Interview / Rahm Emanuel's ex-rabbi disagrees with Obama's policies
'I know Obama, Emanuel believe what they are doing is good for Israel, rabbi Asher Lopatin tells Haaretz.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Jewish World Zionism Israel news"I disagree with many policies of the Obama administration, but I know that President Barack Obama and [White House Chief of Staff] Rahm Emanuel believe that what they are doing is good for Israel," says Rabbi Asher Lopatin, who for the past 15 years has been the spiritual leader of one of Chicago's most active Jewish communities, the Anshe Sholom Bnai Israel congregation.
"Rahm is a tough guy - and I'm not sure he's the best diplomat," he adds, "but I think that ultimately they think what they are doing is good for Israel."
Emanuel had to leave the community when he began began working in the White House, and later moved his family from Chicago to Washington, but Lopatin still sends them occasional e-mail messages.
In fact, the rabbi does not plan to remain in Chicago for long himself. Two weeks ago, community leaders sent a letter to members announcing the rabbi's intention to leave in the summer of 2011. They also asked for the community's support for his plans to settle in the Negev.
Some members have expressed an interest in joining the project. At present, the rabbi is traveling around the United States, speaking to various communities and trying to recruit new immigrants - particularly young couples to join him in making the desert flourish. Lopatin plans to establish the community in Carmit, about a 15-minute drive north of Be'er Sheva, where many Americans will live and where he hopes to head a successful community like he did in Chicago.
"I've been planning to make aliya for several years," he says. "I'm a modern Orthodox rabbi in America, I love being a rabbi, but saying every day that Jews should go back to Israel, well, it's time for me to do that. We have four children and our oldest is 8 now, so I want to make sure that we get to Israel before she is too old and it's too difficult for her."
Top-25 rabbi
Lopatin did some serious investigative work before deciding to set up his own community in Israel. In Chicago, he started off with a community of some 90 families which he expanded to several hundred; he also opened a school and conducted a flourishing debate with communities from other streams of Judaism. Eventually, he was named by Newsweek as one of the 25 most influential rabbis in the United States. Now he's planning to recreate this success in Israel.
"What I do best is being a community rabbi," Lopatin says. "In Israel there are lots of people who are talking about the need for community rabbis, who will reach out, talk to people, build a community, connect people - not just a rabbi who answers their questions about kashrut."
In Israel, officials from the Jewish National Fund showed him the site where Carmit is set to be built. "This is a community where we want to bring American Jews," they told him. "Bringing Americans to the Negev will change the image of the Negev for Israelis as well."
Lopatin wants to ensure that several principles will be upheld in Carmit. "I'm a modern Orthodox rabbi and I am really interested in pluralism and diversity - not just reaching out to the Orthodox, but to religious and secular, non-religious, different religions. [I want to see] people of different economic levels, Ashkenazim, Sephardim, Americans, religious and non-religious." To close the deal, the rabbi must buy the land by the summer of 2010 and start building the following year; his ultimate objective is to set up a community of 2,600 families.
Lopatin says he is not afraid of the Negev heat. "I've been there in the summer, and it was great. Coming from Chicago - I'm looking out on this really cold day - it's lovely." Nor is he put off by concerns regarding employment. "[Carmit] is 15 minutes from Be'er Sheva," he says, "and on Route 6 it's less than an hour from Ramat Aviv. It's an hour from Jerusalem. Everyone is saying that more and more jobs will be moving down to the Negev, there is a science park that will be built in Be'er Sheva, the universities, hospitals, [even] the army is moving down."
Lopatin is also looking into eco-tourism. He has already spoken with a number of developers about constructing environmentally friendly homes, as they would like to bring in residents who care about the surroundings, he says.
Lopatin lived in Israel as a child and later spent a year studying here as well. His studies focused on Islam and Arabic philosophy of the Middle Ages and he conducted research on the approaches of Islamic fundamentalism toward Judaism. As a result, the rabbi developed some nonconformist ideas, such as "one state, democratic, Jewish and Palestinian."
According to his philosophy, there would first be "a moratorium on the demolition of Arab houses in Jerusalem, in exchange for official U.S. recognition of the right to build for natural Jewish growth in Jewish settlements in the West Bank." This would be followed by "the immediate return of Gilad Shalit; release of Palestinian prisoners; U.S. commuting Jonathan Pollard and sending him to Israel."
Ultimately, he envisages a situation where Jews and Arabs will live anywhere they desire in the Land of Israel - the Jews will be able to live in all quarters of the Old City, and if they wish also in Bethlehem, Nablus and Gaza, while the Palestinians will be able to purchase property, not only in the West Bank but also in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and anywhere else. The Law of Return, he believes, should be applicable not only to Jews but also to Arabs. Israel, he says, would be able to improve its demographic balance "by letting in potentially millions of Africans, Asians and South Americans who self-identify as Jewish even if they cannot prove their Jewish descent."
