Israel, Jewish World, Networks and Identity

This edition of Paths to Peoplehood is dedicated to the war in Gaza and its effects upon Jewish Peoplehood. Anshel Pfeffer describes in Haaretz a wide spectrum of reactions of Jews outside Israel towards Israeli policy during the war. These range from indifference to involvement, from all out criticism to blind support. Among the general public in Europe there was strong disapproval of Israel's actions. As Max Socol reported in the Jerusalem Post, there is disagreement as to whether the anti-Israeli activity in Europe is anti-Semitic or simply anti-Israeli. Socol also reports on the rallies in support of Israel that took place in some European capitals. Daniel Gordis remembers how, when he was still living abroad, it was difficult for him to be far away from Israel at troubled times such as these. In a Jerusalem Post editorial he suggests that each Jewish community purchase a house in Israel and make a point of having it inhabited by community members throughout the year. He feels that experiencing daily life in Israel will strengthen the connection of these Jews to Israel.

On the American Jewish political scene, the Jewish liberal lobbying group J-Street came under fire for issuing a statement in the first days of the war that called for a cease fire and "saw elements of truth on both sides". Various writers including Shmuel Rosner and Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, criticized J-Street for what they saw as a lack of support for Israel. Rosner sums up the conversation and provides links to other opinion holders. Next we bring J-Street's response, through their website, to Rabbi Yoffie's critique.

Finally, following reports from the current conflict in Gaza of religious as well as secular soldiers expressing their connection to Judaism in various ways before going into battle, Koldorian, Ari Engelberg, writes about "Jewish Peoplehood at the front" as he experienced it in Israel's previous conflict – the Second Lebanon War. Ari is the editor of this newsletter, however, the opinions expressed in his article are his alone.