T. Belman. My take away is that people are happier and more prosperous when they live in a nation-state. Multiculturalism and diversity be damned.
The very existence of a Jewish state, whatever its flaws, is grounds for rejoicing.
In January 2017, the Ipsos Mori research company published a shocking poll headlined “Six in ten around the world think their society is ‘broken.’ ” Out of 23 countries surveyed—13 Western democracies and 10 non-Western democracies, most with relatively strong economies—only in six did a majority of respondents disagree with that statement.
Moreover, almost four in 10 respondents agreed another troubling claim: “These days I feel like a stranger in my own country.” Though the proportion topped 50 percent in only two countries, it exceeded a third in all but three.
Pollsters then asked several questions designed to elaborate on those general sentiments—some exploring trust in national institutions and others exploring attitudes toward immigration. Their theory was that low trust in institutions would correlate to high levels of belief that society was broken, while negative attitudes toward immigrants would correlate to high levels of feeling like a stranger in one’s own country. And there was, in fact, some correlation, albeit not perfect. Notably, countries with both high trust in institutions and low concern about immigration had among the fewest respondents saying either that society was broken or that they felt like strangers in their own land.
And then there was the one glaring exception: Israel.
A majority of Israeli respondents voiced little or no confidence in all seven categories of institutions—international institutions, banks, the justice system, big companies, the media, the government and political parties. In five of the seven categories, more than 70 percent did so. Israel was among the top 10 most distrustful countries in all but one category; in most, it was in the top six.
Yet when it came to the summary question of whether society was broken, Israel suddenly plummeted to the bottom of the negativity rankings, with only 32 percent of Israelis agreeing (Japan and India, at 31 percent and 32 percent, respectively, were in a statistical tie with Israel for the bottom slot).
The same thing happened on questions about immigration, which Israeli respondents almost certainly interpreted as referring to non-Jewish immigrants (the ostensibly neutral Hebrew word for immigration, hagira, is actually used only for non-Jews; Jewish immigration, for which Israeli support has traditionally been high, is called aliyah). Israel was among the six most immigrant-averse countries in all four categories: belief that employers should prioritize hiring locals over immigrants, concern about immigrants’ impact on social/public services, concern about their impact on jobs and opposition to uncontrolled immigration.
Yet when it came to the question about feeling like a stranger in your own country, Israel again suddenly plummeted to the bottom of the negativity rankings, with just 20 percent of Israelis agreeing. Only Japan, at 14 percent, was lower.
Two factors help explain Israel’s exceptionalism in this poll. One is simply that complaining is Israel’s national sport; Israelis routinely gripe about every aspect of their country. Many of those grievances relate to real problems. Nevertheless, the reality is rarely anywhere near as bad their complaints make it sound (a fact that American Jews, who often accept the Israeli left’s complaints at face value, should bear in mind).
Indeed, Israel’s flourishing economy, high standard of living, and high levels of both personal security and personal freedom are all testaments to the fact that its institutions aren’t nearly as dysfunctional as Israelis deemed them in this poll. Countries with truly dysfunctional institutions rarely score well on any of these fronts.
And despite their complaints, Israelis actually do know this. That’s why Israel consistently ranks as the 11th happiest country in the U.N.’s annual “World Happiness Report,” and why on overall assessments of the country—like whether society is broken or whether people feel like strangers in their own land—Israelis were far more upbeat than respondents in most other countries Ipsos Mori surveyed.
But there’s also a deeper reason. Israelis understand that there is only one Jewish state, and for all its flaws, its very existence is something precious and worth preserving. That’s why 90 percent of Israelis define themselves as Zionist. For Zionism, at bottom, is simply the belief that the Jewish people has a right to its own state, and that a Jewish state therefore ought to exist.
This has enabled Israel to escape one of the modern West’s besetting ills. In a world where elite opinion scorns both religion and the nation-state as anachronistic but has failed to provide any compelling source of identity to replace them, many Westerners have grown increasingly unsure of their identities. Hence, it’s no surprise that they feel like strangers in their own land—or as if their societies were broken.
Israelis, in contrast, are very confident of their identity: They are Jews living in the world’s only Jewish state. Thus, it’s impossible for most Israeli Jews to feel like strangers in their own country; this is the state created precisely so that all Jews, anywhere, will always have a home.
Similarly, it’s difficult for most to feel that their society is broken when, against all odds, it has not only successfully maintained the first Jewish state in two millennia, but also turned it, in 70 short years, into one of the world’s most thriving countries. Israel has successfully absorbed Jewish refugees from all over the world and continues to provide an insurance policy for Diaspora Jews nervous about their own countries’ future. It has built one of the world’s 20 wealthiest economies per capita. It has maintained a robust democracy despite being at war since its inception. And its growing economic, military and diplomatic clout led American analysts Walter Russell Mead and Sean Keeley to rank it last year as one of the world’s eight great powers.