Lopatin laughs and adds, "Well I don't want any of my crazy politics to jeopardize this project, but I believe strongly that if someone declares he is Jewish, basically people who want to be Jewish, let them in. Now I want to start bringing American Jews to the Negev and beyond that, there are lots of possibilities."
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White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was active in Chicago Jewish community. |
| Photo by: (Reuters) |
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I have news for Rabbi Lopatin: Emanuel & Obama's job is to do what is good for the USA, not to do what is good for Israel. If those two ideas coinicide, fine, but there may be times when they do not.
just out of curiosity where does this "Abundant water" come from ? The West Bank? from anywhere east of the 67 line ? My arent you soo free in giving water from those who arent allowed to use their own water
I wish you all the best in the fullfillment of your dream to walk on the land every day. There are aquaducts in the Negev that were built by the ancient Nabateans. With G-d's help and your determination we might need to direct the abundant water in the "dry land" once again.
The release of Jonathan Pollard? Never. He is a traitor to his country, the United States of America. He didn't spy as an ideologue or as an Israeli, he spied for cash. He spied for South Africa and tried to spy for Pakistan, no ally of Israel. Jonathan Pollard should sit in prison and send a message to the world: don't spy on the United States. His release should be non-negotiable.
You can only be a jew if your mother was a jew but it is illegal for a jewish mother to carry a Torah. Go figure. "In November, WoW member Nofrat Frankel, a Conservative Jew, was briefly detained by police for wearing a talit - prayer shawl - and carrying a Torah. The offense can carry a maximum sentence of six months jail and a fine of about $3,000."
You are Jewish if your mother is Jewish, period.
Yes, I can. For one, Americans did not "kill off" millions of Indians-there are over 120 tribes in the U.S., all of whom are alive today to complain about their plight and rake in billions in casino revenues.
Its sad to think that so many of us think that there is no point to dreaming big anymore. The State of Israel is built on tensions and creative thinking-if no one dared to dream we would be facing a much different reality.
Keep Rabbi Lopatin Away From Politics We all know that mixing religion and politics is dangerous for world peace. Lopatins and Bin Laden's might be knowledgeable in terms of their religions but when they move into politics we end up with extremism. In case of imam Bin Laden it is an Islamic terrorism encompassing the whole world. In case of rabbi Lopatin it is useless Communist utopia. The religious "sages" often confuse simpletons like Rahm and Obama.
"Are you stupid or just awfully uninformed...." Neither! You need to save your history lesson for someone who cares. You seem to be a bit dense not to appreciate the sarcasm in my remarks. I already know of the wonderful record of Jews IN AMERICA - of their support and fight for equality for all and their outstanding record in fighting against religious and racial prejudice - not to mention a few other worthy or not so worthy causes. The issue is ISRAEL, the record of Jews in ISRAEL fighting for such high ideals as equality and democracy FOR ALL. The good Rabbi refers to such ideals as "crazy politics", I believe its worse than crazy politics, its heresy - as a few posters here confirmed. NO sane person, much less a historian can defend Israel's record on civil rights, equality and democracy for all. Are you kidding me? American Jews helped blacks achieve civil rights but the same American Jews are helping Israel deny basic rights to Arabs. Sadly, it nullifies their good deeds in America as self-serving or worse, they are hypocrites.
American Jews do so much to help Israel over the decades...why bash them. Also Non-Jewish Americans do a lot to help Israel..money military aid, vetos in UNSC, joint military exercises, rejecting Goldstone report, etc, etc. America is Israel's best friend..you don't get it. We are getting tired of this craziness from people like you.
... having worked on a subject endemic to the Negev for several years... ... your info is all the more relevant to encouraging settlement in the Negev...
Dear friend, maybe you should get out of Tel Aviv and visit the rest of your country. There have been Jews living in the Negev for many years. A friend of mine worked on a kibbutz there over 30 years ago. That kibbutz today provides award winning olive oil which is even exported to the US and Canada. I visited a goat farm, making cheese that I can buy online here in Florida. There is a kosher winery outside Beer Sheva, that also wins awards. The only problem Jews have in the Negev is the absence of fresh water, but there is an underlying flow of brackish water which sustains certain species. And the Israeli government supplies fresh water through pipelines to the Bedouin and Jews living there
America Inadians, the Natives whom white European settlers killed en masse and marginalized the survivors to Butistan like Reserves. So What do you propose to do about it. Go back to Negev, Sinai, Sothern Jordan (occupied by Hashemite rules bought from Saudi Arabian Penisula by the Biish colonialists) If you and millions of immigrants to US reserve the right to live on stolen land (stolen from Native American Indians) then Jews have the right to live in their historical homeland to escape 2000 year old bias and prosecussion. Can you respond.
Cipora, I am all for good people who are Jews coming to live in Israel. When this good man comes to live in Israel, we can argue and reason with him. He does not aspire to implement anything overnight. His Jewish credentials are impecable.
