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Israel reaches out to save US Jewish community
Associated Press
Published: 16.12.13, 21:07
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28 Talkbacks for this article
1. israel has her needs
israeli paratrooper   (12.16.13)
to all our brethren in america , we understand your sensibilities . however , unlike you , we live in a very dangerous area of the world . out neighbors have always refused and continue to refuse our existence as a jewish state . stemming from this fact , israel has had to take certain actions like the security wall around the west bank . As for the settlements , i am afraid it is part of our historic land that they are built on . if you do not acknowledge that judea and samaria are part of israel , maybe you have no business being jews in the first place . judaism cannot be bent and twisted to suit sensibilities.
2. The American Jewish community is on a fast track to oblivion
Al   (12.16.13)
Lets tell the truth here. Were they poor shnooks no one I repeat no one would give them a second thought. As it is they are disappearing at an alarming rate due to low birth rates, intermarriage and non marriage. They would like you to believe that were Israel so not in your face..IE ready to give up its country to the Arabs, then their situation in America would be that much better. So they demand of Israel to lay down and die so as to secure their own lives in America. As such nothing will stop their precipitous decline in the Jewish world. They along with countless other communities of the past were lost due to the ravages of the golus. As for the Jewish American ultra orthodox. They are nothing more than impostors, who because of their selfish myopic motivations, bring precious little to the table. Were they truly frum as they purport to say, they would up and leave the golus. The only future for the Jew today is Israel. That Jew is a proud Jew who understands that Israel is not only a country but constitutes the very essence of the Jewish people.
3. Enough about Israel! It's time to focus on the Diaspora
David ,   Stockholm, Sweden   (12.16.13)
Israel is doing fine. Yes, it has problems in the international arena but it has never been safer militarily and stronger economically. The diaspora, at least the non-Orthodox part of it, is falling apart. 72% of all non-Orthodox Jews in America who are now married are married to a Gentile. This is a silent Holocaust. The overpaid machers of the Jewish community have focused too much on Israel, letting the house back on the firm to go up in flames. We must stop the fire from spreading into the entire village or the only Jews left will be ultra-Orthodox, who are economically poor and who are often ignorant in the most basic of skills(english, math).
4. Want to save American Jewry?
manicdrummer ,   Haifa, Israel   (12.16.13)
Forget it! Just tell them to move to Israel, where we can all be Jewish and not struggle for acceptance from Gentiles.
5. American Jews cannot be saved
C   (12.16.13)
they are spoiled, ignorant, wealthy and scared.
6. Israeli is for Israelis
Donna ,   US   (12.16.13)
I noticed Birthright funding is now tied to Yeshiva funding. The message is clear. Israel is for Israelis, not Jewish people. There is no way to employ all of us, anyway. Forgive my pessimism; it is a gloomy over cast sky day.
7. let the American Jews disappear
(12.16.13)
It will be no great loss.these people are Obama's most loyal followers.
8. Great miss
Mikhael Izsak-Dicker ,   Israel   (12.16.13)
The most idiotic statement coming out of Israel since 1948: "There is a broad consensus that Israel will be an important player in solving the problems of American Jewry." American or European Jewry) have not even 10% of the problems of Israeli "Jewry". BTW: What's the "problem of American Jewry"? According to the unwanted "savers" it's the shift from Jewrist and Zionist mindset towards American identity and NATIONAL loyality. Certainly an alarm signal for the national power center and institutions that have steered Pollard...
9. The jews in the dispora will
arne ,   chicago usa   (12.16.13)
slowly fade away until something happens to reinvigorate what's left of them,In time those that remain will want to come "home" and that's why Israel must make room for them now.That's why those of us who understand must support Israel to it's fullest now!