Thus, despite arguing bitterly over what policies their country should pursue and complaining endlessly about its many shortcomings, Israelis are overwhelmingly glad that a Jewish state exists, and committed to both preserving and improving it. And that’s why most will be celebrating on Israeli Independence Day next week. Because the very existence of a Jewish state, whatever its flaws, is grounds for rejoicing—and all the more so when that state has so many real achievements to celebrate.
Evelyn Gordon is a journalist and commentator living in Israel.
@ Buzz of the Orient:
You didn’t get my drift. I don’t care about a Jews’ religiosity. It is immaterial to me. All I care about is the degree of their support for Israel. The same for anyone else. I would in no way see J Street followers as pro-Israel though they claim to be.
Not all people who support a two-state solution are pro-Israel. It depends on their motivation.
Certainly antisemites, Jewish or otherwise, are not supporters of Israel.
@ Ted Belman:
“I judge all Jews by their Zionist credentials and not by their religious label or practices.”
I can understand that, but even if they do not support either side of the confilct they can still be good Jews However, if they support any side against Israel other than being critical of such that truly deserves criticism (thinking of the Ottawa Protocol and Sharansky’s opinion of being anti-Israel is being anti-Semitic), then they are not worthy of being Jews. Remember that nothing is perfect, and one of the first things we learned in Law School, Ted, was that there are at least two sides to every story, even if one side is a mountain while the other is a molehill.
Any Jew who recites at Pesach “Next year in Jerusalem” is still a good Jew if they say it with meaning and not just as a rote recital. When I was 11 years old in Talmud Torah class with our two Israeli Rabbi teachers, Rabbi Lichtiger and Rabbi Katz, I cried with joy along with them and the rest of the class when the announcement was made that Partition had won the vote in the UN. When El Al was landing at Ben Gurion on my first trip to Israel, tears flowed as well when they played Yerushalayim Shel Zhahav in the airplane, and I’m not ashamed to admit that when I first stepped foot on the tarmac I was too embarrassed to give way to the huge urge I had to get down on my hands and knees to kiss the ground – because I had finally come home.
IMO, those Jews who are incorrigable in their siding with Israel’s enemies should be afflicted with the words of the psalm: “Should I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand wither and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.”
@ Sebastien Zorn:
I have to agree with the fact that the leadership of the Reform movement and those who like sheep follow it are not supportive of the existence of Israel. As a Zionistic Reform Jew who has supported Israel all his life, from the time of its inception in 1948, I consider it tragic that so many Reform Jews would through their ignorance and ther support of our enemies prefer that we become once again wandering Jews without a country to protect us. However, not all Reform Jews follow their leaders, and I surely wish those who are absolutely behind Israel, as I am, would speak up, perhaps even break off from their traitorous leadership.
@ Ted Belman:
Such decisions can only be made with individuals the way things are. The disputes are about over-arching policy, permanent policies leading to power sharing or in Saul Alinsky’s infamous words, “The issue isn’t the issue, power is the issue.” That’s the problem. I think religion is optional, otherwise.
I judge all Jews by their Zionist credentials and not by their religious label or practices.
But I also believe that Zionists are not anti-religious and indulge in religious rituals as part of their commitment to Zionism.
If there is a silent Zionist majority in these movements, it is time they made themselves heard and took the reins. Otherwise, the government of Israel is doing the right thing as stewards to be suspicious of anything they demand.
@ Bear Klein:
This article I cited said something similar
http://www.thetower.org/article/reform-and-conservative-judaism-have-failed-in-israel-and-its-their-own-fault/
but. It’s the formal, diaspora-based movements who are siding with the Arabs. Or at least their leadership and much of their base. This is unacceptable.
@ Bear Klein:
A good article. As Bob Dylan wrote: “The times they are a-changing”.
@ Sebastien Zorn:
I read an article that addresses reform Jews increasing in size in Israel to about 7%.
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5048733,00.html
Also the writer of the article refernced below believes that many Israelis are practicing Judiasm in a manner similar to Reform or Conservative Judiasm but do not identify with those terms so they will not be counted in a survey. They basically identify as “Jews”. I myself hate labels as they divide and simplify and may not correctly identify a persons belief system. Similar to the argument you had which nicely evolved to a discussion of actual beliefs and away from generalizations assoicated with Labels.
