My post about Michael Oren and American Jews last week brought many comments and emails. Some liked it, but the ones that didn’t either didn’t like my tone (“bitter, negative, polarized”) or felt that I was being unfair to those who did continue to support Israel.
I’m sorry about the tone, but I can’t pretend I don’t feel strongly about this. While I’m not happy that otherwise nice Scandinavians don’t support us, it hurts much more when unfair criticism comes from our own people. And I should note that there are some American Jews that really do care about Israel, who work hard to counteract anti-Israel propaganda and to inform and influence policymakers about issues that are critical for us. But they are a minority.
There were several things that came between me and much of the US Jewish community. In short, I think my problems with Jews are symptomatic of a major change that has happened on the left side of American politics in the past two decades or so: the replacement of liberalism by what is called ‘progressivism’, but is really a doctrinaire leftism that incorporates elements of the so-called “post-modern/post-colonial” worldview. Jews, as is ever so, are in the vanguard of this movement, and it is these Jews with whom I came into conflict.
I admit to having strong opinions about some things that go against the ‘progressive’ narrative about Israel: I think Israel needs to hold on to Judea and Samaria for security reasons, because it is the spiritual and historical heartland of the Jewish people, and because we are wholly justified in this by international law. I think that the problem that the Arabs refuse to accept a Jewish presence between the river and the sea needs a solution, but that it won’t be found by expelling Jews. It’s an Arab problem, not a Jewish one.
So if this position puts me out of the mainstream, I can understand that not everyone agrees with me. What I found hard to accept was that they refused even to listen. Again, there were exceptions, but in so many cases the response was not to dispute or debate me but to try to shut me up. That was problem one.
Problem two was Barack Obama.
Almost immediately after his inauguration, when President Obama made the notorious speech in Cairo that explicitly validated the Palestinian historical narrative, I realized that, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, we were not in Kansas anymore. This was not the pragmatism of Bill Clinton or the liberalism of Lyndon Johnson or Adlai Stevenson; instead, there were echoes of Edward Said. And as Obama’s contempt for our state and our Prime Minister became clearer and his Mideast policies worse, I became more and more critical.
But most progressive Jews, many of whom had worked in his campaign, didn’t want to hear anything negative about “their President.” Especially in social media, reactions to criticism of administration policies were vicious, often including accusations of racism. The discussion ended once the question of Obama or his policies came up.
It wasn’t that we disagreed; it was that no communication was possible.
I don’t expect them to pop out of their mother’s wombs quoting Jabotinsky because of their Jewish DNA. But this wasn’t just a political disagreement. We were starting from wholly different premises, living inside different conceptual schemes.
There is a certain minimum degree of – dare I say it? – tribal attachment that traditionally characterized Jews. It’s a starting point for discussion. And they don’t have it.
A person with a tribal attachment would at least listen to a pro-Israel view because it would be important to them. He or she would be open to talk about the idea of Jewish peoplehood, the idea that there is value in the preservation of a distinct Jewish people, and that a Jewish state may be essential to it and be worth defending.
This attachment has all but disappeared among liberal or ‘progressive’ Jews. And I blame the doctrinaire leftism I mentioned above. It is responsible for both the demise of Jewish tribalism, and the obsession with race that has seized left-of-center dialogue today.
A basic principle of this ideology is that there are oppressed groups and oppressors (often called ‘people of color’ and ‘whites’). The greatest sin is racism, which is the mistreatment of people of color by whites. This actually has little or nothing to do with race: Jews are considered white, while Arabs, their genetic cousins, are ‘people of color’. Any criticism of a person of color by a white is suspect, which explains the sensitivity to my objections to Obama Administration policies.
It is seen as a form of racism for whites to behave tribally to any extent, although people of color are permitted to do so (thus Israel is described as an ‘apartheid state’, while the insistence of Mahmoud Abbas on a racially pure ‘Palestine’ is considered unexceptional). Jewish protesters who said the mourner’s kaddish for Palestinian victims of one of the Gaza wars did it to embarrass those of us who (tribally) care more for our own than for our enemies. Can you imagine Arabs mourning dead IDF soldiers?
Liberal American Jews have taken this to heart. Their tribalism has been stamped out. They are embarrassed to feel that there is anything special or worth preserving about Jewish peoplehood. They like Jewish food, Jewish summer camp, Jewish music, etc. But they don’t see themselves as part of a people, a distinct unit with a connection to biblical times. They have been taught that there’s something ugly, even racist, about this idea.
