Rabbi Says It's Time to Stop Shunning Jews Who
Oppose Zionism
Allan C. Brownfeld, Editor
Special Interest Report
April 2022
Rabbi Amy Bardack of Pittsburgh, a prominent voice associated with J Street, the
liberal Zionist lobbying group, says that is time for the Jewish establishment to
stop shunning Jews who are opposed to Zionism.
She writes at eJewishPhilanthropy that the “donor base” of traditional Jewish
organizations is “shrinking” and more and more young Jews believe that Israel’s
treatment of Palestinians represents a violation of Jewish ethical values. She
notes that, “Our institutions have to wrestle with the reality that increasing
numbers of passionate Jews do not support the state of Israel. Is it in our best
long-term interest to be welcoming to everyone but them? I propose that we spend
less time labeling anti-Zionist Jews as anti-Semites and more time figuring how
to be truly inclusive.”
Bardack is a long-time Jewish educator and is in the “rabbinical cabinet” of J
Street. She pointed out that, “Many of our communal organizations welcome with
open arms a full spectrum of people with various racial or gender identities,
sexual orientations, religious practices or beliefs. Many of these organizations
purport but one acceptable form of ostracism and that is toward those who express
anti-Zionist viewpoints.”
Moved by the case of Jesse Sander, who was fired by a Westchester, New York
Reform temple after it was discovered that she had written an article critical of
Israel after its assault on Gaza, Bardack argues that Sander represents the
future: “The number of Jews who think like Sander is not insignificant. A June
2021 poll by the Jewish Electoral Institute found that 34% of American Jews
agreed that ‘Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is similar to racism in the U.S.’
25% agreed that ‘Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians.’ The
percentages are even higher when you isolate adults under age 40.”
In Bardack’s view, “The above data should give us pause…Synagogue membership is
dwindling. Is it wise to shun Jews like Sander at a time when Jewish affiliation
and literacy are at an all-time low? According to Jewish tradition, the community
can still learn from them.” **.
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