Israel's relationship with American Jews has changed

For centuries one big reason gentile nations did not want us was the fact we, though scattered, were called "Israel: we had a separate national pride even though we had no land of our own. This pride came from our training in the home and Hebrew school in the morning before secular school. That is gone now and we are losing our identity.

Hey buddy, let them decide what they want to do with their lives. If they have decided this is the best for them and their families, they are probably wise enough to have come to this conclusion and probably nothing will change their minds, not even your better economy than USA's.

I may not be a Jewish person but on be half of thousand and thousands of people here in America still back and stand with Isreal, the holy ground of our Lord to come. Don't listen to polls and apparently our government. This administration is not speaking what we are saying to them. Whats going on here is not what the majority of us want. They are pushing it on us and is making alot of us so angry. I know this is alittle of subject, but I read and see the things going on and want all jews to know that we are here and still with you, God Bless you all, Toni

Mariska "First of all I live in the USA" Mariska, your slip is showing. Is it so hard to actually say that you are American? Is it because you are jewish first and American second? Why don't you go and live in your beloved Israel and bestow your praises on your beloved Prime Minister, Bi Bi? I find it offensive that an american of convenience like yourself could lie about OUR President.

A lot of Israelis choose to live outside Israel for economic and other purposes. Some because the job market at home is too crowded and looking for a better opportunity in other countries and to come back to Israel at a later time. Ethiopian and Russian jews who find it harder to compete in Israel in terms of the job market might decide to do the same thing. Americans can always make aliyah and see for themselves what they can do in Israel. Paying money so that other jews will be in their stead in Israel seems quite comfortable for some.

Israel conveys the image the purpose of the American Jew is to be relieved of his money and shut up. Also, at every turn there seems to be an Israeli leader involved in major scandal and/or disgusting conduct. Also, too many Israelis show up in the US and they too convey the sense of being takers. It is hard to give money to a country filled with very rich people, an imbalance in taxes and one third still living in poverty when it is clear the Israeli population and government is doing not that much to fulfill its obligation to so many of its people. Let some of the billionaires be properly taxed. Let the taxation be less regressive, and, let it become a nation of fewer tax dodgers.

Doesn't the fact that Israel sold extremely sensitive information Pollard gave it to the USSR bother you? Is that the kind of thing an "ally" would do?

very well put

The wrong group is the American Jew..about 5.5 million or 2.5% of the poulation. The right group is the entire US population..middle class Americans...taxpaying Americans..Americans who are tired of no peace in the middle East. That's the group...voters who can counter balance the political clout of AIPAC. It's happening, now! The politcal power of the unfied jewish vote is no longer a big thing except for maybe new jersey. Political contributions from jews are way down. The clout is no longer there.

I've been asking on my posting the question: Why does the USA need Israel more than Israel needs the USA? My Dear Solomon, you answered that technology, research and defense is "heads and shoulders above the USA..." That superior technology point falls short because: in some fields Israelis have made break-throughs and in other areas the USA has the break-throughs. USA defense technology is clearly superior--that's a huge portion of US Aid to Israel is defense arms. Dan Senor wrote a book about bussiness start-ups in Israel which i beleive is true and is impressive, but thechnology is bought and sold so there is tansfer (for compensation). The USA did the Manhattan project and the national laboratories that resulted is a "brain trust of talent" that no other country has ever assembled. Bottom line: America doesn't need Israel. And you should learn that there are many middle class americans very upset with Israel draining USA money and "dancing" on the issue of peace

Most Jewish families in America will not be Jewish in another generation or two. Only the Orthodox will be Jewish.

You are right. Pollard proves US and Israel are not allies. For 60 years US has provided Israel political, economic and military support totaling, since 1948, over $3 trillion,and sacrificed its own national interests in the Middle East to support Israel's. And what has the US received in return? In 1967 Israel attacked and tried to sink a US ship.The FBI announced Israel is the 2nd most aggressive nation in hostile espionage operations in the US. China is 1st. It violates international law. US, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Israel have an agreement not to spy on each., Only Israel violates the agreement. The US has caught,tried and convicted spies from Russia, China, Cuba and Israel. Pollard passed approx a million US documents to Israel. He also tried to sell US classified documents to South Africa and Pakistan. Pollard will stay in prison for life because is a traitor, and anyone who praises and supports him is an enemy of the US. So is the country that recruited him.

It is quite telling that in your expressions of your great pride in the accomplishments of Israel, and rightly so, there is no consideration of conscience, nor sense of immorality, no reference to human decency, no compassion, no concern for Israeli depriving an entire Palestinian population of human dignity, economic well being and a safe and secure life. Forty-two years of a harsh and humiliating occupation and a near genocidal blockade of 1.4 million Gazans doesnt even appear to enter your thought process. That tells me more about Israel than all of your examples of attributes to be found in Israel living as a Jew. No thanks.

Doesn't the fact that the "ally" sold critically sensitive information to the Soviets show you why giving such information to ANYONE is dangerous to our national security? Or does the fact that the information helped Israel outweigh the harm it did to the US in your estimation?

Maybe if Israeli schools, employers and neighborhoods associations stop discriminating against Ethiopian Jews, they would be more inclined to see a bright future stay put in Israeli. Ethiopian Jews have died in terrorist attacks and given their lives serving in Israeli military. If that's not enough for equality, then no future exists for them in that society.