As a result, the best that can be expected from them is indifference, and the worst the wholesale acceptance of the Israel-as-colonial-oppressor narrative. As one of my correspondents said, “Israel is just another foreign country to them.” And it is frustrating to tribal people like Oren and myself when they just don’t care. But why should we expect them to?
Nevertheless, the tribal feeling exists elsewhere. Most Israelis, religious or secular, feel it, and most observant Jews anywhere feel it. Michael Oren obviously does. Unless carried to extremes, it is a positive force. It is what built the Jewish state, and will guarantee its continued existence. Who volunteers for a combat unit in the IDF because they see themselves as citizens of the world?
Tribalism may be out of fashion, but it may also be necessary for our collective survival. Since Korach, Jews have been easy prey to seduction by the Left. Will American Jewry suffer the same fate as Korach?
@ mar55:
Tell your Granddaughter , ” you done good” which is Texan Kol Havdod.
@ Economist:
I have a dear friend from Uruguay who tells me how anti-Semitic are the Argentinians /
@ Economist:
I did not attack you in any form or manor. I have always been sweet to you.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallacy_of_composition
@ Economist:
The original egregious error was the repeated fallacy of composition. Having been repeatedly refuted, you and your friends resort to the strategy of personal attack. That does not fool anyone.@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
@ mar55:
Thank you for the offer Mar55,
Yehudit with whom I am married for many great years is South African born and a superb chef on her own merits. We married in South Africa and our HM was the Kruger National Park.
We all would love your ensaladadilla.
And Judy makes almond milk for cooking every week. Milk is only for tea… 🙂 This year the almond crop is not that good at the villages around though.
You have no idea how much I enjoy this Blog. Great people in general.
BBQ: We live some 20 kilometers South from the frontier with Lebanon in a precious city of 50000 where rose bushes are queens and olive trees as well as date palms are everywhere.
I wish you all can be here…
@ mar55:
Shalom Mar55, how are you my friend?
In specific instances it is of no merit to engage on threads with certain comment generators. One may consider offering such specimens a robust kite and hope they can use their ample generation of hot air to fly it or, otherwise install it for storage where the Sun does not reach.
On a more constructive subject: I have not yet got the wood and if it is not available soon we will go for the very good charcoal for the BBQ.
That’s three times. 😉 @ mar55:
@ Economist:
The only thing offensive in this blog is your presence.
You gave an opinion. I give my opinion of you. I did not ask for your opinion.
What part of “keep her options open” didn’t you understand?@ mar55:
Personally offensive posts are likely a violation of the moderator’s terms of service and repeated violation can endanger your presence here.@ mar55:
@ Economist:
Hmm…I thought you were flying a kite. As usual opining about something you do not know anything. You are assuming
she will go into academia.
Do you know of any seven years old who edited a book at such an early age and got paid for it?
The official editor had edited the book and left six mistakes in the book. He was fired. An English major from Harvard. Without knowing the person you should not assume.
You are intrusive and lack tact and knowledge. Many of your opinions are not factual or based on knowledge but on guessing and they are just your opinions. Go and fly a kite. Hopefully a strong wind might take you away with it.
BTW you might want to correct the word NOVELIST.
Many Argentinians are anti-Semites. A friend was a Chabad Rabbi there and was constantly accosted by young thugs on the street. A well-muscled, fearless guy, when he stood up to them they would run.
There are many attractive elements of Argentinian culture. One of my favorites was Atahualpa Yupanqui, and I love to listen to Zambas.@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
Mr.HaLevi, tell your wife I make a really mean ensaladilla.
and an almond cake similar to the Torta de Santiago but
better. HB gave me the recipe. Only almonds, sugar and eggs. No milk or dairy products.
I’m sure your wife can prepare nice dishes also. Argentinians women know how to cook.
HB, the crisis in Greece is more than it appears. They do not produce anything. 75% of what they consume is imported and the corruption in the government is horrendous.
For example for every car belonging to a functionary they have as many as fifty drivers collecting a salary.
Many people in the government collecting money for none existing jobs. It is a real nightmare.
