Having just read Ari Berman’s article (“American rabbis must step up and love Israel,” September 12), I feel I must respond. I was born and grew up in Newark and I am a regular reader of the New Jersey Jewish News. I have lived in Israel for the past 58 years. I or members of my immediate family have done and are still doing all the things that Mr. Berman suggests: volunteering, donating money and serving in the IDF and protecting our people.
Sadly, I no longer feel that we are “fighting for all Jews’ survival,” rather for the survival of one Jewish family. Moreover, it is impossible to maintain that we are fighting for all Jews’ survival when Jews all over the world are becoming more endangered with every passing day, largely as a result of Israel’s actions.
Mr. Berman states, “…but let’s not pretend that these American rabbis know better than the IDF or Israeli government how to make national security decisions…” I don’t know how much American rabbis know, but I most certainly hope that all our top military officers, including the Chief of Staff, do know what they are talking about when they say there is no reason to still be fighting in Gaza and that the only way to bring the hostages home is through an agreement. As to Israel’s government, well, the less said the better. It is a government whose only concern is its own survival regardless of the cost, morally, ethically, and economically. Sadly, we are seeing Israel becoming a pariah state rather than a light unto nations.
Moreover, Mr. Berman writes, “I don’t pretend that Israel is perfect, nor its current government, but that is beside the point.” Mr. Berman, that is the point! We are being led by a most imperfect leader, a cult hero, and a government consisting of totally incapable, anti-democratic yes men and women, or messianic lunatics.
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So, I am glad that American rabbis are stepping up and expressing their love of Israel. That is what they are doing.
Janet Goren
Israel
We Jews have been powerless and oppressed by others for so long that perhaps we have developed some bad habits. We have been told by those whom we respect that if we do not stand up for ourselves, who will? There are so many very laudatory things about Judaism and the State of Israel of which we can be very proud. So many of us have proudly trumpeted those wonderful things to the non-Jewish world. Almost like a proud parent. As we should. We have argued that, as the only true democracy in the Middle East, and as the only reliable ally to the United States in this troubled neighborhood Israel deserves some slack; some willingness to look past its blemishes when we are judging Israel’s balance sheet.
However, as we know if we’ve been privileged to be parents, only seeing the good and neglecting what needs correction is not good parenting. Neither is it good citizenship. Nor is it best if we see ourselves as being active parts of the “Jewish Nation.” The op-ed in your September 12 issue, “American rabbis need to step up and love Israel,” is a prime example of poor parenting, poor citizenship, and not taking mature responsibility for being part of the world-wide Jewish People.
Bragging about Israel is perfectly understandable and should be encouraged. But a mature relationship calls for a balance. If we do not chastise a child who has done wrong, we risk doing permanent damage to that child. Israel is a country living in a very dangerous neighborhood. It needs to be able to respond to some very evil neighbors who do some very evil things. Fortunately, it has that ability. That does not mean that it can use that license to respond to evil and can do no wrong when it does. Perhaps when a child is a defenseless infant, it cannot withstand harsh criticism. But when that child grows up and becomes one of the strongest and most powerful players in its neighborhood, it merits praise when it does good and reprimand when it does not.
Rabbis who are told to lavish praise on their favorite child, no matter what, will lose all credibility with their flock. Maybe that is what some want of their rabbis. But not me. I do not see my rabbi as a cheerleader but as a sage and a teacher. I can only respect and learn from a rabbi’s wisdom if I trust his or her honesty.
I hope that I will always love my delinquent child. But I hope I will not love the delinquent things they might do.
Phil Kruger
Montville
We are two neighbors who independently attended the official Teaneck 9/11 commemoration, which is observed annually on this day at 8:40 a.m., when the first plane hit the WTC tower.
It was striking how few Teaneck residents attended this brief, moving 25-minute ceremony. Clearly noticeable among the attendees:
* There were fewer attendees (perhaps 30) than there were township officials and the courageous, proud first responders standing at attention the entire time.
* Virtually no youth/young adults/professionals appeared to have attended.
* Virtually all were retirees and/or senior citizens.
The township listed this event on its website’s “Alerts” (which anyone can sign up for); it was also posted on the Teaneck Facebook page. Perhaps the township should consider advertising in local papers as well. (Yes, many people still read the papers!) Even physical flyers throughout the town would be an excellent way of raising awareness.
Although this event took place on a weekday morning and may be inaccessible for individuals commuting, many people work remotely and have a flexible schedule. These young professionals could most likely afford a 30-minute break to attend such a meaningful ceremony.
We have several high schools — both public and Jewish — in the area. Obviously, students should be in school at 8:40, but we would suggest that schools consider sending a small delegation of students as representatives. How meaningful that would be for students — who were born long after this horrendous day in American/local history — to participate in, and learn from, this historic moment?
The 9/11 commemoration is an opportunity to mourn and remember those Teaneck residents tragically lost on that day, as well as to celebrate our mutual respect for our fellow citizens in Teaneck and across our country. Let’s show proper deference to them by having more Teaneck residents attend this ceremony in the future.
Read more on njjewishnews.timesofisrael.com