“Modern Israelis adapting Jewish culture to their own needs, a process that has always occurred historically, with the realities and existential pressures of contemporary Israel and in light of the history of the Jewish people’s ceremonies and beliefs as these modern Israelis understand them.” The Haredi are trying to stop this but the writer does not belief they will be successful. I tend to think he is correct.
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-are-there-reform-and-conservative-jews-in-israel/
Incidentally, there is a Kosher Mexican restaurant now on the Upper West Side https://www.mexikoshernyc.com/ on West 83rd Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus, though the one on the next block from the Jewish Theological Seminary to which I referred, a terrific place still there, is not Kosher, as I made clear. As a general rule, they are not.
@ Sebastien Zorn:
Any comment with more than 4 links goes into moderation.
Here’s just 3. None of this is news to you. You’ve written and reprinted articles about it.:
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/03/15/unlike-u-s-few-jews-in-israel-identify-as-reform-or-conservative/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-conservative-jews-publicly-oppose-trumps-jerusalem-recognition/
Many of them rabbis.
None of this is news to you. You’ve re-printed articles about it.
Why are genuine Zionists in these non-Orthodox movements, such as those to whom you referred, so quiet that nobody knows they are there? Now, that’s the question.
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/reform-leader-rick-jacobs-backs-j-street-1.5246257
@ Ted Belman:
I have tried to reply, but every time it gets stuck in moderation. Without quotes, everything is just, “he said, she said” no?
@ Ted Belman:
A reform temple. Very interesting. I would never have known from anything I have read anywhere including here. Or anybody I have spoken to. I have had liberal Jews scream at me for opposing the two state solution as though I was an advocate of genocide and therefore — for some reason — was threatening them personally, including two students — who started out from asking me directions in the Mexican restaurant where we happened to all be eating, I guess they didn’t keep kosher, either, ha ha — from the Jewish Theological Seminary which is in my neighborhood, and where, incidentally, apropos of nothing, I studied for my Bar Mitzvah, but gave up, and from which a famous cousin of mine, twice removed, was Bar Mitzvahed in 1908.
All of these were from there, many of them rabbis
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-conservative-jews-publicly-oppose-trumps-jerusalem-recognition/
According to the Pew and other studies, there are many non-Orthodox and secular Jews in Israel, but very few who belong to Reform or Conservative.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/03/15/unlike-u-s-few-jews-in-israel-identify-as-reform-or-conservative/
http://www.thetower.org/article/reform-and-conservative-judaism-have-failed-in-israel-and-its-their-own-fault/
Reform Judaism’s leadership is prominently anti-Israel
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/reform-leader-rick-jacobs-backs-j-street-1.5246257
For example
@ Buzz of the Orient:
The Reform and Conservative “Jews”, have modernized themselves almost out of the Jewish milieu, and become nearly completed assimilated centaur-like beings, with Chanukah bushes, “Sunday School”, wipe-out intermarriage, disbelief in Halacha, and ever more “assertive” and strident women “Rabbis”. Homosexual marriage has become a celebrated event, And so much more that I can’t really comment on because I know little about it.
Oh yes, Many are pro BDS, but also pro-Israel..if you can believe that, along with the many who are increasingly Anti-Israel. And we have rapidly increasing Dati Jews who make sure not to come to Israel. The backbone of Israel is provided by mostly secular Jews, where Halacha is the offical standard, but where Jews of all kinds feel
at home.
Judaism is still evolving, according to the increasing demands of modernity, but still, by increasingly convoluted compromises, keeping the Halachic Principles intact.
As I’ve said before, anyone who has ever listened to a simcha after-dinner speech by the Rabbi, might recognise that it’s a microcosm of Judaism itself. It begins with taking a Jewish principle, then rapidly veers along side-turns, and goes on where the bulk of the speech sounds like something completely different, and, very close to the end seems to have made a complete circle and triumphantly ends up just a “nose past the post”, showing that the principle remains the same as always.
That’s how rabbinical speeches always sounded to me….
There are many NON Orthodox Jews in Israel and feel quite at home. Israel certainly has a problem with the Rabbinut having too much power. Most Israelis do not like their power including many Orthodox.
It is true that many of the most vocal reformed in USA are supportive of politicians and issues that are not Pro Israel. I always wonder how many if they were away from the peer pressure of their fellow reformed Jews are actually pro Israel. I have found when you discuss and educate some of these people they come around to very pro Israel positions. Certainly not all.
@ Sebastien Zorn:
@ Buzz of the Orient:
It may interest both of you to know that half of the Torontonians who sponsored the conference I organized on The Jordan Option were active members of the Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto.
