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Jewish Journal

Connect. Inform. Inspire.

May 29, 2024

Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month at the White House

Commentary, Opinion /

On Monday, May 20 I had the honor of attending a reception at the White House in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), which is a celebration of our people’s enormous contributions to the United States. JAHM was first proclaimed by President George W. Bush in 2006 at the initiation of Senator Arlen Specter.

Standing in the Rose Garden, President Biden spoke about the ways our community has shaped this country: “Jewish artists and poets have helped define the American vision of liberty for millions of people who come to our shores. Jewish suffragettes and advocates have fought for women’s rights, and voting rights – every right we have. My whole career, every fight to increase civil rights and civil liberties has been led by Jewish community … Jewish scientists and engineers and doctors have led breakthroughs in innovation, technology, and medicine. Across government, Jewish Americans have proudly served our nation in uniform and elected and appointed office in embassies and civil service and in our nation’s highest courts.”

Although his remarks focused on the American Jewish community, the President also categorically rejected the ICC’s actions this week, called for Sinwar’s removal and aptly described Hamas as “butchers,” explicitly condemning the kidnappings, rapes and murders perpetrated by the terrorist regime. He declared his ongoing commitment to provide Israel with the resources it needs to defend itself against its enemies and promised to do everything he can to defend Jewish life in America against rising antisemitism.

While legitimate concerns have been raised about certain actions the administration has taken, it was an honor to have the opportunity to express our gratitude for the generous support we have received as well. 

It was inspiring to be surrounded by hundreds of members of the Jewish community, our allies, elected officials and cabinet members. I was heartened to also stand amongst student leaders who have been advocating so courageously over the past many months on our college campuses.

I was invited to the White House as the guest of comedian Tiffany Haddish whose personal story is a magnificent example of what makes the Jewish American experience so special. Born to an Eritrean immigrant father and a native Angeleno mother with roots tracing back to African slaves, Haddish only discovered her father’s Jewish lineage during her teenage years. 

At age 40, she fully embraced her Jewish identity by becoming a bat mitzvah, which Cantor Emma and I were honored to co-officiate. Over the past eight months, Tiffany has spoken out repeatedly in support of Israel and made her first-ever trip there this past February, visiting Hostage Square and meeting with families of those held captive in Gaza. Watching her speak with the President and Vice-President about the importance of continuing to fight for the return of the hostages while proudly wearing her Jewish star was another reminder of how unique and precious the Jewish American experience has been.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff shakes hands with U.S. President Joe Biden during a reception celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 20, 2024
(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Following the President’s speech, I had the opportunity to introduce Tiffany to my former neighbors Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, whom we met while our family was living in Jerusalem. Jon told me that his son Hersh, for whose release we pray every single day, is a huge fan of comedy. God willing, Hersh will soon be able to enjoy hearing about his parents’ meeting with Tiffany when he is released from captivity and at last comes home.

I’ve studied Jewish history throughout my adult life. Never before have Jews lived in a time with a sovereign Jewish state whose closest ally is the most powerful nation in the world.

I’ve studied Jewish history throughout my adult life. Never before have Jews lived in a time with a sovereign Jewish state whose closest ally is the most powerful nation in the world, whose leaders have declared publicly on many occasions as President Biden did this past Monday afternoon: “My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people and the security of Israel and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad.”

Jewish American Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to reflect on both the tremendous contributions we have made to this country as well as the extraordinary gifts this country has given us in return. 

May God bless Israel and may God bless Israel’s greatest friend in the family of nations: the United States of America.

Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback is the Senior Rabbi of Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles, California.

Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month at the White House Read More »

The Good German

Commentary, Opinion /

My name is Patricia Heaton — a Christian, wife, mother actress, and the founder of O7C, the October 7th Coalition — Christians united to stand visibly and vocally for the Jewish people, for the right of Israel to exist, and to fight antisemitism. 

On Oct. 7 I was astonished and horrified by the footage coming from Hamas terrorists — the gleeful and savage butchery of innocent, peace-loving Israelis, many of whom had spent their lives trying to help Palestinians. Equally as barbaric, Hamas took many people hostage, 133 of whom are still held captive in dark tunnels. The youngest hostages are Ariel, who is four, and Kfir Bibas-Kefir, who turned one year old in captivity. 