Good luck to her, but few young mathematicians are female. In current conditions, that can only be taken as a revealed preference. Even many men who start out as math majors end up elsewhere on discovering that academic mathematicians have little to do with the real world. Many become economists, mathematical or otherwise, and quite a few end up as Nobelists. Keep her options open.
@ honeybee:
Thank you honeybee. My daughter is always saying that if things around here do not look well, she will move to Texas.
The little granddaughter had a test to see if she could qualify to take three years of Math in two years. The minimum score was 38 out of 50. She got 48 out of 50. I asked: What happened to 49 and 50? She laughed.
She does not like dresses with bows and I have to modify them.
She did qualify for special school for the gifted, gifted.
Only six made it from her school. She was the only girl.
She plays with girls but, if there are not girls around she plays even football with the boys. She is a sweet child
but I guess boys can be pals also.
I thought you might enjoy a little girl beating the boys at Math also.
@ ArnoldHarris:
It is a particular pleasure to be informed by you about your earlier moments here in Eretz Israel. I hope that you and your family someday rejoin us. We are here since 1977 with a pause of 10 years when I was called back to the US to assume senior roles on USDoD Military Avionics Programs.
Meanwhile…
I hail from the Pampas, in fact, and as intermediate stations, from Chicago and Albuquerque, NM from where I visited the US at large and enjoyed working on Uncle Sam’s military aircraft sections.
At all times we managed to, one way or another, find sources of our type of meats and entrails, (menudos), as that is as you well say, intrinsic to our birth places core customs.
Asados are a bit more than a small group feast for the senses, it is a social event. Families and friends join the festivities. Parrilladas are the smaller form of that.
Again, welcome to visit us for asados or otherwise…
Be well and happy
@ mar55:
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
Here is an article from the ” Forward” for you.
http://forward.com/opinion/311782/what-does-the-greek-crisis-have-to-do-with-shylocks-if-anything/?utm_content=daily_Newsletter_MainList_Title_Position-1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=The%20Forward%20Today%20%28Monday-Friday%29&utm_campaign=1%20-%20Daily%20%2F%20Weekly%20Preview
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
Your discussion of the coming asado reminds of the months Stefi and I lived in a merkaz haklita with its ulpan, Shikun Dora, located a few miles south of Netaniya, back in early1973, where we both had a crash course in street-understandable Ivrit, when we were preparing for graduate studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
No small number of our fellow students at the Shikun Dora ulpan were from various South American countries, especially Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. Neither Stefi nor I understood any Spanish or Portuguese, and few of these Latin-American Jews knew more than a smattering of English. But as we started absorbing Ivrit, we were compelled to use it as our means of communicating with these Jews from the southern part of our western hemisphere. Which, of course, is what Israel was and is all about.
Everyone in the dining room of the merkaz haklita were quickly made aware that these folks — and especially the Argentinians — seemed accustomed to daily consumption of a lot of beef, of good quality, and as frequently as they wanted it. I still remember one day when one of them lost his temper over what they had given him on his food tray, and he dumped it on the floor as something he regarded as unedible. Things didn’t frequently get that ugly, but all of us from other parts of the world, along with the mercaz haklita and ulpan staff, decided to let it pass and not provoke a response that would have made the situation worse.
One evening in the summer, some of the South American Spanish and increasingly Ivrit speakers invited Stefi and me to an evening time grilled meat party, which, they said, was called an “asado” in the various South American countries. We learned then and there that “asado” meant “roast”. We appreciated their hospitality and the asado was tastier than anything we had experienced for a long time. I still remember that beautiful and glorious night, amid members of a distinctive branch of the Jewish nation. Soon afterward, we purchased a new car, a 1973 VW Bug, and equipped it with a small roof rack. There were occasions in which we helped out a few of our new friends by giving them rides to pick up items they would need in the new apartments they were renting or purchasing elsewhere in Israel. By now, they must all be grandparents of third-generation Israelis.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
@ honeybee:
Quite likely HB. The Lake is a central point for Pilgrims including many very important Christian sites.
I would not be surprised if some hundred years back some Texan pilgrim would have spread some mesquite near the lake.
As to snakes. The area is very well populated with the TZEFA, a very large viper, extremely vicious and poisonous. They kill several people per year. We pass on the rattlers 🙂
The flies and ants are also not needed. Sorry 🙂
We got our own supply of poisonous crawlers with many legs and also alacranes. (Scorpions)
I remember now that about a week ago a TZEFA killed a woman up there.
