Beginnings
The issues of Jewish life are endlessly complex, none more so than the continuing issue of Israel's security. In order to "know" what is best for Israel, one must be an expert on history and...
...Normally, I do not use this page to engage in controversy, in part because most controversial issues require more space than is here allowed...
...Of course there are differences...
...Begin or stand with Israel's enemies...
...But our differences stop at the celebration's edge, and this month is a time not only for debate and discussion, but for pride and rejoicing...
...Begin knows of Rabbi Schindler's concerns...
...The problem, of course, is that even the experts disagree...
...Next month, an update on how our college program—described on page 63—is doing...
...When he meets with Prime Minister Begin, which he does quite often, he seeks to press the case for greater flexibility...
...Only American Jews are sheltered from the knowledge...
...Either convince yourself that every aspect of Israeli policy is wise and right or be branded a traitor to Israel's interests...
...In the name of unity, those who cannot in conscience sing that note are sent away...
...How could it possibly be otherwise...
...No, it is not heresy...
...A vast charade unfolds, and the only rationale for that charade is that the Jews cannot be trusted...
...In that connection, I call your attention to our readers' comments on the situation in the Middle East, comments which appear elsewhere in these pages...
...When Abba Eban and Simcha Erlich differ, when Arik Sharon and Haim Bar Lev disagree, it is not because one or the other loves Israel more, nor would it occur to anyone to suggest that it is...
...We need only listen for a while to the debate within Israel to know that...
...Here is a secret: Large numbers, very large numbers of Jewish leaders (that is, the lay and professional leadership of many of our central national organizations) are deeply concerned about the erosion of support for Israel which the polls in America reveal and which the Administration and Congress reflect...
...But such manipulation—and it is by no means limited to one leader—is a very dangerous business...
...I think I have figured out the answer, and I am disturbed by it...
...In the name of unity, the leadership produces a monolithic monster that may not be able to cope with the sudden shifts in a delicate political situation...
...Happy May...
...But the question of dissent is one which is bubbling up all over just now, and I cannot refrain from urging reason upon us...
...I cannot believe that is what we want...
...Unity is an important resource, but its price may be far too high...
...President Carter and his aides know of Rabbi Schindler's concerns...
...In order to "know" what is best for Israel, one must be an expert on history and culture, oil and politics, leaders and nations, technology and tactics...
...Differences...
...If heresy it be, and the heretics be placed in che-rem, be excommunicated, then more than half our leaders will be driven out...
...As well as for planning summer trips, making midrashim, and sundry other activities, all of which we touch on in the pages ahead...
...There is no secret here...
...They are puppets to be manipulated...
...The consequence...
...In the name of unity, the community is urged to sing one note, and to sing it at a near-hysterical pitch...
...Reasonable people with equally profound commitments to Israel's welfare differ on the policies that will best protect her security...
...Why, then, are differences of judgment within the American Jewish community treated as if they were reflections of the loyalties and commitments of those who take positions different from the prevailing consensus...
...And another secret: Most of those who share that worry attribute a substantial part of the erosion to Israeli mistakes...
...when speaking to the Jewish masses, they have spoken with a certainty that masks the doubts they feel...
...But among themselves, serious conversation, replete with reservations, goes on all the time...
...In order to promote unity, the leaders of the community have been careful to keep their reservations to themselves...
...Begin aside and urges unity upon us...
...Wouldn't it be a relief if we could take our cues only from those who have such expertise...
...I cannot believe that is healthy...
...They cannot afford, they think, to take the masses into their confidence, and to engage in serious conversation rather than sloganeering...
...It only sounds like heresy because in the name of unity, the Jews are treated with contempt rather than with respect, because we have failed to speak the truth to one another, because we have boxed ourselves into an intolerable position according to which mature discussion is thought subversive and reasoned dissent is identified as treason...
...Next month, in fact, we plan a full-dress debate on these very issues...
...Those who seek to mobilize support emphasize the simple truths and not the subtle reservations...
...So he reports, at any rate, to large numbers of his friends, quite openly...
...And yet we can be sure that virtually every one of those who took the time to write cares, and deeply, for Israel's safety...
...That is a common style of leadership in any field...
...Jewish leaders know of Rabbi Schindler's concerns...
...Thus, for example, the nominal leader of the American Jewish community these days is a man of wisdom and sensitivity...
...But when he speaks to Jewish audiences, he sets his differences with Mr...
...It is an indication of dangerous immaturity when a community insists on attacking the motives of those who pursue an independent course...
...that is the way it is with complicated questions...
...Precisely because the issues are so very serious, we may expect differences to grow, not diminish, and we are ill-prepared to accomodate such differences...
...Either stand with Mr...
...Communal unity is a valuable political resource, and with respect to Israeli policy, we have for many years emphasized the importance of speaking with one voice...
...Nor should it come as a surprise...
...I cannot believe that is what is good...
...In the name of unity, people are treated as if they were children, and come, eventually, to behave as if they were...
...If we persist in such distorMoment /2 tion, we will force either-or choices on large numbers of people: Either join the monolith and repress your reservations or leave the community...
...Is that heresy...
...Whether or not there "should" be a split in the American Jewish community, our readers testify that there is...
Vol. 3 • May 1978 • No. 6
