Comments on: Fighting for Democracy and Pluralism in the Jewish World http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/ blog of the American Jewish Committee. Articles on Jewish life, current events, and Israel. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:42:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Rabbi Michael Boyden http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-365 Rabbi Michael Boyden Thu, 10 May 2007 11:25:26 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-365 I should like to thank all of those who have written to express their feelings about the ugly manner in which the invitation to me to recite the memorial prayer on Yom HaZikaron was withdrawn. Irrespective of our views, we need always to remind ourselves, particularly at this time of the Counting of the Omer, of the statement in the Talmud (Yevamot 62b)that Rabbi Akiba's students died at the time of the Bar Kochva revolt because they did not respect one another. I should like to thank all of those who have written to express their feelings about the ugly manner in which the invitation to me to recite the memorial prayer on Yom HaZikaron was withdrawn.

Irrespective of our views, we need always to remind ourselves, particularly at this time of the Counting of the Omer, of the statement in the Talmud (Yevamot 62b)that Rabbi Akiba’s students died at the time of the Bar Kochva revolt because they did not respect one another.

]]> By: Alex Weisskopf, MD http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-364 Alex Weisskopf, MD Tue, 01 May 2007 03:19:34 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-364 I am not surprised. The orthodox rabbis that I remember as a child in NY were exactly as these "modern" ones. Anyone who strayed from THEIR fold was not a real Jew. To counter this my donations to Israel have always been to non-religious organizations. I consider the Orthodox rabbi to be equal to the True Muslim who state that their God is the only real God. Sad state of affairs but we must remember that religion has killed more people on this planet than Evil. I am not surprised. The orthodox rabbis that I remember as a child in NY were exactly as these “modern” ones. Anyone who strayed from THEIR fold was not a real Jew.

To counter this my donations to Israel have always been to non-religious organizations. I consider the Orthodox rabbi to be equal to the True Muslim who state that their God is the only real God.

Sad state of affairs but we must remember that religion has killed more people on this planet than Evil.

]]> By: Liz Wagner http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-361 Liz Wagner Sat, 28 Apr 2007 17:07:44 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-361 In ancient Israel, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes clashed in their views of Jewish life, and living, in general. Of the three groups, the Pharisees believed the traditions they added to the written law were equal in authority to it, much like the Orthodox claim, today. Orthodox/fundamentalist practitioners of all religions and philosophies always claim theirs is the "true" way, and any other way is invalid. Even when they themselves stray from strict, original practice (like passing judgment on who is, or is not, a rabbi), they find ways to justify their actions by reinforcing their authority and negating others'. There's no question, the Orthodox are threatened by the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel and the potential loss of Orthodox power that could eventually result. But the Orthodox are upset about something else, too. At this terribly difficult time for Israel, Reform Jews need to at least consider the possibility, that peace with the Palestinians is unrealistic, and that giving credence to the pretense that Israel is getting peace in exchange for land concessions is downright dangerous and should be discontinued. Compromise is needed on both sides. The Orthodox claim to being a "higher" or more valid authority on who is a rabbi, or who is a Jew, rests on nothing more than stark prejudice and xenophobia. The state of denial the Reform maintain withe regard to Israel's fatally precarious position today is self-serving and frightening in its degree of departure from reality. It's time we ALL start looking at ourselves and asking how can we save Israel, now. The rest of this can wait. In ancient Israel, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes clashed in their views of Jewish life, and living, in general. Of the three groups, the Pharisees believed the traditions they added to the written law were equal in authority to it, much like the Orthodox claim, today.

Orthodox/fundamentalist practitioners of all religions and philosophies always claim theirs is the “true” way, and any other way is invalid. Even when they themselves stray from strict, original practice (like passing judgment on who is, or is not, a rabbi), they find ways to justify their actions by reinforcing their authority and negating others’.

There’s no question, the Orthodox are threatened by the growth of Reform Judaism in Israel and the potential loss of Orthodox power that could eventually result. But the Orthodox are upset about something else, too.

At this terribly difficult time for Israel, Reform Jews need to at least consider the possibility, that peace with the Palestinians is unrealistic, and that giving credence to the pretense that Israel is getting peace in exchange for land concessions is downright dangerous and should be discontinued.

Compromise is needed on both sides. The Orthodox claim to being a “higher” or more valid authority on who is a rabbi, or who is a Jew, rests on nothing more than stark prejudice and xenophobia. The state of denial the Reform maintain withe regard to Israel’s fatally precarious position today is self-serving and frightening in its degree of departure from reality.

It’s time we ALL start looking at ourselves and asking how can we save Israel, now. The rest of this can wait.

