ENCOUNTERING PEACE – IL the democratic nation-state of the Jewish People? – The Jerusalem Post mobile website
Posted By richards on June 28, 2017
Anti WoW protest at Kotel 150. (photo credit:News 24 Agency)
I am a classic old-fashioned Zionist. I came of age in Young Judaea, the pluralistic Zionist American youth movement founded by Hadassah. After years of Zionist activism and leadership, I made aliya to Jerusalem, fulfilling Zionisms ultimate goal, nearly 40 years ago. I chose Jerusalem as my lifelong home because of its mosaic-like social-cultural-ethnic-religious- national nature. My own personal Zionist fulfillment (or hagshama as we called it in Hebrew) was to dedicate my life to working to build peaceful relations between Israel and its neighbors and within Israel between its Jewish and Palestinian citizens.
My Zionism has always been based on a very strong connection to the Jewish People, history, heritage and culture. I fell in love with the Hebrew language and became enthralled by the expansion of my Jewish identity through the miraculous achievements of the development of Israeli cultural expressions in literature, music, theater, cinema and even journalism. I am a secular Jew. I am very secular and very Jewish. As such I have always struggled to find meaning in many of the religious symbols of the State of Israel.
I cherish our flag even though it is based on the tallit a religious symbol. I identify with the menorah the official symbol of the State of Israel, even though its roots come from the Temple, which as a secular Jew I hope will never be rebuilt. I still get chills when we sing Hatikva at national ceremonies and occasions, even though it too is based on religious symbolism.
I have never, though, been moved or identified with the Western Wall. I sang the famous song as a youth, there are people with hearts of stone, and stones with hearts of people, but other than liking the tune, the words never really became part of my identity.
When I first visited the Western Wall for my bar mitzva in 1969, I touched the Wall and even placed a note between its cracks, but was not moved. I did not have a religious moment of awakening and every time I have visited the Wall since, even at the swearing-in ceremony after completing basic training in the IDF, I did not feel the connection. I grew up with the version of Judaism which taught me that Moses was not allowed to enter the Land of Israel also because God did not want to create a sacred physical place of burial which would turn into a shrine.
That is what the Western Wall has become a physical shrine where Judaism has turned into a pagan, ritualistic form of Temple fetishism. I dont go to the Western Wall and dont care about it. I understand that it is very important to a lot of Jews, but not to me.
What I do care about is that Israel is supposed to be the democratic nation-state of the Jewish People.
Herzls book Der Judenstaat is not The Jewish State but rather The State of the Jews. That is the basis of Zionism and of establishing the State of Israel in the Land of Israel. The State of Israel is supposed to be the state of all Jews if they identify and want to be part of it. How is it that the State of Israel is the only democratic state in the world where non-Orthodox rabbis are not allowed to officiate at weddings or funerals? Kind of absurd! In Jewish law, the presence of a rabbi is not even required, yet there is a monopoly on Judaism in the hands of an institution that was created by foreigners before Israel was even born.
I am angered by the decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to drop the development of a non-Orthodox prayer plaza at the Western Wall not because it angers American Jewry, but rather because it is a symbol of the continued control and monopolization of Jewish expression in the democratic state of the Jewish People. The message is a clear slap in the face of millions of non-Israeli Jews, but it is a bigger slap in the face of those of us Israelis who continue to express our Judaism with non-religious identities. Our space within the State of Israel is on a sharp decline and it is an existential threat to me, my family, my community and a large part of Israeli society.
This threat is attacking our educational system. It is pushing its ugly face into cultural avenues of expression in theater, music, the print media, television and radio. It is trying to close down the few successes in providing public transportation on Shabbat for those in our society who need it most those who cannot afford to own a private car. The threat against us is also expressed against those who seek alternative kashrut certification, removing the monopoly of the Orthodox corrupt kashrut authorities.
Netanyahu and his government have taken a stand against a large part of the Jewish People, in Israel and around the world. He may have pleased my great-grandfather Rabbi Yehuda Rosenblatt, who is buried in Nahalat Yitzhak cemetery in Tel Aviv an ultra-Orthodox anti-Zionist who sent his children to America but wished to die in the Holy Land. His great-grandsons reversed history and made aliya and raised the next generation of Zionist, Israel-loving Jews in the State of Israel. In order to survive politically, Netanyahu rejects the present and the future by appealing to the past. This is too much to accept and for me signals the much-needed coming of the end of Netanyahus reign over the State of Israel.
The author is the founder and co-chairman of IPCRI, Israel Palestine Creative Regional Initiatives.