10. this meeting has nothing to do with "saving american jews"
david ,   new york   (12.16.13)
it has everything to do with trying to banish religion from israel: why all that drivel about "american jews" supposedly being disenchanted with israel due to the more religous nature of israel. - what a joke! 1. most jews in america know nothing about israel, never were there and never intend to go, so how can they be upset by something they never experienced 2. most american jews are secular and so even reform (and its homosexual "rabbis") are too religious for them, so orthodox and reform is not much of a difference for them 3. orthodox jews are growing, strongly identified and connected with israel (even the haredi are). its a little odd that people supposedly representing "american jews" seem to not have any orthodox amoung them
11. #2: "truly frum" must go to israel??
david ,   new york   (12.16.13)
i beg to differ: as an orthodox jew living in america, i have a very strong connection to israel (i have been there about 2 dozen times), but judaism is not about simple nationalism. many (most) israeli dati leumi think judaism is about serving in the israeli army and watching the most recent episode of kochav nolad. they dont know what it is to have a jewish identity. this is evidenced by the fact that as soon as they step off the elal plane here they strart to lose their judaism:. the jewish world has been international for the past 2500 years and it is this (and the hand of G-d)saved us from extinction when we could no longer live in our homeland. the jews in israel are under serious threats (both physician and spiritiual) and a growing religious american culture is vital.
12. American Jews are nudnkis
ASTRONAUT ,   SC, USA   (12.16.13)
In my 62 years I've lived from New York to California, from Florida to Maine - and every "Jewish community" temple, shul, [Reform especially] are so concerned about "what is acceptable to the goyim" that they deny their Jewish roots.
13. saved from what?!
American ,   USA   (12.17.13)
We americans need to be saved from israel! Fed with israel (low case on purpose). We are doing great here, you israelis on the other hand wine and bitch. No more support of any kind for israel. Stand on you own feet or disappear, don't care either way.
14. I agree, manicdrummer!
milwaukeebroad ,   Haifa   (12.16.13)
I think ALL Diaspora Jews should decide soon how much being Jewish means to them. The state of world affairs is changing in a way that is not favorable to Jews and Israel. Sooner or later, they'll have to make a decision. I moved here from North America with my husband and our two kids and today we can't imagine why it took us so long. We're here to stay. And we invite other diaspora Jews to move here ASAP.
15. !7% support Israel in Judea and Samaria
avi ,   nyc   (12.17.13)
the percent may not be correct, but they are the ones having Jewish babies and grandkids, not the ones intermarrying into WASP heaven
16. Volunteers War of Independance
Zechariah   (12.17.13)
How many US Jews volunteered to fight in the war of independance after the Shoah .How many Jews were involved in Rescue Efforts for Eastern European Jewry.Quite a Few Nobel Souls but not everyone has the Capacity .On the second level Golda Meir Raised 48 million Dollars to help an Independant state so people gave .We have to remember in the Haggadah not every son is Righteous .As for an Independant Palestinian state that went out in 1937 when any idea of giving the Jews in an even sliver of mandated Palestine was rejectedc. And again Post Shoah there was a chance in the UN 1947 partition plan.hhhhh
17. Not while the frumma are in charge...
Seth ,   Boston, USA   (12.17.13)
Let me see - I can live as much or as little of a Jewish life here in the US as I please and be left in peace as a citizen or my family and I can go to Israel and be subject to the scrutiny of some black-hat rebbe who'll decide whether we're Jewish enough to immigrate and whether my granddaughters are Jewish enough to be married in the country. We attend a Reform congregation here in Massachusetts where there's a great sense of community and much Jewish feeling. Much better to stick with that than to have some frumma hypocrite pass judgment on us, all else aside.
18. American Jews' interest is transforming U.S.
Tom W ,   USA   (12.17.13)
American Jews using their enormous leverage in media, finances, culture to transform America to their Utopian Marxist vision. Scientifically called "The New Left" - a.k.a. Cultural Marxism. In no country leftist Jew worked on the improvement of the their fellow Jews' life, instead, they wanted to transform the host goyim nations to fit their minority, radical ideology. American Jews are no exception: now in the shadow of their leader "O" doing their best to reconstruct America to the image they imported from E.Europe/Russia during the Bolshevik revolution.
19. American Jews don't want to be saved
BH ,   Iowa   (12.17.13)
We have abortion, gay marriage, and The Messiah (PBUH) in the White House! Things couldn't be better!