When it happened, I looked around for the outrage, and it wasn’t there. Tennessee, where I now gratefully reside, is one of the most religious states in the Union, and the character and quality of its citizens reflect that. Yet I was hoping to see a more visible response to the terror. I posted on Instagram: “did you ever have the thought — ‘if I were a German during WW2, I hope I would have been that good German who hid my Jewish neighbors.’” I posted places where people could donate to help the Israelis and then finished with “please call or text your Jewish friends and ask them how they’re doing. Find out if you can help in any way.”

Christian friends, now is the time to be the good German.

As the blatant Jew hatred grows and multiplies across our campuses and around the world, I think of Israeli scholar Yehuda Bauer, who spoke to Germany’s parliament in 1998. He suggested a new commandment: “Thou shall never, but never, be a bystander.”

We are blessed to have a cloud of Christian witnesses who refused to be bystanders, who bravely, visibly, and vocally called out evil during WW2.

Pastors, think of Catholic Bishop Clemens August Von Galen, well-known critic of the Nazis. His bold sermons attacked the Nazis’ Aktion T4 euthanasia program and the propagandizing of their youth: “What sort of books do they read? Christian parents? Do but examine these books, especially the history texts used in the secondary schools. You will be appalled at the disregard for historical truth, at the attempt to inculcate simple children with distrust for Christianity and the Church and indeed with hatred of the teaching of Christ …” He exhorted Catholic Germans to be brave and steadfast in their faith: “God communicates with us through conscience that is molded by faith and you must always courageously obey that inner voice … Obedience to God and conscience may well cost us life, liberty and home, but let us die rather than commit sin.”

Pastors, think of the famous words of Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller:
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Pastors, think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who gave all for the sake of Christ and his fellow man:
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.”

Antisemites all over the world and particularly on our college campuses, are calling for the extermination of the biological family of our Jewish savior, but our holy book calls on us to stand with them and beside them:

“I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you, and all peoples on earth shall be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:3

Many Christians do want to help their Jewish neighbors but don’t know how. At O7C, we are facilitating activities that are building a network of relationships to connect churches with synagogues, pastors with rabbis, and creating opportunities for education, community and fellowship.  

Many Christians do want to help their Jewish neighbors but don’t know how. At O7C, we are facilitating activities that are building a network of relationships to connect churches with synagogues, pastors with rabbis, and creating opportunities for education, community and fellowship.  Through communal gatherings, educational programs, interfaith exchanges, event sponsorships, rallies and marches, and even simple social interactions — coffees, lunches — we are creating a bond between our communities to unite us against the nihilism and hatred we are seeing all around us.

A young Jewish woman recently told me, “most people don’t know this, but among Jews, we always identify friends we know would hide us if it came to that.” 

The 15 million Jews in the world (.2% of the total population) want to know that they are not alone. A young Jewish woman recently told me, “most people don’t know this, but among Jews, we always identify friends we know would hide us if it came to that.” Christian brothers and sisters, do your Jewish friends think of you as a person who will stand by them? Pastors, does your neighborhood synagogue know you, have your cell phone number, feel they can count on you? 

If not, reach out today.

BE THE GOOD GERMAN.

Patricia Heaton is a three-time Emmy winner best known for playing iconic television moms Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond and Frankie Heck on The Middle.

The Good German Read More »

From Isolation to Acceptance: How One Jewish Artist Found Community and Support in ‘Art World for Israel’

Art, Culture /

Lauren Steinberg felt completely isolated after Oct. 7. Heartbroken by stories of innocent Israelis being murdered, she posted on social media to express her shock and empathy. Instead of receiving acknowledgement and support from people she considered friends, she was canceled.

“They wrote me off,” she said. “They unfriended me on social media and created a distance. Some people that I’ve been closer with, I had verbal confrontation with and felt extremely unheard and villainized. Other people that I worked with professionally as an artist, it’s just been radio silence. I haven’t heard from them. It’s a profound feeling that I’ve been cancelled by them. I no longer receive emails or updates from them, and they no longer reach out to me.”

