John Ruskay and Irwin J. Mansdorf: What Does it Mean to be Pro-Israel?

[additional-authors]

Shmuel Rosner

August 18, 2020

Shmuel Rosner, John Ruskay and Irwin J. Mansdorf discuss the meaning of being pro Israel, supporting Israel as an American Jew and more.

Irwin J. (Yitzchak) Mansdorf is a clinical psychologist and a fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs specializing in political psychology.

John S. Ruskay is executive vice president emeritus of UJA-Federation of New York, a senior partner of JRB consulting services, and a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute. He served as a commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom from May 2016 to May 2018. Ruskay is an author and lecturer on issues affecting the Jewish people.

Follow Shmuel Rosner on Twitter.

Did you enjoy this article?

You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review

Marion Haberman

The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC

Tabby Refael

What Ever Happened to the LA Times?

Dan Schnur

Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?

Ryan Torok

You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House

Marion Haberman

No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center

Larry Greenfield

Latest Articles

Did Trump and Bibi Lose to a Strait Flush?

David Suissa

Pasadena Magazine: Sailing Tahiti in Style on Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze

Lisa Ellen Niver

Regime Change, Interrupted

Thane Rosenbaum

An Israeli Leftist Gets Mugged by Reality

David Suissa

Sinai Temple Gala, Black-Jewish Entertainment Alliance, ‘Jewish Tomorrow’ Podcast

Jewish Journal Staff

Have You Found Your Mission?

Chaim Steinmetz

Artificial Everything: The More AI Grows, the Blander it Becomes

June 12, 2026

Only humans can create things from scratch. Machines are brilliant at taking that “scratch” and running with it, but if there’s no human content in its digital brain, a machine is useless in front of a blank page.

Small Eyes – A poem for Parsha Sh’lach

June 11, 2026

So they knew where it was this whole time…

A Bisl Torah — A Real Graduation Message

June 11, 2026

We are meant to be learners. Our values guide our path, and our curious, thoughtful questions lead to a greater understanding of who we are meant to become.

A Moment in Time: “29 Years in the Rabbinate”

June 11, 2026

Moses Found Brevity to be the Soul of Levity and Wit

June 11, 2026

Sleepless in Jerusalem, Mad About the Knicks

June 11, 2026

I’ve been a sports nut my whole life, so it was no big deal to be up in the middle of the night to follow a major sporting event.

Print Issue: Is History Asking Too Much of Us? | June 12, 2026

June 11, 2026

The question for the Jewish people today is not merely whether we believe in the future but whether we are willing to become the kind of people that the future requires.

Jonah Platt Brings Jewish Identity Conversation to Cedars-Sinai Rooftop

June 11, 2026

This marked J-STAR’s second event overall, with this gathering held in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month.

Voice Actor Jeff Bergman on Replacing Don Rickles in ‘Toy Story 5’

June 11, 2026

“We very much want to keep the spirit and the essence of that iconic character that Rickles created.”

Why I Cried Watching ‘Crossing Delancey’ Performed Live on Stage

June 11, 2026

As I left the theater, wiping my eyes, I felt renewed gratitude for traditions that slow us down enough to truly see one another.

Miznon Expands with New West Third St. Location and a Kosher Restaurant, Malka

June 11, 2026

The concept, brought to life by Israeli chef Eyal Shani, is deceptively simple: pita as a canvas, filled with everything from lamb kebab and rib-eye minute steak to schnitzel and their signature candy steak, overnight seared brisket, aioli, mustard, pickles, tomato, and red onion.

A Magical Potato Carpet Ride

June 11, 2026

Who doesn’t love potatoes? And this potato carpet recipe is sure to satisfy the potato lovers in your life.

Sushi Day Recipes with Marisa Baggett

June 11, 2026

Whether you’re a longtime sushi lover or a newbie to preparing this creative cuisine, Baggett’s recipes are a delicious way to mark the holiday.

Table for Five: Shlach

June 11, 2026

Spying Out The Land

What Antisemitism Requires of Us

June 10, 2026

The current Jewish debate cannot end with a choice between fighting antisemites and strengthening Jewish life. Both are necessary, but neither fully answers what this moment requires.

Is History Asking Too Much of Us?

June 10, 2026

The question for the Jewish people today is not merely whether we believe in the future but whether we are willing to become the kind of people that the future requires.

Rosner’s Domain | Can Israel’s Image Be Fixed?

June 10, 2026

Israelis view themselves as fighting for survival, just, fair, moral and brave, while the rest of the world sees something else entirely, viewing Israel as a country that has lost its brakes, destabilizing the order and running amok without justification.

John Ruskay and Irwin J. Mansdorf: What Does it Mean to be Pro-Israel?

Shmuel Rosner

Did you enjoy this article?

You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.