In fact I am visiting Toronto in 4 weeks and they are approaching the Temple to host my public talk.
I would also point out that Buzz and I wnet to Law School at the same time and practised law accross the street from each other.
@ Buzz of the Orient:
Right on! I wish your faction was noisier. All the air time seems to be going to the traitors. What can you guys do about that?
@ Sebastien Zorn:
Okay, I accept your apology and withdraw my insult to you. I have to agree with you on the facts of those Reform and Conservative Jews who both of us feel betray Israel. However, not all Reform and Conservative Jews fit that mould. As a Reform Jew, I don’t fit that mould. My Reform Rabbi son doesn’t fit that mould. My daughter who is an advocate and lobbyist for Israel doesn’t fit that mould. The group of Reform Jewish friends we had in Toronto when I lived there never fit that mould. You simply cannot generalize. I am as disgusted as you with those who call themselves Jews but support the Palestinians over the Israeli Jews – I don’t wish it on them but perhaps they deserve that their right hands should wither and their tongues cleave to the roof of their mouths.
@ Buzz of the Orient:
Thank you. I tender you my personal apologies but I stand by my critique of Conservative and Reform Judaism as well as my statement that they are virtually non-existent in Israel. I already tried twice to provide substantiation but, for the moment, at least, they are stuck in moderation. Just google things like Hillel and Nakba, or reform judaism against israel. Let’s see if it will let one through.
https://www.commentarymagazine.com/foreign-policy/middle-east/israel/reform-movement-backs-palestinians-against-israel-on-jerusalem/
Or the statistics on how few Jews in Israel belong to either, it’s mainly an American phenomenon that had little relevance in Israel, even before they began putting Israel last on the agenda and siding with her enemies.
Let me see if I can sneak in another in edit: https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-conservative-jews-publicly-oppose-trumps-jerusalem-recognition/
@ Buzz of the Orient:
Thank you. I tender you my personal apologies but I stand by my critique of Conservative and Reform Judaism as well as my statement that they are virtually non-existent in Israel. Here, from a source that is sympathetic to them:
“A 2013 Israel Democracy Institute study found that four percent of Israeli Jews feel they belong to the Reform branch of Judaism, and 3.2 percent to the Conservative branch…”
http://www.thetower.org/article/reform-and-conservative-judaism-have-failed-in-israel-and-its-their-own-fault/
and
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/03/15/unlike-u-s-few-jews-in-israel-identify-as-reform-or-conservative/
then
“Despite Withdrawal of Hillel Support, Jewish Students Hold Nakba Commemoration Event
Read more: https://forward.com/news/340488/jewish-students-hold-nakba-commemoration-event-despite-hillel-organization/
Got that? They initially gave their approval. Hillel international. According to the article, four chapters broke away over this.
“Reform Leader Rick Jacobs Backs J Street
Jewish umbrella body should accept bid from dovish Israel policy group, president of Union for Reform Judaism says.”
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/reform-leader-rick-jacobs-backs-j-street-1.5246257
“Hundreds of Conservative Jews have signed an open letter opposing their movement’s support for US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The letter, first published Sunday night, has garnered some 250 signatures in its first 36 hours online. All of the signatories are affiliates or alumni of the Jewish Theological Seminary, the movement’s leading educational institution, or the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the movement’s umbrella organization. Dozens of the signatories are rabbis.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-conservative-jews-publicly-oppose-trumps-jerusalem-recognition/
I could go on.
http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/The-Sex-and-the-City-candidate-for-NY-governor-has-a-Jewish-side-546544
Look up her synagogue, it’s a mix of Conservative and Reform. She’s pro-BDS.
“Alan Dershowitz Slams ‘Sex and the City’ Star Cynthia Nixon as ‘anti-Israel Candidate’ in N.Y. Race
Nixon, who is aligned with NYC Mayor de Blasio, once voiced support for Israeli actors who refused to perform in West Bank”
https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/dershowitz-slams-sex-in-the-city-s-star-nixon-as-anti-israel-1.5918166
@ Buzz of the Orient:
Thank you. I tender you my personal apologies but I stand by my critique of Conservative and Reform Judaism as well as my statement that they are virtually non-existent in Israel. Here, from a source that is sympathetic to them:
http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/The-Sex-and-the-City-candidate-for-NY-governor-has-a-Jewish-side-546544
Look up here synagogue, it’s a mix of Conservative and Reform. She’s pro-BDS
@ Sebastien Zorn:
I don’t agree with your GENERALIZATION concerning Reform and Conservative Jews – they are not all J-Street and Jews for Justice in Palestine traitors and more of them than your prejudice will allow are supportive of Israel. However, I agree that Judea and Samaria and all of Jerusalem should be part of a Jewish State, and I wish that the Jordan Option would work.
