Jeremy Ben Ami’s position is right for him, his organization and for Israel.
He is not your problem. Your problem is people like me, mostly young but not all (obviously not me!) who don’t care whether we are deemed pro Israel or anti. We are off the reservation although most young Jews were never on it.
I was a true Israel lover until 2000. Since then, not even close. I’ll probably not be alive when Israel changes into a country I can support again because I’m 77. But I don’t expect it to change ever. Except for the worse.
I obviously fully-acknowledge the various problems both within Israel, between Israel and the broader world,between Israel World Jewry and especially among younger American Jews. And the broader American public.
My feelings about and concern for Israel remain. And also I continue to see the need for Israel as a Jewish State. Now more than ever (even if I appreciate certain Israeli actions - which may be necessary - do have an impact for World Jewry.) But you see the antisemites in America who have mass social media followings.
And I do feel a genuine sense of sorrow, when Jews are not pro-Israel or Zionists. (Or pro-AIPAC!) It's not something you can condemn per se. It just is. And of course that hopefully that will change. But perhaps it won't!
But I absolutely do miss the days when it was pretty much the case that if you were a Jew; you were a Zionist. It was a no-brainer. And if you weren't an activist; you at least had a sympathy for Israel and the hope that it would flourish (and make the dessert bloom) And I remember the Kosher restaurant in London where my Grandfather had lunch almost every day; there were giant photos of Ben-Gurion, Dayan, Golda, etc on the walls.
I acknowledge "flaws" there and of course here. But for me at least; that hasn't changed my ultimate feeling. More another time
I disagree on all points. I am no longer a Zionist and regret my decades of identification with that movement which I think has been destructive in ways to numerous to mention. I like your recollection of that restaurant of the deli. I love Yiddishkeit and all aspects of it except going to synagogue (yawn) and nationalism. And the giant Herzl poster I stole off a wall in Tel Aviv in
Jeremy Ben Ami’s position is right for him, his organization and for Israel.
He is not your problem. Your problem is people like me, mostly young but not all (obviously not me!) who don’t care whether we are deemed pro Israel or anti. We are off the reservation although most young Jews were never on it.
I was a true Israel lover until 2000. Since then, not even close. I’ll probably not be alive when Israel changes into a country I can support again because I’m 77. But I don’t expect it to change ever. Except for the worse.
I obviously fully-acknowledge the various problems both within Israel, between Israel and the broader world,between Israel World Jewry and especially among younger American Jews. And the broader American public.
My feelings about and concern for Israel remain. And also I continue to see the need for Israel as a Jewish State. Now more than ever (even if I appreciate certain Israeli actions - which may be necessary - do have an impact for World Jewry.) But you see the antisemites in America who have mass social media followings.
And I do feel a genuine sense of sorrow, when Jews are not pro-Israel or Zionists. (Or pro-AIPAC!) It's not something you can condemn per se. It just is. And of course that hopefully that will change. But perhaps it won't!
But I absolutely do miss the days when it was pretty much the case that if you were a Jew; you were a Zionist. It was a no-brainer. And if you weren't an activist; you at least had a sympathy for Israel and the hope that it would flourish (and make the dessert bloom) And I remember the Kosher restaurant in London where my Grandfather had lunch almost every day; there were giant photos of Ben-Gurion, Dayan, Golda, etc on the walls.
I acknowledge "flaws" there and of course here. But for me at least; that hasn't changed my ultimate feeling. More another time
I disagree on all points. I am no longer a Zionist and regret my decades of identification with that movement which I think has been destructive in ways to numerous to mention. I like your recollection of that restaurant of the deli. I love Yiddishkeit and all aspects of it except going to synagogue (yawn) and nationalism. And the giant Herzl poster I stole off a wall in Tel Aviv in
1971 still adorns my living room.