Shalom, Eric
Well, I asked you not to answer my email, but you did (I knew you would, but I had to ask) – mercifully, your email was very short. But still disturbing! Do I have to drive to T-burg and take your shoelaces, belt, and the knives in your kitchen and hide them? Seriously man, give me a call – immediately, if what you wrote is the true state of things.
Barring that, let's get right back to 3, and call it, for the sake of clarity, 3b
3b. You do and have hated the concept of the Third Way, but if you look at this closely, there is no other option for Jews like you and me. We are Americans – neither radically pro-Zionist nor anti-Zionist. We hardly think of the Jewish state at all! We look on with horror as events unfold there, as the moral beings we are – but we are people caught in the middle. But do we look on with any special horror? Right now ethnic cleansing, murder, and sexual crimes (mass rapes) are happening in Sudan. But no one pays attention. Where is their special horror? Why is this catastrophe a lower moral priority for American Jews than Israel Palestine? Ask yourself that. But on to the main topic: Why are we in the middle? We belong to the first, or second-largest Jewish community in the world (depending on who is counting and how). And despite our numbers and influence, look at what the American Jew has become. Either you are a cheerleader for Israel – and that is your primary Jewish Identity. Or you find the Jewish state, and its actions, and even the fact that one exists, morally wrong, or repugnant. But why must we be in either of those camps? I know this dichotomy causes you much pain. Let’s examine it a bit.
3c. If you are in either camp, you are bound to Zionism – either for or against. You tell me stories of the minyan you belong to, and a great deal of energy is spent on justice for the Palestinians. OK. That is noble. But on the other side of town are the Jews you talk about (not at your shul) who hang their primary identity as Jews as Zionists. Some, not all, do not consider anti-Zionist Jews, Jews, or more graciously, but still a nasty, mean-spirit, self-hating Jews. As you know, I reject the entire structure. From A-Z. That is why we need the Third Way. We need to create an authentic progressive Judaism (really Judaisms) right here in America. We need our way. A Third Way. Why should we be tethered to a place we have never been? Why must be Jews in the very place where our shoes touch the ground.
4. Let’s tackle four tomorrow. It is getting late. Well, Sunday or Monday, after Shabbos. What will I say: what does the Third Way look like? Well, preview [!] we are already doing it, but not calling it such. So, I will leave you with that. But I do want you to rest on the day of rest. And I don’t just mean just your body – I mean your heart and soul. The way you are heading now, well, it is not good my friend. I say this out of the deep love I have for you. You are so kind and generous… please treat yourself the same way! Love & Shalom: JD
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