I've never been under any illusion that Trump REALLY liked Jewish people and/or Israel. The thing is, the seemingly ascendant AOC/Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party is what I can only describe as rabidly anti-Israel.
What I would remind Deborah Cohen-Maroni is that although Sanders might have received all that applause, the majority of Democrats are (for now) still with us. At least, this is what I tell myself.
Here’s a thought as we are ending Passover. The word for Egypt in Hebrew is ‘Mizrayim’ which has the roots for the word ‘narrow’ ( m-z-r). We are indeed in a narrow place trapped between the crazy Trump, the horrible war caused by inhumane Hamas aggression, and some highly problematic popular leaders in the Democratic Party. We have very little room to maneuver. We pray for ‘opening’ — that we will find space to make things right. Shabbat shalom and Chag sameach.
"The path between these two sides seems to narrow by the day. And when you picture the thin, wavering strip of sand across the Red Sea, with the immense and towering waves on either side: could there be a better metaphor for where we are as a community?"
This is the perfect encapsulation of how I have been feeling. Thank you for giving me the words to express this feeling of being squeezed onto a smaller and smaller path, with the impending waves threatening to engulf from both sides.
For example, one can appreciate Judith Butler's abilities and work, but one doesn't (need to) understand or approve of her rejection or hatred of Israel; such an attitude might be showing her (real) "respect.“
But Judith Butler won't understand or "respect" that because in all her „intellectuality“ she appears limited or even mentally ill.
One can also appreciate, understand, or try to "respect" that Trump is an unfortunate but almost inevitable result of the sum total of mistakes of "leftists"/"Democrats" of past years/decades – as AOC and Saunders stubbornly continue to practice, and by this, in terms of stupidity – like many "Democrats"/"leftists" – are in no way inferior to Trump.
Figures like Trump or AOC are an expression or consequence of the fact that "the majority(/ies)" that are allegedly supposed to be „democratic“and to be "respected" have never been democratic in the clear majority of cases, and are disrespective themselves all over, because the narrow, dangerous - but the closest to the truth or reality, and thus most honest possible, path "in between" is the only possibly democratic - way of life, but is simply "too exhaustive" for „them", and "belonging“ to some „group“ gives them a comfortable feeling.
However, no human being was ever born with the preference to give up their effort to be themselves—regardless of whether they belong to a "majority" or not—for the sake of this comfortable feeling. What is exhausting is not actually staying on the "middle" path between the waves of all-round lies, but rather the degree to which this is met with incomprehension: because the blatant "majority" is "educated" or trained, dressaged to lack understanding of itself, and to „belong“ to "somewhat“.
Humans are born and die with countless more questions than answers or even certainties — but it is considered "normal" to pretend it's the other way around. As if the "dangerous" path between the powers and in complete uncertainty was not the only "normal" thing.
Except in Israel (at least how I have experienced it - but I think I am not the only one).
Jews could never tread a convenient path. Sarcasm is a permanent undertone, a constant alienation towards „the world“ - which is constantly losing its mind - appears as a ubiquitous undercurrent. Stay on your way, please. Thank you.
I listened to Bernie's short speech at Coachella (at least the few minutes I could find online). I understand that Debora dislikes his position on Israel. However, in this speech, Bernie did not mention Israel by name, but called for an end to the war in Gaza, among his support for many worthwhile causes. I do not excuse his lack of support for Israel, and to be honest, there was no need to insert a call for the end of the war in his speech, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that it was an anti-Israel or anti semitic speech.
He has voted repeatedly to refuse to sell weapons to Israel. Since the beginning of the war. He is vociferously anti Israel. That can’t be wished away.
I've never been under any illusion that Trump REALLY liked Jewish people and/or Israel. The thing is, the seemingly ascendant AOC/Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party is what I can only describe as rabidly anti-Israel.
Really, what are we to do?
We are to fight for ourselves and all the other vulnerable people imperiled by this regime, while refusing and rejecting the evil on both sides.