..Of course any Jewish American like any Its against the law in US to discriminate based on religion or race or ethnic background.Jewish Amercans were always in forfront of racial and religious equality strugles.Most white US citizens who supported NAACP and Martin Luther King were Jewish Ameiricans who often paid with their lives.The Mississippi civil rights workers murders involved the 1964 slayings of three political activists during the American Civil Rights Movement.The murders of James Chaney,a 21-year-old black man from Meridian,Mississippi;Andrew Goodman,a 20-year-old white Jewish anthropology student from New York;and Michael Schwerner,a 24-year-old white Jewish CORE organizer and former social worker also from NY,symbolized the risks of participating in the Civil Rights Movement in the South during what became known as "Freedom Summer",dedicated to voter registration.The case symbolize the dedication of Jews to equality.It was and is always the case for Jews.Arabs can learn..
I know it's anathema to you, but perhaps it wouldn't be the worst thing if some people in Israel spread the American idea that it is wrong to discriminate against anyone because of their religion. There is a theoretical basis for believing that it is just as wrong to discriminate for Jews as it is to discriminate against them.
I like the idea of a pluralist rabbi coming to Israel and trying to build a community. Yes, I agree that Israel needs more community rabbis and I wholeheartedly agree with Lopatin's stand on accepting people as Jews if they identify as Jews. The Eurocentrism inherent in the way that people are accepted as Jews or not when coming from other countries is INSANE here. However, I feel a bit sorry for Lopatin and anyone who follows him over here. This place is not at all pluralist and idealists get chewed up and spit out by the reality here. A big influx of Americans in one Negev city isn't going to change that.
I wouldn't support this guy even if I was a multi-billionaire. His political views are ridiculous--oh yeah, let's let all the "Palestinian" prisoners go free. Uhu. We should also let them live anywhere because it's not like they will still want us all dead...not like they want nothing more than to wipe any Jewish state off the map, along with all of the world's Jewry...WAKE UP, MR "INFLUENTIAL RABBI".
my post was perfectly clear. are you by any chance advocating a one state solution? that is what this rahm emmanuel rabbi advocates. he wants to turn israel into a country modeled on the u.s. why would he want to come to israel if he wants to turn israel into a u.s. clone? i do wonder. maybe that is what obama secretly wishes for. who knows. the world is upside down. the world is definitely crazy.
" but I know that President Barack Obama and [White House Chief of Staff] Rahm Emanuel believe that what they are doing is good for Israel," says Rabbi Asher Lopatin, " Ok, Rabbi, but what do you say when that thug Rhamulan doesn't have a gun in your back. If Obama and Emanual are good for israel, HAM AND CHEESE ARE OK ON ROSH HASHONAH.
That's ok then, maybe now interview his house maid or dentist for their views too because they will make as much difference as his ex-rabbis since they have no sway over him. Alternatively everyone can hope that the rabbis views have been 'pressed' enough onto Emanuels retinas to make him pro-Israeli. Next story pls....
... so you would limit USA Jewish immigration to Israel, because you don't fancy their political stance...?!
Why don't YOU leave Tel Aviv and if not Judea or Samaria, move to the Galilee or the Negev? We put our money where our mouths are, and thank G-d, are succeeding. You should too. Or is Zionism only for the religious these days?
before coming here those families should have to study history and know about the ancient inhabitant of the Neguev, the beduins, who have very hard times because the State is doing what is possible to put them away from their native land. When I read all this things i sort to think about cowboys and hollywood cinema, it is hard to believe that palestinians people are fighting and suffering so many years and with money those americans can come and feel that they are conquestering the Neguev... My God!!!!!!
anyone who thinks that israeli's fought and died for their country's survival so that spoiled american jews should come and destroy it from the inside are most certainly crazy. israel is, and will remain forever, a jewish state. american jews, including lopatin, should understand this very simple concept.
... hope and pray that the WB settlers follow suite...
Or is it ONLY for those that are Jewish? I think we all know the answer to that.
I want to see more crazy politics in Israel. I wish this Rabbi all the best in making the desert bloom. I'm not sure which is a greater challenge, making the desert bloom or making Israel a true democracy. My guess is, you can squeeze blood out of a rock before Israel becomes a true democracy. In any case, I personally don't find anything wrong with this kind of "Zionism" that aims to build without first destroying. I would only insist a litmus test be given to these American Jews wishing to come to settle here. One simple question, if an Arab-American was the highest bidder to purchase their home back in America, will they sell it to that person or not? If no, maybe not a good idea to come settle here.
The new community violates Israel's planning principles. We're not supposed to be building new communities. The only reason we do so are 1) to keep out the Bedouin and 2) to make elitist communities where members can "select" their neighbors and keep out the "riff-raff".
This guy is dangerous. He believes in a one state solution with a mixed Palestinian and IDF army, joint control of the land- sure suicide. He spoke in our shul and put forward these crazy ideas. No one should support him financially or otherwise.