Israel and Diaspora disagreements getting out of hand
The July 19th issue of The Chronicle had two articles that I found of interest. One was about the continuing conflict over the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Members of the Reform movement are shown confronting police and security guards. The other piece by Rabbi Dianna Fersko was an appeal to liberal Jews to embrace Tisha b’Av due to increased anti-Semitism. She appeals to us not only to be cognizant of past tribulations but to be more responsive to the anti- Semitism of today.
Our family quarrels are becoming so intense that they are getting out of hand. Yes, I do relate to Israel as our family. Why? Where else can we look to be a haven for Jews anywhere in the world? It has been only 70 years since we got our state back. In my lifetime, no less. May we never see Israel and Diaspora become adversaries.
Americans are not Israelis. Israelis are not Americans. Remember, only 5 percent of Israelis are Reform or Conservative Jews.
So why am I so concerned about these conflicts? Memory is the answer. I remember that our country severely limited immigration of Jews from 1924 to 1952. During that period 6 million Jews were murdered because of the inaction that amounted to complicity by the countries of the world. Remember the rejection of the SS St. Louis? A substantial number on board were then killed in concentration camps. Then there was the failure of conferences in Evian and Bermuda. The War Refugee Board of the USA was established after millions of Jews were already slaughtered. I remember the Greek ship Struma with 782 Jews aboard who were denied permission to land. The ship was towed out to sea while the ship’s engine was being prepared. It was sunk by a German submarine. All aboard were lost except one teenager. I remember Britain’s refusal to allow Holocaust survivors to enter Palestine. I remember that Holocaust survivors languished in DP camps that existed from 1945 to 1952.
Americans make Aliyah in small numbers and do so out of conviction. Others emigrate to Israel to find a safe haven. For example many Jews from France and the UK are emigrating today. Almost 1.3 million made Aliyah from Russia and the former USSR. Amazing!
Let’s not bash Israel because of any disagreements we may have. Let us be constructive in our criticism. We need each other.
Sol Koenigsberg
Overland Park, Kansas