I acknowledge that you are supportive of Israel, but you have no right to tell me to go to hell on a sled just because my opinion differs from yours, because I’m as supportive of Israel as you are, and maybe even more so, because at least I’m tolerant. You didn’t know me at all yet you tell me to “go to hell” but that just colours you to be a low-life who deserves no respect whatsoever. Eat your words, don’t eat your words, I don’t give a damn – I already know the kind of person you are.
@ Buzz of the Orient:
Reform Judaism and increasingly Conservative Judaism are hostile to Israel. I don’t care about your Jewish credentials. They are all doing it in the name of Judaism! Zionism is what counts, whether secular or religious. Bibi and Shaked are both secular. Shaked is leading the way forward. A Jewish terror-free Israel from the river to the sea, at a minimum, with, at most, a handful of friendly Arab legal residents, zero JIhadists, free of international harassment and boycott. The rest is noise and fury, signifying nothing.
If you tell me you agree with me there and oppose the two state solution, I will eat my words.
@ Sebastien Zorn:
Not worth a reply.@ Sebastien Zorn:
@ Sebastien Zorn:
“To hell with them and with you, sir.”
You’re telling me to go to hell? You don’t know me. I’m a better Jew than you will ever be. My great-grandfather was a founder and the cantor in of an Orthodox shul, and my grandfather was the Shamas of that shul, in which I was Bar-Mitzvahed. My father is memorialized by a 1000 tree forest in Israel. My son is the Senior Rabbi of 1000 family member congregation and my daughter is the Deputy Director of a National oganization that advocates and lobbies for Israel. I CREATED the HILLEL organization at the university I attended and was its first president. I’ve been to Israel more than once, witnessed a bus bombing in Jerusalem, had to hide in a bomb shelter in a kibbutz near Lebanon. I have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Orthodox Laniado Hospital in Netanya, am an active advocate for Israel’s support on a social news site and you tell me to go to hell? Who the hell are YOU to tell ME to go to hell?
@ Sebastien Zorn:
Kerry is ignorant and no friend of Israel.
@ Sebastien Zorn:
Not worth it to respond to such a bigoted comment.
@ Buzz of the Orient:
But, seriously, Israel would be foolish not to ignore liberal diaspora Jews who seek only to weaken and divide Israel and make alliances with Israel’s mortal enemies to increase rather than combat the attempt to isolate and delegimitize the Jewish state and who contribute NOTHING of consequence.
Liberals who love to celebrate icons whose values they don’t even share, like JFK who said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Baskets of deplorable, worthless, treacherous, despicable liberals like those responsible for this:
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Proceeds-of-sales-of-Anne-Franks-diary-to-be-donated-to-New-Israel-Fund-549546
Very few of whom live in or even visit Israel, or ever would, regardless of what Israel does. In many ways, Israel is one of the most liberal countries in the world. But, these fake liberal fools make common cause with the Linda Sarsours and other Jihadist Trojan horses who have inflitrated the West.
To hell with them and with you, sir. On the sled of your choice. It’s a free country, after all. You can’t be convinced. You need to be excluded from the halls of power and influence and replaced.
@Buzz of the Orient
And, remember, in the words of former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, “Why fight over an old wall. We can build you a brand new wall. By the beach!”
John Kerry Solution, Inc. Israel Tour, February 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBXvrVgWToM
@ Buzz of the Orient:
Uh huh. You mean like this guy?
https://www.algemeiner.com/2018/04/09/veteran-basketball-star-amare-stoudemire-discusses-passover-applying-for-israeli-citizenship-and-life-in-the-jewish-state/
Or these folks?
BOOK YOUR TRIP TO THE WORLD’S BEST GAY CITY – LIVE IN TELAVIV
http://telaviv-pride.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwqsHWBRDsARIsALPWMENEPXx3PoYn7uKISVDRaB17r_bryFTwsbrbCaB-YcJRvwkAbssDExUaAtbJEALw_wcB
or these guys
https://www.timesofisrael.com/archaeologists-say-pluralistic-western-wall-prayer-area-harms-historical-site/
who dont use it anyway. They will be missed. All three of them.
That is, of course, if one is an Orthodox Jew. Israel’s present government, relying for its continued existence on Ultra-Orthodox support, is increasingly alienating more modern Jews such as those from the Reform and Conservative movements. Not only is that betrayal damaging their support of Israel, but is damaging even to the maintenance of the faith of their birth, intermarrying with other religions, and becoming atheistic. Bad mistake. Bad mistake.