care for themselves. They may be Jewish in some way, but it isn't my way. So, if they are Jewish, I am not. I am an Israeli, not Jewish, and I don't wish to have anything to do with them.

It seems that you have what you want. You are in California, and you are calling yourself Israeli, but not Jewish. I don't see what you have to do with the Orthodox Israelis in Israel. They are not bothering you and you are not bothering them. You're about 7500 miles away from them.

Years back I attended the annual Siyum Mishnayos of Pirchei Agudath Israel of Europe. Every seat in several carriages of the train from London had a card saying 'reserved for Pirchim. British Rail wishes you a Happy Christmas.' At the major event at Newcastle Civic Centre there was a two story Christmas tree. The Pirchim Siyum had begun to keep boys occupied over the Christms break, so we saw the irony.

The ultra orthodox are not helping Israel. They refuse to join the IDF and to not adhere to GOD's command that every male should be in the army to defend Israel. It is only the High Priest that do not join the army. With so many orthodox who have turned Judaism into a cult - they are hurting the Jewish community more than they know. As for assimilation - it is not going to stop. You are living in America who do you expect?