Yes. Thank you. Let us fight for our neighbors and our friends and everyone.
What I would remind Deborah Cohen-Maroni is that although Sanders might have received all that applause, the majority of Democrats are (for now) still with us. At least, this is what I tell myself.
I’m not sure what you mean. I saw recently that less than half of Democrats support Israel.
Amen v'amen.
Here’s a thought as we are ending Passover. The word for Egypt in Hebrew is ‘Mizrayim’ which has the roots for the word ‘narrow’ ( m-z-r). We are indeed in a narrow place trapped between the crazy Trump, the horrible war caused by inhumane Hamas aggression, and some highly problematic popular leaders in the Democratic Party. We have very little room to maneuver. We pray for ‘opening’ — that we will find space to make things right. Shabbat shalom and Chag sameach.
"The path between these two sides seems to narrow by the day. And when you picture the thin, wavering strip of sand across the Red Sea, with the immense and towering waves on either side: could there be a better metaphor for where we are as a community?"
This is the perfect encapsulation of how I have been feeling. Thank you for giving me the words to express this feeling of being squeezed onto a smaller and smaller path, with the impending waves threatening to engulf from both sides.
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum gifted me a subscription to Haaretz not long ago. I am so excited to read your Jews Of The Universe about her!
For example, one can appreciate Judith Butler's abilities and work, but one doesn't (need to) understand or approve of her rejection or hatred of Israel; such an attitude might be showing her (real) "respect.“
But Judith Butler won't understand or "respect" that because in all her „intellectuality“ she appears limited or even mentally ill.
One can also appreciate, understand, or try to "respect" that Trump is an unfortunate but almost inevitable result of the sum total of mistakes of "leftists"/"Democrats" of past years/decades – as AOC and Saunders stubbornly continue to practice, and by this, in terms of stupidity – like many "Democrats"/"leftists" – are in no way inferior to Trump.
Figures like Trump or AOC are an expression or consequence of the fact that "the majority(/ies)" that are allegedly supposed to be „democratic“and to be "respected" have never been democratic in the clear majority of cases, and are disrespective themselves all over, because the narrow, dangerous - but the closest to the truth or reality, and thus most honest possible, path "in between" is the only possibly democratic - way of life, but is simply "too exhaustive" for „them", and "belonging“ to some „group“ gives them a comfortable feeling.
However, no human being was ever born with the preference to give up their effort to be themselves—regardless of whether they belong to a "majority" or not—for the sake of this comfortable feeling. What is exhausting is not actually staying on the "middle" path between the waves of all-round lies, but rather the degree to which this is met with incomprehension: because the blatant "majority" is "educated" or trained, dressaged to lack understanding of itself, and to „belong“ to "somewhat“.
Humans are born and die with countless more questions than answers or even certainties — but it is considered "normal" to pretend it's the other way around. As if the "dangerous" path between the powers and in complete uncertainty was not the only "normal" thing.
Except in Israel (at least how I have experienced it - but I think I am not the only one).
Jews could never tread a convenient path. Sarcasm is a permanent undertone, a constant alienation towards „the world“ - which is constantly losing its mind - appears as a ubiquitous undercurrent. Stay on your way, please. Thank you.
I listened to Bernie's short speech at Coachella (at least the few minutes I could find online). I understand that Debora dislikes his position on Israel. However, in this speech, Bernie did not mention Israel by name, but called for an end to the war in Gaza, among his support for many worthwhile causes. I do not excuse his lack of support for Israel, and to be honest, there was no need to insert a call for the end of the war in his speech, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that it was an anti-Israel or anti semitic speech.
He has voted repeatedly to refuse to sell weapons to Israel. Since the beginning of the war. He is vociferously anti Israel. That can’t be wished away.
As I said in my comment, I am not denying that he has voted against aid for Israel. I am referring specifically to the Coachella speech.
Ok got it. He didn’t rabble rouse on Gaza.