The BBQ is not going to be near that area…
@ mar55:
🙁 It got here after all.
Argentinians including old Jewish families types, are game folk. Been around a bit…
There are groups all over in the US and put some pilpel to the score.
BBQ:
Sending would cost a fortune nowadays. I believe I can get some local very good wood for BBQ including some local mesquite.
Menudos/entranias are already spoken for at a Haredi Argentinian butcher shop about ten kilometers away. There will be chinchulines, chorizos and of course all meats. Chimichurri is a natural also.
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
I answered but as usual my message got erased.
@ honeybee:
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
I do not know anything about woods or barbecue but if you tell me what to look for I will ask honeybee and we can collect some of it and send you some.
I was in shul today with some Argentinians who are muy majos. An old lady (older than I am) who is a retired MD and a couple who are delightful.
The Rabbi is also Argentinian and he runs the kind of shul where everyone is welcome and happy. Other shuls are so stiff full of conceited people but, our place is very special. Just have to look at the amount of teenagers and young people attending to know you are in a very special place. There is de todo como en botica.
The Rabbi has a lot of family in Israel including his mother and brother in law who is also a Rabbi with a golden tenor voice. The rest of the Israelis who came are people who for a special holiday wore jeans and a white shirt. No tie. The dedication of a new Torah.
The day after they wore T-shirts and jeans. Fun people.
They know how to enjoy life and create a wonderful atmosphere within their surroundings. Friendly, funny and down to earth. The most important is down to earth.
We are looking forward to a great Argentinian BBQ.
Entrana and, do not forget chimi-churri.
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
I imagine some lonesome Texas roughneck planted them, would you like a few Fire Ants, blow flies and Rattlesnakes to add to the ambience.
@ honeybee:
It grows at a rather small stretch of land between the Northern road to the Lake Kinneret and the turning for the central road to the lake. About 16 kilometer by 10 km. It is smaller than the US cousin.
I see if I can get some pictures.
I have no idea how did this bush got to that area.
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
protected mesquite, only in Israel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ mar55:
I thank you both dear friends. But is just fine as the BBQ is getting closer every day. I am waiting for some nice wood I ordered and then… on we are.
There is a type of mesquite bush here but it is protected except with special permit.
Shortly full ASADO will be available.
@ mar55:
Our Aussie friend has done rode off to the Western Sunset on a Kangaroo. Every saying ” Who was that idiot on the mask”.
@ honeybee:
Last time I saw you here you were involved with the not knowing about arms Aussie who is a jack of all trades and
master of…
He has not been around. Since he might have some skills, did you send him to train kangaroos to kick Gaza’s musloids?
A battalion of “roos” ahead of the IDF will make the job of
our soldiers easier. If they start shooting at the kangaroos it will show our soldiers where the terrorists are hidden.
Do you think the Aussie could train kangaroos? He must be good at something.
BTW how are you feeling? are you on the mend or you still have some bruises?
@ honeybee:
Glad to see you around here HB.
Mr. HaLevi lives in Israel and is knowledgeable of the politics and the characters involved in its politics. He is analytical and a patriot. He talks straight and to the point and does not go around like a pompous peacock talking about what they do not know. Not knowing anything about what you are talking should tell you not to be patronizing and condescending with someone who is a patriot and a gentleman. Intelligent and courteous toward the other bloggers.
Economist, your time will better spent “Flying a kite”.
@ Economist:
Mr. HaLevi has always been a Caballero y un hombre muy corteseo.
@ Economist:
True. As a former decorated soldier here and a Senior Fellow Engineer with the US DoD military avionics programs in the US as well as an Invited consultant to the IMoD I learnt to separate the chaff from the grain very well. Guess where you stand…
And again you brand defenders of the Jewish people with your sick yardstick of bestial Islam.
Since I have better things to do than wasting my time with anyone akin to the “No Name Restaurant” I Hereby end this thread.
Nothing better illustrates the vicious and intemperate nature of Israeli political rhetoric than your posts. I find them little different in spirit from Islamist cries to chop off the heads of apostates.
@ Economist:
Economist. My name is Shmuel HaLevi.
Traitors shall be found, judged and executed in due course.
