Again with the cartoons...

Just when I thought it was safe to hide in my ambivalence, they draw me back in! Here's the latest controversial cartoon:

This one, created by a cartoonist named Pat Oliphant and published on Wednesday, immediately drew condemnation from several Jewish organizations. Some have debated whether the image is anti-semitic or just stupid. The image, however, has added fuel to the angry debate surrounding Israel's recent Gaza War. That debate is actually a skirmish in the larger battle over Israel's right to defend itself and its civilians and Israel's stereotype as a bloodthirsty and barbaric state.

The question of Israel's essential character (and that of Jews in general) played in the background of the debate around Chas Freeman's aborted appointment, reports about Israeli strikes against a nuclear site in Syria and a weapons smuggling route in Sudan and in debate over President Obama's administration. See this snippet about White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. It turns into a tirade against Jews in general. It was written by a commentator named Michael Scheuer but I picked it up through Jeffrey Goldberg's blog on the Atlantic Monthly website:

"[What do we think about Rahm Emanuel?] This is a good question, but the discussion will be feckless if it avoids what the moderator refers to as intimations that may be "ugly." Well, friends, ugly is here and it has been here for decades. There is indeed an identifiable fifth column of pro-Israel U.S. citizens -- I have described them here and elsewhere as Israel-Firsters -- who have consciously made Israel's survival and protection their first priority, and who see worth in America only to the extent that its resources and manpower can be exploited to protect and further the interests of Israel in its religious war-to-the-death with the Arabs. These are disloyal citizens in much the same sense that the Civil War's disloyal northern "Copperheads" sought to help the Confederates destroy the Union. The Israel-Firsters help Israel suborn U.S. citizens to spy for Israel; they use their fortunes and political action organizations to buy U.S. politicians with campaign donations; and most of all they use their ready access to the media to disguise their own disloyalty by denigrating as anti-Semites or appeasers fellow citizens who dare to challenge them. The Israel-Firsters are unquestionably enemies of America's republican experiment and will have to be destroyed as the Copperheads were destroyed -- by the people, after a full public debate (sic), at the ballot box."

Scary, no?

The Save Judaism Party

Yes, we have a problem with assimiliation. Jewish identity seems to be weaker than ever among non-Orthodox Jews. The standard measure for Jewish identity - affiliation rates i.e. how many people join our synagogues, JCCs, Federation campaigns, Bnai Brith, etc. - shows steep declines. Self-reported levels of observance are also low - how many people keep kosher, go to services, observe Shabbat at home. So it seems we have a problem inasmuch as Jews are increasingly assimilating and leaving Judaism behind.

But maybe the problem is not the disappearance of Jewish identity but a paradigm shift in how it is expressed. If (that's a big "if") Jewish identity is as strong as ever but is not expressed by joining the local Bnai Brith lodge or becoming a temple member than our data is simply misleading us. In that scenario, it's not that Jews aren't feeling Jewish. It's just that they aren't "joiners" anymore.

Either way, which party will be most important in leading and shaping Judaism for the next generation? Rabbis have long been the go-to (self appointed for sure but also communally authorized) leaders of Jewish communities. There has always, however, been an anti-rabbinic strain in the Jewish community as well. So, maybe we need another party to save Judaism.

Of course, at our temple, we have just experienced a different kind of party and its potential to bring lots of Jewish people together. Our second, adult-only Purim party, Mordecai's Margaritaville was by any standard a great success. We had over 100 people from 30-somethings to Greatest Generationers. And were talking to each other. And dancing together. And sharing drinks and food together (thanks Jerry for the best Margaritas of the night!). And the community felt strong and alive and connected.

This may not be the answer by itself, but we are not the only ones struggling to find the right party to answer our challenges. In Europe, a similar challenge exists. On the one hand, social clubs like Absolut-Events are planning successful parties for young Jews. On the other hand, the rabbinic councils call for more traditional observance and return to "family values." The strength of orthodox Jewish communities shouldn't be easily dismissed. The story was covered recently by the Jerusalem Post. See it here.

Who doesn't like a good party. It may be just what we need.

Waltz with ambivalence

I just saw the recent Israeli movie "Waltz with Bashir," a documentary done in animation about a veteran of the 1982 Lebanon War trying to recover his disassociated memories about the Sabra - Shatila Refugee Camp massacre. It is one of the best (i.e. most effective) anti-war movies I have ever seen. It also captures the ambivalence in Israeli culture created by the unshakable commitment to remembering the Holocaust and ensuring it never happens again clashing with the terrible horrors of war inflicted by Israel on innocent civilians when fighting against its enemies. If you don't mind subtitles, go see it. Be forewarned, however, that its "R" rating is well deserved as it has graphic violence, language and sex.

The movie pre-dated the recent Gaza War but serves as a powerful response to it (or any war). I had a lot to say about the Gaza War as it unfolded. I don't take any of it back. But after seeing "Bashir," I too find myself deeply ambivalent and no longer so willing to comment on wars especially not to defend them.

Intended Consequences

Listen to this interview with Israeli born photojournalist, Jonathan Torgovnik, about his new book, "Intended Consequences" and the related exhibition now on display at the Aperture Gallery in New York City. Those who were involved with or viewed the Vagina Monologues project at MRT will recognize the connection to this story. We may have an opportunity to present his work and the stories he researched at MRT in conjunction with the 15 anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. Jonathan has created a foundation - foundationrwanda.org - to help and support the women and children documented in his book.

The interview segment from the Leonard Lopate show from Tuesday, March 3rd is here:

http://www.wnyc.org/flashplayer/player.html#/play/%2Fstream%2Fxspf%2F125246

If the link does not work you can access the Lopate shows archives here.