Seventy-five years ago this week, the Jewish community of Palestine (known as the yishuv) gathered in the art museum of Tel Aviv—then a city of less than 200,000 inhabitants—in order to perform a resurrection.
Just getting to listening. I am in support of the protest movement issues against the religious right, but also believe there should be some sort of judicial reform because the current judicial system is not fair (the Left has packed the courts for decades). I'm also a big fan of Gordis, Klein-Halevi, and you, Bari, but I think the Protest Movement advocates view themselves WAY more charitable than the rest of the country does. Yes, 200,000 people protest each week (I've been to five protests in TLV and I literally see the same people every time) but it's the SAME people, every week. So why are 8 or 9 million people NOT protesting? The Protest folks, like Gordis, describe themselves as this massive movement that is overwhelming the political stride of the country. But when I ask Gett drivers, stall workers in the Shuk, and restaurant workers, or my friends in the diverse neighborhoods of TLV about what they think of the protests, they just roll their eyes "Shtuyot Bamitz" ... just nonsense. I see why. The Protests have become self-indulgent spectacles - and yes, there are a bazillion handmaid's tale ladies carefully choreographed for the best drone shot - and come off as sour elitists who are mad they lost the election. I love Gordis and Klein-Halevi so I'm a little shocked at their lack of self-awareness. Just as in the US, the Coastal Elites view themselves as the voice of the minorities, immigrants, and the underserved, they can't understand why Trump is polling high with Latinos again. Anyway, my point is that I am united in protesting the bad ideas, but I don't think they are moving the needle as much as they think. Instead of these star-studded showy events, save the money (fundraise!) and try to authentically connect with voters in the next election. And leave the Handmaid's Tale ladies at home.
Fascinating pod. The more I read and listen the more I learn.
Two things - while only tangentially mentioned, the large number of Misrahi Jews were expelled from their Arab countries where their families had live for thousands of years. About 900,000 Jews were displaced from their ancient homes.
Something else that Israel must think about if it is to be a refuge from anti-Semitism is who is a Jew. Those who attack us have a much more expansive then traditional Judaism. My kids are considered Jewish by the anti-Semites even though their mom is not. Their cousins were born to mothers who converted but would still not be considered Jews because the conversions were reform. Even some people I've known who had orthodox conversions have had them questioned.
Will the State of Israel deny access to our refuge to people who will be murdered for being Jewish because they don't conform to some narrow definition of who is or is not a Jew?
Many people love Israel and the Jewish people. To answer Baris question why the “world” hates Israel it’s bc God chose Israel to restore creation. Until this occurs the world is ruled by the satan.
I’m very sympathetic to the positions of people like Rabbi Gordis. Nevertheless, I cannot stand the misuse of the term “democracy” to justify these concerns. This is not about democracy - it’s actually anti-democratic. I’m also disturbed by this ex-American’s lack of knowledge of the US system of judicial review and checks and balances.
One more thing- I’m a mostly secular acting Jew and would not want to live under a halakhtic regime. I would also not want to live under the regime where the mores are set by an undemocratic court which self perpetuates. They are both the same.
This is a really good point that no one has really made. For millennia Jewish law has been made by unelected courts... So the Israeli Supreme Court has its roots in our long history of rabbinic courts.
Minor correction: you say in the opening that the Israeli Declaration of Independence was signed by 36 men and one woman. In fact, 2 women signed the DoI, Golda Meir of course, as well as Rachel Cohen-Kagan. Shout out to the podcast Israel Story and its series on the DoI for this factoid.
Thank you for this overview of current Israeli politics. Unfortunately asking someone from one side of the current political debate in Israel to give an overview of it is a bit like asking AOC or Josh Hawley to give an overview of current American politics to a foreign audience - you'll certainly get a side of the debate but you certainly won't get an overview.
Now that you have had someone like Rabbi Gordis to be the equilative of AOC, perhaps it is time to get someone the equilative of Josh Hawley. May I suggest Simcha Rothman, the articulate (in multiple languages) architect of the judicial reform?