Steinberg is a photographer and graphic designer who has been part of the Los Angeles art scene for many years. Realizing that people she considered friends were anti-Zionist or even antisemitic shook her to her core. However, when one door closes, another one opens. She discovered she was not the only Jewish artist feeling isolated. This led her to find a new community: Art World for Israel (AWFI).

The group was formed by Ariel Penzer, an activist and philanthropist who noticed the same shameful phenomena of Jewish artists being targeted, dealing with a sharp decline in their art sales and online harassment. 

The group was formed by Ariel Penzer, an activist and philanthropist who noticed the same shameful phenomena of Jewish artists being targeted, dealing with a sharp decline in their art sales and online harassment. Friends had been telling her about their experiences and their feelings of seclusion. That’s how the idea to form a new group of artists began.

“We have people from all around the world: Zimbabwe, Colombia, Europe, and of course the USA. It began as a group chat with a few friends, and they invited friends, and the group kept growing. Now we have 1,200 people; some are writers, journalists, collectors, and painters.”

Penzer said there was a need for community, and people were clamoring to join. “Suddenly, we found other organizations doing amazing things, like Artists 4 Israel, Healing Art Kits and others, and we connected with so many great people around the world.”

The group has been supportive of each other’s projects, attending exhibitions, searching for volunteers to help fellow artists and assisting with new initiatives. “People in this group are always so ready to work and help others,” said Penzer. For her part, Steinberg has been in charge of the newsletter, using her skills as a graphic designer. “It’s just a way for me to give back because I really want to be there for this community and keep it moving forward.”

Steinberg said that a whole new world opened up for her as a result of AWFI. She met new artists and attended art openings she wouldn’t have been aware of without this group. Members also rallied to help fellow artists when they faced injustice and discrimination.

“There was an artist in our group who identifies as “Chilean-Israeli.” She was confronted by a board of a gallery where she was supposed to have a show,” said Steinberg. “They wanted to have a discussion about whether or not it was the ‘right timing’ to move forward with her show because of the political climate. This artist for all intents and purposes has never really spoken out politically. It was just the sheer fact that she identifies as Israeli that was considered problematic and this is a theme that runs through the art world that we’ve seen really come to life.”

Members of AWFI rallied together and wrote a letter in her defense to the art gallery. It worked and the show went on as planned.

British artist Zoe Buckman, a member of AWFI, expressed her frustration in a post on Instagram: “I feel sick to my stomach. A Jewish woman in Paris has been kidnapped and raped by a man who said he did it to ‘avenge Palestine.’ It’s almost as if much of the west has been supporting both rapists (of Jews and now Iranians) and the act of rape itself for over half a year. It’s almost as if we’ve been screaming about this and you all gaslit us into oblivion for it, or just blocked us.”

Steinberg really admires Buckman’s “warrior spirit and the way she’s taken on the internet.”  In February Steinberg found out she’s pregnant with her first child and decided to take time off social media. She felt “it’s unhealthy for my psyche to be taking this fight in a way that feels so futile, but through this group, I feel like I can be active in a more behind the scenes way. It’s why I devote so much time to helping with the newsletter and to making this organization public facing.”

Steinberg and Penzer emphasized that you don’t have to be Jewish to be a part of the group, but you do have to be supportive of Israel and a pro-Zionist.

That is the only requirement,” Steinberg said. “Of course everyone comes out with their own point of view and their own perspective on things, but I think the common thread is that we all have a deep love and empathy for Israel and what our Israeli brothers and sisters are going through right now, especially those that are in the art world.”

From Isolation to Acceptance: How One Jewish Artist Found Community and Support in ‘Art World for Israel’ Read More »

Will It Always Be Oct. 7?

Columnists /

Princeton professor Michael Walzer’s contribution to Kabbalat Shabbat prayers seems especially relevant today, and not just because of last month’s celebration of Pesach. “Standing on the parted shores of history we still believe what we were taught before ever we stood at Sinai’s foot; that wherever we go, it is eternally Egypt …”

I know a rabbi who considers this his least favorite part of Friday night services – he finds it depressing and defeatist.  For him, it is not “eternally Egypt.”  To the contrary, he says, we should revel in our freedom and accomplishments since those terrible times when we were slaves to Pharaoh.  

