and often unrewarded support by American Jews and Israelis living abroad, Israel would crumble under extreme international pressure. You're a small country living amongst a hateful world. . we are the bastion that supports you, it's about time you stop biting the hand that feeds you.

Dumb Netanyahu. . .he thinks alienating the world isn't enough, now he has to anger american jews and israelis. No problem. You arrogant types in Israel think you can go it alone, without our support, our money, our advocacy, our protests in Washington on your behalf. . NO PROBLEM. Good luck as you burry yourselves into oblivion, while we enjoy the JEWISH healthy lives we made for ourselves without your arrogance and stupidity. You don't need us ? We're too stupid to appreciate you ? Good luck !

Liberals object to anything showing Israel or Judaism in a positive light.

Americanization turns a culture's cuisine into fast food. Likewise all integrated traditions lose their substance. Jewish faith is not immune to Americanization. It turns Chanukkah into Christmas for Jews. For Christians Christmas has been watered down from the birth of the their messiah to a generic winter holiday. In most of the country one can very easily be a Jew but it's very difficult to lead a Jewish life. The ads are correct 100%. The problems are not only for Israeli expats but American Jews as well.

They arent that smart, they've just been lcuky for the past 60 years. History will wash over them like a dirty plate. In the 350 years of their history they have accomplished specious litle in the history of the Jews. What Israel has achieved over the past 60 years miniscules that which was achieved by the golus over the past 2000 years. The future blongs to the Jews of Israel. Thye hold the key to future Jewish life. The American Jews will be a footnote to Jewish history much like the Jews of Alexandria oh so long ago.

The article is discussing the idea of ISRAELIs returning home and avoiding assimilating too far out of the culture (read: marrying American non Israelis). It attempts to explain that the ad was designed to pluck the heartstrings and tantalize the guilt of Israelis living abroad. Your other points are right on: it is shameful that most US Jews have little or in interest in Israel and that is a sad, sad fact.

You do not need to apologize, no offense was taken...I too wonder why Israeli's leave their homes and families and move to America. In my family, our son made Aliyah this summer, so the opposite happened! If we cannot move to Israel, surely we should be visiting frequently and supporting the economy there. I often look around me at the local malls, and wonder if there are any other Jews who feel as lonely as I do...ESPECIALLY during the x-mas season, which starts in late October now. In Israel, it is so wonderful to not be a minority for once. I don't blame anyone for wanting an "easier" life, but it surely cannot be a more meaningful life here compared to Israel. Israel is the REAL WORLD. Many cities in America (mine included) are just bubbles.

VERY GLAD I DON'T HAVE TO SEE THOSE OFFENSIVE COMMERCIALS. NOT GOING BACK NO MATTER WHAT.

"Rude, arrogant," blah blah.... This was perhaps true about forty years ago. Since then Israel has much more adopted a culture of courtesy. But what would you Americans know living over there? You come on some idiotic trip as a tourist for a week--if at all--and maybe one Israeli is impolite or doesn't say "Enjoy your meal sir" like an asinine American waitress, and then you're eternally justified to live in your American cocoon with Obama, Panetta, and Clinton and other leaders of nobility and righteousness. And your knowledge of the real Israeli people--the nobility, kindness, depth, soulfulness possessed by so many of them--is zero. The whole phenomenon of renewed Jewish sovereignty after two millennia is eternally lost on you, because some Israeli didn't say "Enjoy your meal sir." What a crock of stupid, shallow, idiotic people you are. I do not regret the "growing rift" between Israeli and American Jews, I celebrate it.

Jewish children in America call their fathers Daddy because WE SPEAK ENGLISH HERE! If they wanted to make an ad saying don't marry an American gentile, they wouldn't have used Remembrance Day to do it! Of course the guy is Jewish, give me a break. Lesson to Israeli grandparents: don't call on Christmas and ask your grandchildren what day it is in America! And finally, stop with all the explanatory opinion pieces, you just make it worse and you make people even more upset and angry with all this arrogant nonsense. Are there no positive reasons to encourage expats to return? How about, you will have more religious and cultural freedom in Israel than America. No that doesn't work.

...but it really looks, as the campaign wasnt (solely) aimed at expats... maybe they were not really the main target group... i would find the vids unsuitable to reach that effect on israeli expats... after all, israel cant openly call in the US to have their "natural" citizens leaving... the reason for the ads: the settler-enterprise is running dry... lets hit our foreheads: after abbas at the UN, the international backlashes, the dangling withdrawal, the overboiling violence by the "fellow" settlers - this is all turning off... nobody wants to join the club anymore... however - israel wants to "build build build", but nobody wants to move in... and the drool thing about that is, that the settler-enterprise was killed by israels most right-extreme goverment of all times: bibi, lieberman and the settlers... and that could be also the reason, why your government embraces the radical christians so much: they need them to come and to settle in the west bank ! jews dont come anymore...

Okay, I agree that the getting offending is over the top. If someone is born to two Jewish parents, speaks Hebrew, has an Israeli passport, and celebrates all the holidays, they are Jewish, right? If they were born in Algeria, Germany, Brazil? They are Jews and the same thing applies to Jews born in America. I have two Jewish parents, speak Hebrew, have an Israeli passport, and celebrate all the holidays but I was born in America. Do you think that that makes me less of Jew?