Share on facebook
Read this article:
ENCOUNTERING PEACE - IL the democratic nation-state of the Jewish People? - The Jerusalem Post mobile website
- Norman Finkelstein - The Coming Breakup of American Zionism, Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2011]
- Teutonic Zionism [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Rabbi Against Israel (Zionism) [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- What is Zionism rabbi explains [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Wikileaks exposes Zionist Treachery [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Zionist Pressure Fails to Stop Overcoming Zionism Book [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Leo Frank and the Founding of the ADL, Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- US aid to Zionism - Occupation 101 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Rabbi Weiss, Outside Annapolis Peace Confab, Rips Zionism [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- Christian Zionism 1 of 4 (OneDollarDVDProject.com) [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- History of Zionism, Israel and US Support. Prof Schleifer [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- Rabbi Protest Against Zionism [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- Rabbi Feldman: Zionism is "Illegitimate Political Movement" [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2011]
- Jews United Against Zionism, United Nations, January 4, 2009 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2011]
- The Insanity of Christian Zionism! [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2011]
- Jews protest against Israel and Zionism. [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2011]
- The Racist Anti-Semitic Murder of Jewish Factory Boss Leo Frank [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2011]
- August 17, 1915: The Only Jew Lynched in North American History [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2011]
- The Zionist Story. [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Onward, Christian Zionists [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Rapture Ready: The Christians United for Israel Tour [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Zionists invented Modern Terrorism [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- Barack Obama is a ZIONIST ILLUMINATI part 1 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- The Zionist Matrix of Power in America [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2011]
- Ahmadinejad Meeting With Anti-Zionist Jews [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- Zionist Terrorism in Norway [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- Zionist Visions Of 1984 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- the zionist conspiracy part 1 of 12 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- The Difference Between Jews and Zionists [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Zionist control The United States government [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- Christian Zionists - USA [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2011]
- How Zionists Divide and Conquer [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2011]
- Zionist Israel: What the world should know [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- The Zionist Story - part 1 0f 8 THIS VIDEO IS BEING CENSORED BY YOUTUBE! [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2011]
- Wolf Blitzer is a Zionist [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2011]
- Zionist Running Dog Obama and the UN Veto [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- Do ZIONISTS/ISRAEL Control the US Government ? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- Zionist Strauss-Kahn Evades Justice Again - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- 911 was An ISRAELI ZIONIST FALSE FLAG ATTACK, Ken O'keefe. - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- The Zionist Matrix of Power HD. - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 1933: Zionists sign a deal with Hitler - The Transfer Agreement - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Zionist Racist Rachel Maddow and Rand Paul - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Rabbi Weiss Criticizes Zionist Occupation of Palestine - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2011]
- Do Zionists Control Wall Street? The Shocking Facts! - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2011]
- PHILOSOPHY OF ISRAELI ZIONISM - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- Bruno and Zionist propaganda? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Zionism Defined - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2011]
- ZIONISTS WON'T LET YOU SEE THIS ON YOUR TV - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2011]
- Jerusalem the Cup Of Trembling - Zionist Israel, Iran, WWIII will start with Attack in Middle East - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2011]
- Norman Finkelstein vs David Pollack( Zionist) - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 17th, 2011]
- Rabbi Dovid Feldman, Jews United against Zionism- Face to Face-07-06-2011 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2011]
- Zionist 'Odyssey Dawning' In Africa - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2011]
- The Zionist Plan For Libya - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2011]
- Zionist's 5th column blew their cover! - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2012]
- Racist JNF Canada File: Jewish Mom realizes Zionist upbringing wrong - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2012]
- Zionism - Part 1 (Introduction) - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2012]
- IST #39: What is Zionism? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Rapper Lowkey exposes Zionism - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2012]
- He reveals the Truth about Zionists - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2012]
- The Khazarian Conspiracy, Part 1 of 12 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2012]
- David Wildman Russell Tribunal on Palestine - New York - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2012]
- What's The Matter With Israel? Zionism? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Does Israel Benefit from US Foreign Aid? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- What is The Illuminati and Freemasonry!? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Prophecy In The News: Zionism Is Israel's Struggle To Reclaim It's Biblically Ordained Designation - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Adolf Hitler speech against freemasonry illuminati NWO,zionist plutocracies. - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Yung Glynn [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2012]
- SMode ft Megalithic Enigma Best Anti illuminati Music with Lyrics - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- Israeli Jewish man says Zionism is the cause of the problems - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2012]
- Judaism and Zionism - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2012]
- #GazaUnderAttack - Benjamin Freedmans: The True About The Zionism 1961 speech - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2012]
- Palestine - Victims of corrupted Democracy - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2012]
- hell to Israel [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2012]
- World Views on Zionism - ????? ??? ?????? ??? ????????? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2012]
- Shaykh Cyrous on Zionism and wilayat al-faqih - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 17th, 2012]
- ALIEN INTENTIONS - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2012]
- Pleading For My Land Israel - Herbert Pagani 1976 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2012]
- How to Stop the NWO! By Henry Makow PhD - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2012]
- END of the WORLD HOAX is now finished the PANIC SPENDING and COMPANIES making MONEY from FEAR stop - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2012]
- Still Skeptical To Support Zionism! - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2013]
Comments