]]> By: lillian hecker http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-353 lillian hecker Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:26:40 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-353 When Rabbi Micky Borden's son died in defending the state and people of Israel, did he die as a Reform/Reconstructionist/Conservative/Orthodox/Sectarian Jew? What part of his death cannot be understood by every Israeli of every spiritual persuasion? When Israelis honor their dead, do they separate them into the above categories and only honor those of their particular stripe? It is a desecration to the dead to think that Hashem only hears "certain" prayers from "certain" lips. Our Creator is bigger than the pettifoggers who invoke His name as a way to humiliate everyone else. Rabbi Borden's prayers go to the came ears regardless of those who wish to silence him. I praise Rabbi Borden's sacrifice and the sacrifice of all those who honor Israel and God's name. We do not need more enemies and divisions within. There are enough who wish us divided and weak. When Rabbi Micky Borden’s son died in defending the state and people of Israel, did he die as a Reform/Reconstructionist/Conservative/Orthodox/Sectarian Jew? What part of his death cannot be understood by every Israeli of every spiritual persuasion? When Israelis honor their dead, do they separate them into the above categories and only honor those of their particular stripe? It is a desecration to the dead to think that Hashem only hears “certain” prayers from “certain” lips. Our Creator is bigger than the pettifoggers who invoke His name as a way to humiliate everyone else. Rabbi Borden’s prayers go to the came ears regardless of those who wish to silence him. I praise Rabbi Borden’s sacrifice and the sacrifice of all those who honor Israel and God’s name. We do not need more enemies and divisions within. There are enough who wish us divided and weak.

]]> By: Muriel Goldhammer http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-352 Muriel Goldhammer Sat, 28 Apr 2007 09:35:32 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-352 I am greatly offended. I was raised as a Reform Jew, now attend a Masorti (Conservative) congregation in Kfar Sava, the town adjacent to Hod Hasharon in Israel. I'm not a marcher, but I'm ready to join other Israelis in protest against this continuing bigotry. It would be nice to see hometown on this blog. I am greatly offended. I was raised as a Reform Jew, now attend a Masorti (Conservative) congregation in Kfar Sava, the town adjacent to Hod Hasharon in Israel.

I’m not a marcher, but I’m ready to join other Israelis in protest against this continuing bigotry.

It would be nice to see hometown on this blog.

]]> By: Simon http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-351 Simon Sat, 28 Apr 2007 08:33:55 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-351 I suggest that Israel be left for those who can show the values of the original Jew if this be Orthodox ok. The reformed Jew and the rest are fit for the outside world, call it Europe or America or the rest. The flavor of Israel as a separate people from the rest of us should remain and that is our desire. The constitution of Israel should remain in the hands of the true Jews, those who wait on the promises of God but not those who have allowed for reformation of the same to squeeze in their likes. My opinion. I suggest that Israel be left for those who can show the values of the original Jew if this be Orthodox ok. The reformed Jew and the rest are fit for the outside world, call it Europe or America or the rest. The flavor of Israel as a separate people from the rest of us should remain and that is our desire. The constitution of Israel should remain in the hands of the true Jews, those who wait on the promises of God but not those who have allowed for reformation of the same to squeeze in their likes. My opinion.

]]> By: Efrona Mor http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-350 Efrona Mor Sat, 28 Apr 2007 07:12:45 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-350 For the Jewish leaders or anyone to participate in allowing ultimatums to be given to a Rabbi because he’s Reform is just wrong. We live in a world that doesn’t appear to learn from its past mistakes, we are all equal, and until that idea is respected by all we will live in continued abuse, we as a nation of Jewish people (Israel), unfortunately are not at that awakening level, so in our modern time, these Orthodox leaders push their beliefs on the whole nation of Israel here and abroad, they degrade anyone who doesn’t conform to their ways and have shown little respect for what others value if it doesn’t conform to the orthodox rules. I came to this country to find freedom as a Jew and discovered a world of violent Black and White, not a united Jewish Blue and White. (blue and white in Israel is symbol of things made here, the sprit of uniting together) Yes I know by law in Israel the Orthodox have the upper hand, but they hold it because the people have yet to take it away from them. Times, however, are slowly changing. Thank God. So to Rabbi Micky Boyden, I say, “I’m sorry you had to deal with such ignorance, but I’m happy you tried”, and one day may we as Jews and just people unite by ridding our lives of this kind of cruel sad ignorance, to find ourselves finally free of what we complain about yet do ourselves to each other. For the Jewish leaders or anyone to participate in allowing ultimatums to be given to a Rabbi because he’s Reform is just wrong.
We live in a world that doesn’t appear to learn from its past mistakes, we are all equal, and until that idea is respected by all we will live in continued abuse, we as a nation of Jewish people (Israel), unfortunately are not at that awakening level, so in our modern time, these Orthodox leaders push their beliefs on the whole nation of Israel here and abroad, they degrade anyone who doesn’t conform to their ways and have shown little respect for what others value if it doesn’t conform to the orthodox rules. I came to this country to find freedom as a Jew and discovered a world of violent Black and White, not a united Jewish Blue and White. (blue and white in Israel is symbol of things made here, the sprit of uniting together) Yes I know by law in Israel the Orthodox have the upper hand, but they hold it because the people have yet to take it away from them. Times, however, are slowly changing. Thank God.
So to Rabbi Micky Boyden, I say, “I’m sorry you had to deal with such ignorance, but I’m happy you tried”, and one day may we as Jews and just people unite by ridding our lives of this kind of cruel sad ignorance, to find ourselves finally free of what we complain about yet do ourselves to each other.

