From the Editor-

Now that summer and the holidays of Tishri have passed, ARZA E-ALERTS returns for a second year of disseminating modest selections of diverse views from and about Israel. A project of ARZA---Association of Reform Zionists of America, it is intended for those who want to keep abreast of developments, but don’t have time to read everything.

Two things will be different this year. We’ll try to keep the number of articles in each edition manageable. Some editions last year ran to 15 or more, which our readers complained was excessive. Second, we may vary from last years “every Tuesday” schedule.  AEA is compiled and edited by a lone retiree, whose loved ones are urging him to get a life.

We don’t as yet have the capability of becoming a blog. But we do welcome comments, criticisms and suggestions for articles we missed. 

I’ll be at the URJ Biennial in Toronto next week, and look forward to seeing many of you there.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Ira Youdovin, AEA editor

October 21, 2009: ARZA E-Alert

It’s fair to say that the Jewish People have been in debate mode since Talmudic times. In recent weeks, this format has produced several sharp and enlightening exchanges.

Jay Michaelson, award-winning writer and teacher whose work, which he characterizes as Metetronics, focuses on intersections of Judaism, law, contemplative practice, and sexuality, published a piece in the Jerusalem Post entitled How I’m Losing My Love For Israel (1). Dr. Daniel Gordis, Senior Vice President of the Shalem Center responds (2).

Abe Hayeem an architect, peace activist and founder member of Architects & Planners for Justice in Palestine, takes a dark view of events celebrating Tel Aviv’s 100^th anniversary (3). Carlo Strenger, a philosopher and psychoanalyst, responds that fixation on alleged Zionist misdeeds of the past impedes Palestinians and their Jewish advocates from building a better future (4).

With J-Street’s first annual convention taking place in Washington this week, its executive director, Jeremy Ben-Ami writes an open letter to Israeli ambassador Michael Oren, who has refused to meet with him (5). Gil Troy, professor of history McGill University, responds to Ben-Ami (6).

Three items on the Goldstone Report:

ARZA’s President, Rabbi Robert Orkand writes in from Jerusalem on his impression of the angst among older Israelis and his feeling that for many, the Goldstone report was the straw that broke the camel’s back (7).

In an interview with The Forward, Goldstone appears to draw back from the Report’s harsh tone, suggesting that it was intended only as an advisory document for consideration by other bodies that would draw conclusions, and stating that the allegations it levels are not supported by sufficient evidence to stand up in a court of law (8).

Finally, we present a lengthy and detailed analysis of the Report by Asa Kasher, Laura Schwarz-Kipp Professor Emeritus of Professional Ethics and Philosophy of Practice at Tel Aviv University. As he writes, much of the initial reaction to the Goldstone Report, both pro and con, stems not from a careful reading of what it says, but from emotional and political factors. Dr. Kasher suggests a framework for more considered evaluation (9).

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