So now you dropped the Quran prop for your nonsense and jumped into the garb of a Torah sage in your own mind.
During the independence war, several executions took place, not the least those in the Altalena. Recall that one? There have been others.
In my case I demand that the scum that betray and sabotage the Jewish people be brought to justice.
Jewish Justice as spelled out in our Jewish Laws.
We have had enough of the perennial Wise and Goldman clones over there. That filth desire to assimilate and they must do so all the way. YET. NOT at our lives expense. We are not the renegades “children of sticks”.
They are traitors from the core. They deserve no better than that capo in 1948.
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2: To arrogate to yourself the right to declare non-citizens traitors to the “Jewish People” is the height of arrogance and since you are now making Halachic arguments, a sin. Only the Sanhedrin has that authority and there has been no continuous Sanhedrin for some time, modern attempts notwithstanding. Your jumped-up Kangaroo Court attempt also violates the principles of Loshon Hora and Rechilus. You also have no authority to speak for the government of Israel, nor do they have any jurisdiction over foreign Jews. Time to stop twisting yourself into s logical pretzel to defend a simple prolix error.
Israelis should not take personally the perfidy of liberal American Jews, who were morally absent without leave during the Holocaust. With their rejection of God and exaltation of liberalism, most American Jews have surrendered their claim to be among the Chosen and are nothing more than cheap knockoff versions of Gentiles.
@ Economist:
The Jewish Law is very clear. And again stop leaning to support you foreign argument on the Muslim murderous garbage. It simply slides outside reality.
The Twelve Spies minus one were executed by law abiding Jews. Give it any other label you wish. They committed treason against the Jewish people.
Korach and most of his followers were summarily judged and executed. None was murdered.
Shaul, a King also followed that fate.
Today traitors are also to be attended along those lines after due trials. I assure you that justice will be done.
I witnessed in South America when I was about 8 years old, the trial and execution of a capo who arrived in company of Nazis escaping Europe.
He found odd jobs at the Municipal Market.
He was identified by former camps inmates, detained by Jewish action squads, (mostly Polish Jews), presented to three Jewish judges elected by the inmates community and executed after trial. I saw it. Father spared me the last moments.
American and other renegades who ally and support the Jewish people enemies are traitors as well
Any questions?
Nice try at a lateral arabesque ( no pun intended) but the notion of “treason” to the Jewish people is no different than that of “treason” to the Moslem people, used as an excuse for murder of those who violate Moslem law. It’s a foolish and dangerous metaphor to use.
@ Economist:
The handy excuse for a contradiction to fact. When all else fail, drag in the Quran.
The American Jewish renegades are traitorous to the Jewish People. They organize to commit wanton treason and intentionally cause by their actions mayhem among Jews.
That is my concern, not any other folk about.
Maybe the Amurabi Codices have something you can hang you hat on to try to obscure facts.
Ahem… Nothing doing about the Quran.
The notion of treason to a non-nation belief system, including a code of laws such as the Quran, is what Moslems use to justify murder. I suggest you do not use that metaphor for Jews.
@ Economist:
The devil is in the willingly unread detail on your part Economist. I did not say treasonous TO ISRAEL, I drove the subject to reflect it being treasonous to our people, the Jews in Israel and our Heritage. I specifically made a link to Korach not Peres.
Pollard was just a chump operator that trusted the fellow above and I do not mean Korach.
Comparing Pollard to Vannunu is wild and untenable.
Vannunu conspired with foreign enemies to harm us.
Pollard connected to a disgrace gang, but for Jewish National Security reasons. Both should not have done it.
The US administrations actions are purely and viciously anti-Semitic and the so called US Jews… do not in any real way address that.
Israel does not need support. The Jewish people does.
So I’m not misunderstood, the issue with Pollard wasn’t whether he committed treason; he did. The issue was the proportionality of the sentence and what led behind the scenes to that disproportion.
You don’t get it. We are loyal American friends of Israel, not Israelis. “Treasonous” doesn’t apply unless you are talking Pollard or, in Israel’s case, Vanunu.
Up to them their fate. Ours must be separated from theirs.
They are inimical, aggressive, treacherous and in many cases, treasonous.
Korach was not oriented that way, at least not as many today can identify.
The US drifters mutated following the unJewish way into oblivion. We cannot risk being trapped in that miasma.