RABBI- YOU ARE WRONG

On the May 5th edition of “Times of Israel” I read an article by an American Conservative rabbi that to my 86 year old mind would do the Jewish people, both in Israel and in the diaspora, a great deal of harm. In his article the rabbi completely overlooks the nature of individuals and nations and does not, with all due respects, think about Jewish history for the last 3000 years. The rabbi proposes that Jews who are born to a Jewish mother, non-Jewish grandchildren and spouses, and those converted to Judaism, would be extended “Jewish Citizenship” as is covered by the Law of Return. These Jewish citizens” would be given the right to vote in Israeli elections if they visited Israel for a period of time, but would not have to make aliyah or serve in the army. The rabbi believes with this action Jewish people all over the world would draw closer to Israel and take part in the growth of the Jewish people. How would Jews know who to support when they live in countries 1000`s of miles away? They would never observe the candidates up close or hear them talk.

If I had to choose one element of anti-Semitism that is sited by the anti-Jewish factions all over the world, it is that Jews are not loyal to the state in which they live but to themselves, their own people. What better way to prove this point than following what the rabbi proposes. The rabbi brings up the dual loyalty proposition that many Americans are of French, Irish and Italian heritage and maintain dual citizenship without a problem. Since 3000 years ago the Jews have never been treated in a similar fashion as other nationalities, why should it start now? American Jews vote overwhelmingly for the Democratic Party, when this party is not on most issues supportive of the very serious problems that Israel has in its neighbourhood. Will voting in Israel change that? Not very likely. Many of the orthodox Jews in Israel , who do not yet have the numbers to take over the country, will never agree to this American rabbi`s proposal, especially when they may not even look on our Conservative rabbi as being Jewish. As a Canadian Jew I vote in Canada as a loyal Canadian should but I am free to criticize Israel, when necessary, as there is no country in the world free of faults, and support Israel when I agree with its policies.

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