David Bernstein, Founder and CEO of Jewish Institute for Liberal Values, speaks about his new book and about how woke ideology could become a national security issue for Israel.
This discussion was thoroughly depressing. These feelings only increase when I think of companion interviews from this podcast with Dr. Dara Horn, and Dr. Rachel Fish (August 24). The net of all of this reflects what I have been thinking for several years: antisemitism from the far Left is far more dangerous to American Jews than that experienced from the far Right. Horn differentiates between “Purim Antisemites” and “Chanukah Antisemites.” The former wish only to kill Jews. While not blasé about this, it is a one and done for each act. The latter group want to destroy Judaism and its geographic heart and soul, Israel. For me, the Chanukah Antisemites inhabit the Left, and are far more influential, and far more dangerous. Exacerbating all of this is the attitude of the Jews in the USA. They are secular liberals (as I will broad brush most of the community-with minor apologies), and well-integrated into the greater liberal community. This is why the woke community is turning on them first, and applying great pressure on them to abandon Israel. If Judaism is to thrive in the USA, and I have grave doubts about it, there needs to be a common recognition of the problem between the liberal and religious Jewish communities and a common, vigorous, and long-lasting campaign of opposition. As much as I may care for the future of the American Jewish community, I care several quantum levels more about the Jewish State of Israel. To the extent Mr. Bernstein is correct, and the Democratic Party is morphing away from supporting Israel, we become an additional front line in this battle. PS: The USA needs a strong Israel. The other two choices are ceding the Middle East to an Iranian hegemony, or stationing 100,000 troops or so somewhere in the Middle East, at a cost of at least $10 billion annually. The Democratic Party might be too “ideology over intellect” to realize this, making the danger even greater. I need a drink.
Interesting conversation with some worrisome concerns, however, I would have liked a discussion of the impact of the likely coalition Israeli government that may include a racist Kahane acolyte in the cabinet. An Israel that skews so heavily to the right will only exacerbate the situation for American Jews and their support for Israel.
The best interview on this most important topic I have read. Thank you
This discussion was thoroughly depressing. These feelings only increase when I think of companion interviews from this podcast with Dr. Dara Horn, and Dr. Rachel Fish (August 24). The net of all of this reflects what I have been thinking for several years: antisemitism from the far Left is far more dangerous to American Jews than that experienced from the far Right. Horn differentiates between “Purim Antisemites” and “Chanukah Antisemites.” The former wish only to kill Jews. While not blasé about this, it is a one and done for each act. The latter group want to destroy Judaism and its geographic heart and soul, Israel. For me, the Chanukah Antisemites inhabit the Left, and are far more influential, and far more dangerous. Exacerbating all of this is the attitude of the Jews in the USA. They are secular liberals (as I will broad brush most of the community-with minor apologies), and well-integrated into the greater liberal community. This is why the woke community is turning on them first, and applying great pressure on them to abandon Israel. If Judaism is to thrive in the USA, and I have grave doubts about it, there needs to be a common recognition of the problem between the liberal and religious Jewish communities and a common, vigorous, and long-lasting campaign of opposition. As much as I may care for the future of the American Jewish community, I care several quantum levels more about the Jewish State of Israel. To the extent Mr. Bernstein is correct, and the Democratic Party is morphing away from supporting Israel, we become an additional front line in this battle. PS: The USA needs a strong Israel. The other two choices are ceding the Middle East to an Iranian hegemony, or stationing 100,000 troops or so somewhere in the Middle East, at a cost of at least $10 billion annually. The Democratic Party might be too “ideology over intellect” to realize this, making the danger even greater. I need a drink.
Interesting conversation with some worrisome concerns, however, I would have liked a discussion of the impact of the likely coalition Israeli government that may include a racist Kahane acolyte in the cabinet. An Israel that skews so heavily to the right will only exacerbate the situation for American Jews and their support for Israel.
FYI. I went to a bathroom on Kvish 6 at one of the gas and food stops. There was only one bathroom used simultaneously by men and women.