But if we moved on, why does it say in the Haggadah that “Now we are slaves; next year may we be free?”  Or that it is our duty to regard ourselves as though each of us went forth from Egypt?

If we are supposed to relive our centuries as slaves, must we also relive Oct. 7, the darkest day in post-Shoah Jewish history?  Will it be like the movie “Groundhog Day,” in this case awaking every morning from a peaceful slumber to learn that it is once again Oct. 7, and that our world has been shattered?   

Jay Levy, former Senior Rabbi at The Sephardic Temple in Los Angeles, argues that recalling the past can be an impetus both to action and to understanding.  Imagining that we are slaves in Egypt, he says, reminds us not only to be grateful for today’s privileges but to have empathy for those less fortunate.  

What an inspiring way to think of the world.  So many label the State of Israel – and all Jews – as oppressors, but we shouldn’t lose sight that we have long been among the most oppressed of all peoples, and whenever we are in a position to address the suffering of others, it is a moral imperative that we try to do so.  That isn’t an easy task while the future of our ancient homeland is at stake, and I agree with those who point out that when experiencing severe turbulence, put your own oxygen mask on first. Nonetheless, doing the right thing while you are in a tenuous place seems to matter even more than doing it when you feel safe and secure.

Rabbi Levy raises another consideration that accompanies thinking of ourselves as still being in bondage: that we be vigilant and prepared. He knows families throughout the Jewish Diaspora who have survival bags at the ready, with money, food and passports packed should they be required at a moment’s notice.  Asking whether each day is Oct. 7 is like asking whether each day is Kristallnacht.  Must we live in fear that they will come for us next?

Let’s think ahead to after the war in Gaza ends. We, and Israel, will undoubtedly be forever changed. Is the legacy of the Hamas invasion that we will build reinforced saferooms, either physically or metaphorically, or is it that we are more willing than ever to offer our assistance to those who most need our help?  In my view, it should be both.

Returning to the Haggadah, there is no denying the words “For more than once have they risen against us to destroy us; in every generation they rise against us and seek our destruction.”  If younger Jews thought that those days were long past, Oct. 7 surely shocked them out of their complacency.  And if that threat still seems distant, visit a local college campus to bring it closer to home.

Just as the Bible admonishes us to remember what Amalek did during the exodus from Egypt, violating any semblance of the laws of war with his ruthless barbarity, we must never forget Oct. 7 – not to relive it each day in a terrifying loop, but to know that the price of vigilance shouldn’t be a loss of humanity.

My favorite paragraph in the Haggadah puts it beautifully when we praise G-d for bringing us “out from slavery to freedom, from anguish to joy, from sorrow to festivity, from darkness to great light.”  Seeking that light during these darkest of days is an enormous task, but one worthy of our past and of our future.

Morton Schapiro is the former president of Williams College and Northwestern University.  His most recent book (with Gary Saul Morson) is “Minds Wide Shut:  How the New Fundamentalisms Divide Us.”

Will It Always Be Oct. 7? Read More »

You’re Exactly Where You Need to Be

Columnists /

Before I believed in Hashem, I had so many regrets. As a young adult, I’d look back at things that happened in my past and think, “I was so stupid. How could I have done that?” or “Why did things turn out this way?”

I made so many mistakes, and that’s why my life wasn’t where I wanted it to be. Or at least, that’s what I thought. I wasn’t grateful for the present; I couldn’t see any of the blessings I had or the miracles right in front of my eyes.

I was healthy, and I had a roof over my head, food in my belly and money in my bank account. All of my basic necessities were taken care of. Aside from that, I’d survived drowning as a child and a near-fatal car accident when I was a teenager.  I spent so much of my life in my head, thinking about the past, that I just couldn’t live in the moment. 

Once I started believing in Hashem, not only did I become much more grateful, but I also started living in the present. I accepted where I was at that moment. Everything that led up to it – the mistakes, the senseless things I said, the bad decisions I made – got me to where I was, which was a beautiful place. 

I realized I was exactly where I needed to be.

