🧵- the hardest thing that I have ever written.
I never thought I would say what I am about to say.
I never thought I would say what I am about to say.
I want to be clear that this post represents my views and not any organization with which I am affiliated or have been affiliated. I have spent, and will continue to spend, my professional life, seeking to advocate for Jewish unity and connecting all Jews to Israel and each other
Since October 7, when 1,400 Jews were slaughtered, I have been overwhelmed by the unity and support for Israel of the global Jewish community. I have spent every day fielding phone calls and meeting with American Jews who want to do all they can for their fellow Jews in Israel.
Indeed, it has been this response from American Jews, that along with the bravery and sacrifice of the Israeli people, that has given me the strength to function as a professional and a human being.
I have also seen another group of American Jews. They are a minority, a fringe, but they are vocal and make their voices heard in a disproportionate manner. These include, but are not limited to, members of @IfNotNowOrg &@jvplive
To be very clear, I am not talking about American Jews who have expressed sympathy for Palestinians or have criticized Israeli policies.
I am also sympathetic. I have also been critical.
I am also sympathetic. I have also been critical.
I am talking about American Jews who say that killing the act of 1,400 Jews was consistent with the “Palestinian right to resist” and blamed Israel for the loss of life,
I am talking about American Jews who proudly use a heroic image of a paraglider – lionizing the Hamas murders who came into Israel and murdered and tortured their fellow Jews.
I am talking about American Jews who call Israelis Nazis and accuse them of acts of genocide - knowing full well and even relishing the hurtfulness of those terms.
I am talking about American Jews who question whether the atrocities committed against Jews are accurate or propaganda and use phrases and terms that sound remarkably like Holocaust deniers.
I am talking about American Jews who have taken down pictures of Israeli hostages.
I could go on...
I could go on...
I have reached a sad conclusion. As much as I would not like to give up on a single Jew, I have given up on them. For me, they are deserving of “cherem” (formal exclusion from the Jewish people)
There will be a time in the future to wonder about how such people could have emerged from our community. It should involve introspection as to Jewish and Israel education. But for now, there is nothing to be done with them.
Unlike Hamas who would have joyously murdered them on October 7, I do not consider them Jews.
I hope that some day they see what they have become and offer some repentance. I am not that religious a person, but I do pray that God forgives them for their actions. I, for one, do not believe that I ever will.
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