ANALYSIS: There isn't much to talk about at this year's GA - Haaretz

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Tue., November 13, 2007 Kislev 3, 5768

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Last update - 00:34 13/11/2007

ANALYSIS: There isn't much to talk about at this year's GA

By Shmuel Rosner

tags: GA, Israel

1.

The yearly gathering of the American Jewish Federations (GA) is something that can be considered a new Jewish ritual. This is the topic of my weekly discussion with Vanessa Ochs, which you can read here. "Two forces have influenced the abundance of ritual innovation", she writes in her book. "The first is the spiritual stance shaped by democracy and open access, and the second is the dramatic change brought by Jewish feminism".

I'm afraid it's hard to find either of them at the GA.

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2.

There is no exciting theme in this year's GA. Not a war, like there was last year (Lebanon), not a Hurricane (Katrina) like two years ago. Lacking such catastrophe, Jews go back to their business-as-usual mode of operation.

It is the meeting of the professional Jewish guild - emphasis on the "professional" much more than the "Jewish". Would you buy a used car from these seemly honest people? They will also give you a bargain on their used religion. Just pull out the checkbook and make a donation first.

3.

There is a lot of talk here about getting the younger generation of American Jews to be more involved in the Federation system. The latest study dealing with the younger generation and its detachment from Israel is repeatedly mentioned. The leaders of the United Jewish Communities (UJC) seem genuinely interested in having this younger voice, but also seem somewhat at a loss when it comes to practicalities.

So here is one humbled advice: Don't try to make the Jewish Federations a "cool" thing. This can't work, won't work, and it makes you look pathetic. As well-meaning as you might be, the Federations have a role to play: you are the "system", the "behemoth". You can't be cool, not even in sunny Nashville.

And you know what? That's ok. Like a Tennessee basketball coach told the gathering yesterday: Find something that you're good at, and do it great (fundraising? again?).

4.

Birthright is a topic that is raised here in almost every forum. Look how successful this program is, the Federation people keep bragging. And this is the case not just here. In every community all over America, Federation fundraisers use Birthright as their best tool for making people open their wallets.

So - why not just give Birthright more money as they want? Oh, because it's not really yours?

5.

The profile of Israel in this GA is fairly low. Some Israelis I met here expressed disappointment and even anger over this. But I don't think that's a tragedy. Last year was all about Israel, next year is in Israel (GA Jerusalem). Spoiled Israelis should give the Americans some time to deal with their own problems.

6.

Two years ago, attending the GA in Toronto I wrote this:

It seems as if a new trend is emerging which some here think is nice, and some (but not as many, I would guess) find a little troubling: comparing the tribe of Israel to other small tribes around the world that are on the verge of extinction.

Irwin Cotler, Canada's Justice Minister (and one of the best Jewish speakers to be found) did it yesterday with the Aborigines of Canada, telling a story regarding an encounter he had with some lawyers in which he told them of the Jews "as an Aboriginal people."

Then, yesterday evening, you could see the same trend again, in the first video presentation of opening night. It stressed the similarities between the Jews and the Tibetans, showing photos of the (constantly) smiling Dalai Lama.

Is this Canadian multiculturalism taking hold of the Toronto GA? Is this a sign of openness and an ability of the community to look beyond its own people and its own culture? Is this - like the real attention and effort Jewish communities around America are now investing in the Darfur genocide - a sign of strength? Or is, as someone whispered in my ear yesterday, just a new, fashionable way, of saying: We are not just boring Jews, we are as interesting and unique and worth preserving, as those other, more exotic, tribes of the world.

7.

Last but not least. The Annapolis meeting is barely mentioned or discussed in the halls of this extravagantly decorated hotel (this might change Tuesday when Condi Rice comes to speak about it). Some people here think it is because the topic it too controversial for the Federations to deal with. By I think it?s a reflection of a healthy sense of doubt and skepticism. Why should they be interested in this meaningless photo-op.

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