I’ve met so many people who fixate on the past, especially on one thing that went haywire, and they have trouble getting over it. It haunts them. They can’t move on with their life because of it. 

I understand completely, since I’ve been there. When you’re in that state of mind, you think, “If I could just go back and change that one thing, I’d be in a much better place. I’d be richer/happier/smarter/etc.” But the truth is that Hashem made everything turn out this way for a reason.

Lost money in the stock market on a bad investment? Perhaps you would have blown those earnings on something that wasn’t good for you. Didn’t get that dream job? Maybe once you started working there, you would have hated it. 

Lost money in the stock market on a bad investment? Perhaps you would have blown those earnings on something that wasn’t good for you. Didn’t get that dream job? Maybe once you started working there, you would have hated it. Couldn’t marry your ex? They might have been a horrible match for you. 

It may take time to see why things didn’t play out a certain way. You may never figure out the reason. But you could try to come up with some. And even if you can’t, you have to say: Hashem made my life the way it is now, and He knows what’s best.  

It’s time to accept what happened to you, look at all the blessings you have and move forward. Instead of regretting decisions you made, turn the lessons you learned into a positive and don’t make the same decisions in the future. 

My life now is amazingly blessed – but if I was still in my old state of mind, I wouldn’t be able to see that. I would only see my problems: I don’t own a home! I’m not a size 6! I’m not a bestselling author! It would end up consuming me.

Even on days when things aren’t going as planned, I look at the most basic things in my life that are going well and say, “Hey, I’m breathing. I woke up today. The sun is shining. That’s a wonderful start.”

Life is full of twists and turns – that’s the beauty of it. We can try to plan out our life as best as we can, but if everything turned out exactly right, we’d probably be bored. Plus, we’d assume that we know what is best for us all the time. We do not. It’s our job to try to do what’s best for us according to Hashem’s plan. 

I’m so grateful I stopped living in the past and learned to start appreciating the present. If you’re struggling with this, I hope and pray that you will too, and wake up and see just how incredibly blessed you are as well.

Kylie Ora Lobell is the Community Editor of the Jewish Journal. You can find Kylie on X @KylieOraLobell or Instagram @KylieOraWriter.

You’re Exactly Where You Need to Be Read More »

Raisi v. Satan: The Case for Relocation (A Satire)

Columnists /

The following is a work of satire. What else could it be? Jews do not believe in the Christian version of hell. But we did introduce the world to the concept of an angel named Satan, who is both an instigator of evil, as well as an accuser of wrongdoing in the heavenly court.

I, for one, never thought that someone as powerful as Ebrahim Raisi would meet his end in a remote mountaintop filled with ravenous animals.

As for the subject matter, I, for one, never thought that someone as powerful as Ebrahim Raisi would meet his end in a remote mountaintop filled with ravenous animals. My only hope for readers is that some of the humor below lands well. 

May 19, 2024 (Gregorian calendar)
11 Iyar 5784 (Jewish calendar)
30 Ordibehesht 1403 (Persian calendar)
Somewhere in purgatory (Gehinnom):

Bailiff: Please rise. The Court of the Gehinnom Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division, is now in session, the Honorable Judge G-d presiding.

G-d: Everyone may be seated. Bailiff, since there is no jury but me today, please swear me in. 

Bailiff: 

G-d: Bailiff?

Bailiff: 

G-d: For heaven’s sake, Doug! Please pay attention!

Bailiff: Forgive me, Your Honor. I didn’t think I would see Mr. Raisi here so soon. It’s a lot to take in. 

G-d: I know, but please focus. 

Bailiff (to G-d): Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will truly listen to this case and render a true verdict and a fair sentence as to this defendant?

G-d: That’s it? You don’t even invoke my name anymore when swearing in someone? I’ve waited years for a case like this and I don’t even get to swear to myself?

Bailiff: I’m sorry. It’s the progressives, Your Honor. You may be seated. Today’s case is Satan versus Ebrahim Raisi. Case number 1366-1988.

G-d: Is the prosecution ready?

Satan: Yes, your Honor. I will be representing myself. 

G-d: Is the defense ready?

Ebrahim Raisi: Uh, I’m not—

G-d: Pardon?

