“The question, then, isn’t whether but how to criticize. If you must criticize Israel, do so with the intention of helping Israel grow. Criticize with pride in our achievements, not only with disapproval of our failures. And don’t delight in the role of rebuker.
(more…)“In 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the world changed. Now it is on us to make certain that George Floyd’s death will not be in vain. We can argue and joust and cry about Israel another day.”
Source: Rabbi Avi S. Olitzky, “Why I, A Minneapolis Rabbi, Changed My Mind About ‘Black Lives Matter'” (The New York Jewish Week)
“I am disappointed that for many, ‘pro-Israeli’ and ‘pro-Palestinian’ are mutually exclusive. More distressingly, ‘pro-Israel’ is too often interpreted as ‘anti-Palestine’ or ‘anti-Muslim’ — which is plainly false.”
Source: Zohar Levy, “I’m an Israeli-American: Let’s Talk About It” (The Stanford Daily)
Yesterday was Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and civilian victims of terrorism. Swiftly on its heels, today brings Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. (Learn a bit more about them here.) And this year, as you might expect, there are many, many ways to observe online.
It’s impossible to do—or even list—everything that’s out there. I’m just going to share with you a few events that I’ve attended/plan to attend this year.
(more…)“I plead with everyone on our campus to be careful and vigilant against legitimate debate turning into anger, then to hatred and demonization, and invidious discrimination.
I can say that Jewish students are feeling this, and it’s wrong. I feel it, and it’s wrong.”
Source: “President Bollinger Condemns Anti-Semitism in a Statement Before the Senate Plenary” (Columbia University)
Each week as Shabbat approaches, the My Machberet blog presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.
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