As a child visiting his grandparents in Tel-Aviv for the first time in 1947, I am one of those who, accompanying my mother on several such visits to her parents over the years, was privileged and, yes, amazed at the point to which Israel has come. I know the concept of the "New Jew" was the standard motto of the founding Ashkenazy Jews (to which my family belonged). I think that concept has changed over the years with the addition, to the population of Israel, of most of the groups to which you referred in your talk.
It has been said that every Jew in Israel sits somewhere on the spectrum of the Jewish religion. From Ultra Orthodox to "Traditional", a case can be made that a significant majority of Israel's Jews have a devotion to their faith and traditions because these were the particularistic aspects of the Jews that enabled our survival during millennia when other Peoples and nations became extinct. The image of the "cowering Jew," which you referenced in your presentation, was indeed the image the "New Jew" was to supplant. But what has instead been substituted, as icons to emulate, have been the heroes and giants in Tanach and Jewish history. No where can this be more effectively demonstrated than among the combat units and rising officer corps of the IDF.
One last point: How I wish we could ignore all those pesky items while concentrating on the fabulous achievements of Israel. Except for Iran, it may be possible. Iran, however, truly stands as the one very real threat to the existence of Israel and to all Israel has achieved. Let us never, ever lose sight of that fact until the day that evil entity is confronted and defeated.
Finally, as always, it is a pleasure listening to, or reading, your Substack presentations.
Steven Orlow
PS (sorry): Best article I have read regarding the Israeli Supreme Court controversy: WSJ of 2/27/23, Commentary by Michael Mukasey (former U.S. Attorney General). A MUST read ( I practiced law over 50 years). An excellent comparison of the US vs. Israel situations.
As a child visiting his grandparents in Tel-Aviv for the first time in 1947, I am one of those who, accompanying my mother on several such visits to her parents over the years, was privileged and, yes, amazed at the point to which Israel has come. I know the concept of the "New Jew" was the standard motto of the founding Ashkenazy Jews (to which my family belonged). I think that concept has changed over the years with the addition, to the population of Israel, of most of the groups to which you referred in your talk.
It has been said that every Jew in Israel sits somewhere on the spectrum of the Jewish religion. From Ultra Orthodox to "Traditional", a case can be made that a significant majority of Israel's Jews have a devotion to their faith and traditions because these were the particularistic aspects of the Jews that enabled our survival during millennia when other Peoples and nations became extinct. The image of the "cowering Jew," which you referenced in your presentation, was indeed the image the "New Jew" was to supplant. But what has instead been substituted, as icons to emulate, have been the heroes and giants in Tanach and Jewish history. No where can this be more effectively demonstrated than among the combat units and rising officer corps of the IDF.
One last point: How I wish we could ignore all those pesky items while concentrating on the fabulous achievements of Israel. Except for Iran, it may be possible. Iran, however, truly stands as the one very real threat to the existence of Israel and to all Israel has achieved. Let us never, ever lose sight of that fact until the day that evil entity is confronted and defeated.
Finally, as always, it is a pleasure listening to, or reading, your Substack presentations.
Steven Orlow
PS (sorry): Best article I have read regarding the Israeli Supreme Court controversy: WSJ of 2/27/23, Commentary by Michael Mukasey (former U.S. Attorney General). A MUST read ( I practiced law over 50 years). An excellent comparison of the US vs. Israel situations.
It is now one day after the Monday Rally. You have moved me from tears of fear to tears of joy and hope. Thank You. Jan Gaines, Netanya
Wise words about the importance of remembering history. Thank you for sharing.
In the US, one of many things that worries me about Americans' grasp of history is most young Americans don't know six million died in the Holocaust.
Please prove a link to the text. Podcasts take too much time. Stan
I’m trying to subscribe but it wont let me because of a postal code and i dont know how to change it.
Rosalie Alter