Raisi: I’m sorry. I’m not sure what’s happening. I was flying in one of those helicopters and the next thing I knew, I was being pulled down here. May I ask a question?

G-d: Proceed. 

Raisi: Where are the virgins?

G-d: No one explained any of this to you? Bailiff, why was the defendant not properly briefed?

Bailiff: There was no time, your Honor. Satan saw him heading toward hell and immediately demanded a hearing. 

G-d: In that case, the prosecution may offer its opening statements. 

Satan: Your Honor, my name is, well, l don’t have to tell you! I am representing hell in this case. I intend to ensure that Mr. Raisi is not allowed into a specific layer of hell and instead, that he be relocated somewhere else. Thank you. 

G-d: The defense may offer its opening statements.

Raisi: Uh, your Honor, my name is Ebrahim Raisolsadati, also known as [former] Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. And I don’t know where else to go, so in the words of millions of Iranians who despised me, I guess I’m here to be granted permission to go to hell. 

G-d: Prosecution, you may call your first witness. 

Bailiff (whispering): Your Honor, there are no witnesses. Satan has a tennis match with Mao Zedong in 15 minutes and just wants a quick verdict. 

Satan: Your Honor, I only need five minutes. If I may speak, here’s how it all happened: I was working on a new hummus recipe (because my introduction of chocolate hummus to the world a few years ago really took off) when Sergio ran into my office and started screaming, “The Butcher of Tehran is here! The Butcher is here!”

G-d: Who is Sergio?

Satan: He’s my new chief-of-staff. I had to fire the old one because he kept forwarding me messages from recently-arrived Hamas members who were [also] asking incessantly about virgins. 

G-d: You fired Harry? That’s too bad. I liked him. He always said, “G-d bless you” whenever I sneezed and I always responded, “I will!”

Satan: Well, he’s gone. As I was saying, Sergio came in screaming like all hell’s broken loose. I haven’t heard anyone scream like that since Saddam Hussein arrived in 2006. And Sergio started yelping about “The Butcher” —

Raisi: Objection, your Honor. I ask that “Butcher” be stricken from the record.

G-d: Wasn’t that your nickname among many Iranians?

Satan: Yes, your Honor! Yes, it was. His regime is the world’s number one state sponsor of terror! You can’t even imagine the low-lives he collaborated with on earth. 

And he was nicknamed “The Butcher of Iran” because he and his cronies killed tens of thousands of political prisoners in a few months. He ordered the deaths of so many people that prisoners were loaded onto forklift trucks — six-by-six — and every 30 minutes, hanged by cranes! I remember watching it all from hell back in ’88 and gasping.

Raisi: Objection!

G-d: On what grounds?

Raisi: Yes, they were hung in 30-minute intervals, but I really don’t remember using so many cranes. 

G-d: I’ll allow it. Prosecution, please proceed. And help me understand something: What, exactly, are you seeking here today?

Satan: Your Honor, it’s simple: We haven’t had someone this evil in hell in a long time. This guy wants to enter L1 (Level 1) of hell, but that’s utterly impossible. 

G-d: Why?

Satan: He’s too evil! He’s an L8 (at least)! If he enters L1, he’ll contaminate all the normies!

G-d: The normies?

Satan: Yes, the ones who come down to hell for your run-of-the-mill stuff. You know, like petty theft, lying under oath or continuing to make “Ghostbusters” sequels. I can’t have a guy like Raisi in L1! It tarnishes the whole concept of justice in the afterlife. Pretty soon, L9s and L10s will be demanding to be relocated to upper floors for gentler punishments. 

G-d: But you’re Satan. 

Satan (smiling devilishly and filing his nails with a nail file): I know.

G-d: Why don’t you just relocate him to L8 yourself?

Satan (sighing): I can’t anymore. 

G-d: The progressives?

Satan: Yes.

G-d: I see. It is therefore the verdict of this court to sentence Ebrahim Raisi to an eternity in L—

Raisi: Your Honor, may I say something?

G-d: Proceed. 

Raisi: I don’t really want to go to L1; I know I belong in L8, as Satan is requesting. 

G-d: Then why are you arguing your case before me?