]]> By: Chris Rushlau http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-363 Chris Rushlau Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:42:04 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-363 "A house divided against itself cannot stand." One argument, perhaps the best, all things considered, for pluralism--now that I am about to say it I remember reading it in a bit of the Federalist Papers from the time the US Constitution was being debated--is that if the State wants to have an official orthodoxy, which one will you choose? It would be easier, also, to have some more tolerance for varying views of Jewish legitimacy in Israel if you had more tolerance for non-Jewish legitimacy. Being another "younger sibling" of Judiasm myself, my idea of Judaism is, pardon my Yiddish, "being a mensch", and for me that category is open to anybody who wants to belong. What else? Are you going to test DNA for righteousness? “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” One argument, perhaps the best, all things considered, for pluralism–now that I am about to say it I remember reading it in a bit of the Federalist Papers from the time the US Constitution was being debated–is that if the State wants to have an official orthodoxy, which one will you choose?
It would be easier, also, to have some more tolerance for varying views of Jewish legitimacy in Israel if you had more tolerance for non-Jewish legitimacy. Being another “younger sibling” of Judiasm myself, my idea of Judaism is, pardon my Yiddish, “being a mensch”, and for me that category is open to anybody who wants to belong. What else? Are you going to test DNA for righteousness?

]]> By: Harry J. Reidler http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-362 Harry J. Reidler Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:39:20 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-362 As an orthodox (I prefer “observant”) Jew, I am utterly appalled by the ultimatum given to Rabbi Micky Boyden. It will not increase the level of orthodox observance by Israeli Jews; it will not bring peace among Jews any closer; it will not bring peace between Gentiles and Jews any closer. Our prayers include the weekly claim that Torah Scholars bring peace to the world. We should focus on our duty toward that goal by welcoming dialogue, not ultimatums. As an orthodox (I prefer “observant”) Jew, I am utterly appalled by the ultimatum given to Rabbi Micky Boyden. It will not increase the level of orthodox observance by Israeli Jews; it will not bring peace among Jews any closer; it will not bring peace between Gentiles and Jews any closer. Our prayers include the weekly claim that Torah Scholars bring peace to the world. We should focus on our duty toward that goal by welcoming dialogue, not ultimatums.

]]> By: GT http://ajcwire.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-360 GT Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:08:00 +0000 http://ajcblog.org/2007/04/26/fighting-for-democracy-and-pluralism-in-the-jewish-world/#comment-360 The liberal Jewish movements have taught ideas that are heretical to traditional Judaism, e.g. to disregard halacha (Jewish Law), and to negate the divine authorship and historicity of Torah. That is why the Orthodox do not "recognize" these movements. Rather than argue the merits of Reform Judaism, Mr. Rettig simply decries the intolerance. He argues for exporting American style pluralism and a cculture that supports the notion of "have it your way" to quote an old fast food commercial. Yes, in America all religious expression is afforded equal protection under the U.S. Constitution, and we have church/state separation. Not so in Israel, where there is no equal protection and church/state separation. By law the Orthodox Rabbinate in Israel has effective control of religous affairs and varous public/governmental functions. Also, in Israel the Orthodox rabbinate has a large (albeit minority) following and the religous parties are a force in the government. We don't have an analog to this in the U.S., where Orthodox Jews make up maybe around one-half of one percent of the population. To my knowlege, Judaism has never argued for pluralism, although many American Jews do. This may be the real source of the disunity. GT New Jersey The liberal Jewish movements have taught ideas that are heretical to traditional Judaism, e.g. to disregard halacha (Jewish Law), and to negate the divine authorship and historicity of Torah. That is why the Orthodox do not “recognize” these movements.

Rather than argue the merits of Reform Judaism, Mr. Rettig simply decries the intolerance. He argues for exporting American style pluralism and a cculture that supports the notion of “have it your way” to quote an old fast food commercial.

Yes, in America all religious expression is afforded equal protection under the U.S. Constitution, and we have church/state separation. Not so in Israel, where there is no equal protection and church/state separation.

By law the Orthodox Rabbinate in Israel has effective control of religous affairs and varous public/governmental functions. Also, in Israel the Orthodox rabbinate has a large (albeit minority) following and the religous parties are a force in the government. We don’t have an analog to this in the U.S., where Orthodox Jews make up maybe around one-half of one percent of the population.

To my knowlege, Judaism has never argued for pluralism, although many American Jews do. This may be the real source of the disunity.

GT
New Jersey

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