In this Issue
Ari Shavit's recent interview with former JAFI chairman Avrum Burg on his new book "Defeating Hitler" in Haaretz aroused much controversy due to Burg’s statement of divorce from Zionist ideology. This issue of Paths to Peoplehood opens with that interview followed by two responses written by leading Jewish thinkers, and a review of a book that, like Burg's, sees the Diaspora existence as the essence of Judaism. Yet while Burg and his detractors debate whether Diaspora or the land of Israel is the core of Jewish existence, others question the very necessity of Jewish Peoplehood - we bring here the opening statements in a debate on this subject taking place on the Jewcy website.
Other sections in this newsletter deal with issues that touch upon Jewish Peoplehood in a less direct manner, but nevertheless affect the attitudes of individuals towards the Jewish collective. This includes issues such as the gay parade in Jerusalem and the struggle being lead by movements who claim that Jews should be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount. We close the issue on a more conciliatory note tuning in to the life stories of Jews, some more well known and some less, for whom being part of the Jewish People is a meaningful part of their lives.
The Burg debate - Diasporism vs. Israel centrality:
Ari Shavit’s interview of former JAFI Chairman Burg aroused much controversy, and began a chain of reactions revolving around the subjects of Zionism and Jewish Peoplehood. |
The Jewcy debate:
While Burg and his detractors debate whether Diaspora or Israel is the core of Jewish existence, others question the necessity of Jewish Peoplehood altogether. |
The State of European Jewry:
Often Jewish Peoplehood discussions concentrate on Israel and the U.S., these two articles discuss the viability of European Jewry. |
Current events in Israel of relevance for Jewish identity:
How the gay parade in Jerusalem and the permission granted by Zionist Religious rabbis for Jews to ascend the Temple Mt. may influence attitudes towards Judaism. |
Opinion:
Is social justice the soul of Judaism? Can American Jews be described as espousing multiple loyalties? Steven Weiss relates to the first question, Yehudah Mirsky to the second. |
The Jewish world, society, culture & literature:
Bethamie Horowitz describes “How Jews Became Not Just White Folks.” Mandy Katz chronicles Albert Einstein's life, and Elizabeth Rosner tells a story based on her own life. |
Edited by Ari Engelberg
Graphics and presentation by Keren Elkayam