20. Ignoring the elephant
Neal ,   Minneapolis, USA   (12.17.13)
A conference about how Israel can "save" U.S. Jews that doesn't discuss the effect of Israel's policies and behavior on U.S. Jews is ignoring the elephant in the middle of the room. I support the world's only Jewish state no matter what -- which does not mean I agree with all Israel's actions -- but as the AP story says, there are (misguided, holier-than-thou) Jews who don't think Israel deserves their support. I don't believe that Israel owes us galutniks a damn thing; it is hugely chuztapadik to think Israel should make decisions about its survival in order to please those who don't share its risks or problems. People who want to affect Israel's policies should move there, serve in the army, pay the high taxes. and vote. But a conference about U.S. Jews' attitudes cannot ignore the fact that for many left-leaning Jewish Jews, Israel's policies and actions do diminish support. Obviously, Jews have done a lousy job of explaining Israel's situation and of continuing to make our religion relevant to ourselves.
21. #4 Stupid!
AM ,   US   (12.17.13)
We have no problem in the USA. Why go to a 5th world country living off USA.
22. Jews have lived in Diaspora since Abraham'
Tarbouche ,   Aswan   (12.17.13)
Always proud of their heritage, kept in touch and yearned for the Land of Israel. We see a new phenomenon where those who lost touch with their roots become ashamed of them and want to distance themselves due to the anti Semitic propaganda Israel can not force them back to the fold, but can increase awareness and work to remove the barriers
23. Bibi needs to stop Iran first.!
Judah ,   Golan Heights,ISRAEL   (12.17.13)
Why would a family with small children make aliya from Canada or Australia ect. unless Bibi stops Iran? Although I am a Zionist and I would like to see all Jews make aliya , I am also a realist and if ALL Jews live in one country then a couple of nuclear bombs from Iran could wipe out the entire Jewish people. Unless Bibi stops Iran maybe its better that all the Jews are not congregated in one country.
24. @13 don't be so quick
Arizonan, USA ,   Arizona, USA   (12.17.13)
As God's hand has preserved the Jewish people in the Diaspora, the Scripture says he will drive you from the lands,country that you have become comfortable in back to your homeland Israel. A promise. Of course some Jews have settled in good countries and have good lives and feel connected to that nation. God knows this. He says he will allow and cause such resentment for his people in those lands that you will flee and have nowhere to go but Israel. Its happening in the EU and will come to America soon too. Don't think your so safe in the USA. One day it will be like Nazi Germany for both Christian and Jew.
25. Many American Jews Ignorant of the Conflict
Aharon   (12.17.13)
Most American Jews don't fully understand the issues of the conflict and mainly get their education on the issue through the news media, which bends the issue as a dispute between two opposed groups. They give the "palestinians" way too much validity, as does much of the world, and they don't realize that the conflict is not simply a debate on the existence of a "palestinian" state, but rather for the very existence of Israel. There are also American Jews who do know all the history, but many are liberal and want to believe that the "palestinians" are peaceful people so that it can fulfill their fantasy of creating peace. These people ignore the reality, even if they spend time in Israel.
26. Anyone remember that famous T-Shirt
Avi Israeli ,   Tel Aviv   (12.17.13)
...showing an IAF F-15 that read "Don't worry America, Israel will save you!" Well, someone took it seriously!
27. There should be no need for Israel to explain itself to any
tom ,   tel aviv   (12.17.13)
Jew anywhere in the world. That much is evident to me, but obviously not to most of American Jews that, let's face it: are suffering from the lobotomising effect of living there.
28. Stay Calm Don't Panic!
Gil ,   Tel Aviv   (12.17.13)
This piece is typical propaganda alarmist fodder from Bibi / Ynet shloch machine. The truth is that many American Jews DO follow Israel just that there's growing culture gaps between the Sabra / American mentality. Plus Jews marry out. Orthodox prejudice against Reform doesn't help matters. How about we focus on ramping up things like Taglit Birthright / introduce many more cultural exchanges aimed at educating and enthusing young American Jews but also young Jewish couples? And stop alienating those who do feel Jewish in their hearts but rejected because of a technicality (their mum converted under reform). By the way the above is my experience. I overcame the prejudice, made Aliya and married to a beautiful Israeli girl with a gorgeous daughter. So it is possible to get diaspora Jews back to Judaism just depends in the approach...
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