Raisi: Look, I didn’t want to say it, but I really don’t want to go to the worst levels of hell because I hear that’s where all of the world’s most murderous dictators are sent. 

Satan: What’s wrong with that? I should think you would want to be taken more seriously.

Raisi: I know. But don’t you remember that old saying? Never meet your heroes.

Tabby Refael is an award-winning writer, speaker and weekly columnist for The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Follow her on X and Instagram @TabbyRefael.

Raisi v. Satan: The Case for Relocation (A Satire) Read More »

Sacrifice Works Both Ways

Columnists /

If and when Israel and Hamas are able to achieve a temporary ceasefire and hostage release agreement, the international conversation will then turn to a long-term peace. Which means the pressure on Israel to accept a two-state solution is about to dramatically increase.

The coercion is already becoming more intense. The nations of Norway, Ireland and Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state this week, joining 140 other United Nations member states who have already done so. This follows last month’s otherwise-unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council to support Palestinian membership (except for the United States veto, the vote was 12-0 with one abstention) and the more recent order from the International Court of Justice for Israel to cease its military operation in Rafah.

The vise is tightening and will only get tighter. Even stalwart allies like the U.S. and Great Britain have made it clear they want a two-state solution too, although they correctly note that it should be the product of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. While Benjamin Netanyahu regularly proclaims his willingness to stand alone in the fight against Hamas, the long-term likelihood of a Palestinian state is undoubtedly growing. 

But right now, the pressure is focused in only one direction. While Israel is expected to risk the safety and security of its people through such a major concession, no comparable ultimatums have been placed on the Palestinians. A two-state solution requires both states to give something of value to them, but what are the Palestinians giving? To this point, the answer is absolutely nothing. Even the 20th century formulation of “land for peace” is no longer part of the conversation.

But the solution is not complicated. If Israel is to recognize a Palestinian state, then the Palestinians should be obligated to recognize Israel – as a Jewish state. In the past, the Palestinian Authority has recognized Israel’s existence (but not its right to exist). However, it no longer takes even that step. Hamas has indicated that they might accept Israel on an “interim” basis. Both have made it clear that they will never formally consent to a Jewish state even with pre-1967 borders.

Netanyahu’s critics have accused him in the past of using such a requirement as a way of avoiding serious negotiations. But if Israel is to have any confidence that a Palestinian state would not simply be a launching pad for constant warfare and that there would be even the possibility of peaceful co-existence between two neighboring countries, recognition of a Jewish state seems like a reasonable request to provide that minimal assurance. 

In addition to the growing number of sticks, Israel is also being offered one potentially valuable carrot: Saudi Arabia is ready to sign a formal agreement with Israel to establish a regional anti-Iran coalition. But the Saudis require that Israel commit to a pathway toward Palestinian statehood in order to move forward with a formal deal.

It’s important to note that the Saudis are not demanding the immediate establishment of a Palestinian state to sign on, but rather a commitment from Israel’s leaders to work toward that goal. This creates an opportunity for Israel to join such a process only under the condition that it also includes Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. It would shift the diplomatic debate from the current singular focus on Israel to one that imposes difficult requirements on the Palestinians as well. At the very least, it would remind the rest of the world that both sides should be held to similarly demanding standards.

To date, the discussion has been only about Israel’s need to sacrifice. Expanding that conversation to set comparable expectations for Palestinian leaders would create a balance that can set the stage for potentially productive negotiations. 

To date, the discussion has been only about Israel’s need to sacrifice. Expanding that conversation to set comparable expectations for Palestinian leaders would create a balance that can set the stage for potentially productive negotiations. 

There will never be a way to guarantee that a Palestinian state would respect Israel’s borders, its existence and its Jewish identity. But without some type of public assurance, our only guarantee would be of never-ending war, terrorism and bloodshed. So such recognition should be a necessary next step toward a meaningful peace process.

Dan Schnur is the U.S. Politics Editor for the Jewish Journal. He teaches courses in politics, communications, and leadership at UC Berkeley, USC and Pepperdine. He hosts the monthly webinar “The Dan Schnur Political Report” for the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall. Follow Dan’s work at www.danschnurpolitics.com.

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