Love me some Jews talking about Israel.
Just getting to listening. I am in support of the protest movement issues against the religious right, but also believe there should be some sort of judicial reform because the current judicial system is not fair (the Left has packed the courts for decades). I'm also a big fan of Gordis, Klein-Halevi, and you, Bari, but I think the Protest Movement advocates view themselves WAY more charitable than the rest of the country does. Yes, 200,000 people protest each week (I've been to five protests in TLV and I literally see the same people every time) but it's the SAME people, every week. So why are 8 or 9 million people NOT protesting? The Protest folks, like Gordis, describe themselves as this massive movement that is overwhelming the political stride of the country. But when I ask Gett drivers, stall workers in the Shuk, and restaurant workers, or my friends in the diverse neighborhoods of TLV about what they think of the protests, they just roll their eyes "Shtuyot Bamitz" ... just nonsense. I see why. The Protests have become self-indulgent spectacles - and yes, there are a bazillion handmaid's tale ladies carefully choreographed for the best drone shot - and come off as sour elitists who are mad they lost the election. I love Gordis and Klein-Halevi so I'm a little shocked at their lack of self-awareness. Just as in the US, the Coastal Elites view themselves as the voice of the minorities, immigrants, and the underserved, they can't understand why Trump is polling high with Latinos again. Anyway, my point is that I am united in protesting the bad ideas, but I don't think they are moving the needle as much as they think. Instead of these star-studded showy events, save the money (fundraise!) and try to authentically connect with voters in the next election. And leave the Handmaid's Tale ladies at home.
Great episode!
Fascinating pod. The more I read and listen the more I learn.
Two things - while only tangentially mentioned, the large number of Misrahi Jews were expelled from their Arab countries where their families had live for thousands of years. About 900,000 Jews were displaced from their ancient homes.
Something else that Israel must think about if it is to be a refuge from anti-Semitism is who is a Jew. Those who attack us have a much more expansive then traditional Judaism. My kids are considered Jewish by the anti-Semites even though their mom is not. Their cousins were born to mothers who converted but would still not be considered Jews because the conversions were reform. Even some people I've known who had orthodox conversions have had them questioned.
Will the State of Israel deny access to our refuge to people who will be murdered for being Jewish because they don't conform to some narrow definition of who is or is not a Jew?
Many people love Israel and the Jewish people. To answer Baris question why the “world” hates Israel it’s bc God chose Israel to restore creation. Until this occurs the world is ruled by the satan.
I’m very sympathetic to the positions of people like Rabbi Gordis. Nevertheless, I cannot stand the misuse of the term “democracy” to justify these concerns. This is not about democracy - it’s actually anti-democratic. I’m also disturbed by this ex-American’s lack of knowledge of the US system of judicial review and checks and balances.
One more thing- I’m a mostly secular acting Jew and would not want to live under a halakhtic regime. I would also not want to live under the regime where the mores are set by an undemocratic court which self perpetuates. They are both the same.
This is a really good point that no one has really made. For millennia Jewish law has been made by unelected courts... So the Israeli Supreme Court has its roots in our long history of rabbinic courts.
Minor correction: you say in the opening that the Israeli Declaration of Independence was signed by 36 men and one woman. In fact, 2 women signed the DoI, Golda Meir of course, as well as Rachel Cohen-Kagan. Shout out to the podcast Israel Story and its series on the DoI for this factoid.
Thank you for this overview of current Israeli politics. Unfortunately asking someone from one side of the current political debate in Israel to give an overview of it is a bit like asking AOC or Josh Hawley to give an overview of current American politics to a foreign audience - you'll certainly get a side of the debate but you certainly won't get an overview.
Now that you have had someone like Rabbi Gordis to be the equilative of AOC, perhaps it is time to get someone the equilative of Josh Hawley. May I suggest Simcha Rothman, the articulate (in multiple languages) architect of the judicial reform?