I have lived in both USA and ISrael. Your proto zionist to hell with the diaspora rant is pretty funny. Tell your self denials to the hundreds of thousands of Israelis living abroad. The issue of aliyah is a red herring used to divert attention to those Israelis abroad who are a brain drain. As a Jew in America I have freedom of religion that As a non-ortho Jew I do not have in Israel. THe politics in USA are a bit more responsive to me an average voter vs. the corruption and political chicanery done in ISrael. Safer place....yes and no....As far as american inner cities, no orthos bombing gay dances/bars....hmmm. My goal is not to trash israel, i love her and spend as much time there as I can....but your comments are a joke on yourself...wake up buddy. THe vision of leadership in ISrael "m'dardeah"...ben Gurion himself said after the 6 day war....'get out of the west bank, it is a swamp that will suck us in..." and so it has above all...and the rot sucks out ISrael's morality.

The article says, "Some community activists feel betrayed by the "new yordim" - the growing community of Ethiopian Jews who have wandered from Israel to New York. "We paid to bring you to Israel, and you fled here?" they accuse them." This quote by the so called activists is shocking and out right racist! It is the Israelis and the Russians who are leaving Israel for better life. In fact, the Ethiopian will have a genuine case to apply for a refugee status based on discrimination that is taking place in all corners of Israel. Shame ... Shame ... Shame The American Jewry should not be sending any funds to Israel until Ethiopians are taken care of.

Israel should think LONG and Hard about Hussein Obama. No one in the States has any real fact base about his personal history since he was a kid. He has a legion of lawyers protecting his personal history, writings and other telling documents and it is for a reason. I say Hussein Obama is a Muslim! Having observed him in his actions and speech, and his intense hiding behavior, I can come to no other conclusion. He has practically admitted it, stating to the effect of "if Islam was really in trouble, I could not turn my back..." Not a quote he likes repeated! The U.S. is just as bad, no one wants to call him out on his favoritism and history regarding Islam and Arabs. The writing is on the wall! He claims Christianity but ignores and refutes so many Christian bedrock beliefs, it is like he has never opened a Bible. If we all started calling him a Muslim he would have a very difficult time trying to refute that fact...

welfare from America for the past 40 years? US Jews don`t get it. The tables have been turned and it is they that need help from Israel, not the other way round. Israel is head and shoulders above the US in technology, research, and defense. America seems on top because it has 336 million people (Israel has 7 million). On a per capita basis Israel outpaces the USA far and away. Pleas estop leeching odfff of us and semonstrate what you claim.

Jewish culture in diaspora is not about reality shows. But what about Tikkun Olam, that the Israelis don't even talk about? How about the religious pluralism and tolerance that the Israeli rabbis have long forgot about? American Jews can also teach Israelis a thing or two even about Judaism.

All who know me will attest to my vehement anti-zionism, but I also believe in being fair. Perhaps US neocons did push us into the war in Iraq, but actually, the zionist regime in "Israel" advised the US government against involvement in Iraq. Perhaps the zionist motives for this advice were nefarious, but I have no evidence to prove or disprove that view.

US Jews don't get it. The tables have been turned and it is they that need help from Israel, not the other way round. Israel is head and shoulders above the US in technology, research, and defense. America seems on top because it has 336 million people (Israel has 7 million). On a per capita basis Israel outpaces the USA far and away. The question US Jews ought to ask themselves is whether they really believe they are safe, for the long term, in the USA. If you think this is a crazy remark, try reading the accounts of Albert Einstein, Max Born, and even Fritz Haber in the early 1930's. They were as convinced that Germany was the place for them forever as American Jews today. And they were educated people. Very educated. Before the US economy totally tanks and everyone turns on the Jews there, a smart US Jew will get over to Israel, find a job, and get settled. Don't wait.

News of the criminal trial for an alleged 9/11 perpetrator reminds me that Jonathan Pollard got no trial -- just an open plea "bargain" followed by a life sentence. The alleged 9/11 person is set for a fair trial; the fair trial not granted Pollard. Pollard's ongoing incarceration should, I think, be troubling to people who believe in justice. Would, say, a American caught giving secrets to Britain be in prison for life. I don't think so. I don't think someone giving an ally informatiion without authorization would get more than a slap on the wrist. Pollard should be proof that Israel and the US are not really allies. And now, I sense that after his death in prison, the Pollardphobes will demand his remains stay behind bars. Wonder where Bibi is on this and,, say, Haaretz?

Its obvious that he is supporting the Muslim community and countries, it is proven by sending our troups to Afghanistan from Iraq but not giving more troups to get the job completed. What does that tell you!? ** First of all, the war in Iraq was conducted at the behest of Israel and the urging of the neocons These same entities are now pressuring Obama to send more troops into Afghanistan (and to make a preemptive attack on Iran). In neither case has Israel sent troops to Iraq or Afghanistan. If you were eligible, would you volunteer to serve in Afghanistan or Iraq?

My ethnic background is Jewish and I am so proud of my family history. I am a great supporter of Israel and know in the bible that Israel is where we should be when it is time for the judgement. I back Israel 100%. We should support them and help them when they call on us but when you have a Muslim President do you expect him to support Israel?- Mariska in the USA I am an American. Unlike you I do not believe that this is the United States of America and Israel. I would expect that Muslim American consider America? interests and not be swayed by Islamic religious issues in what is a religious war. BTW, the Bible is not a legal document. American Jews should do the same. If they cannot they do not belong here. Israel has been a financial and political liability. How any American can support Israel in its land expropriation and displacement of the indigenous people from those lands is a moral embarrassment. Most Americans have no interest at all in Israel. If either disappeared to be one country or there are two countries would be irrelevant to the majority of Americans. I only care about America. At least Bob is not a Pollard.

Mariska in the US, your comments about our President being a Muslim are off the mark, outrageous, and amoral to say the least. Mr. Obama is a Christian, not Muslim, and this "fear-mongering" has no place in civil debate. Get your facts together. And as Americans, it should not matter what his religion is since there is a clear separation of Church & State in our nation, compared to most nations in the world, including Israel. At issue for American Jews is whether we should continue funding Israel's defense and institutions when the Israeli Government of today has demonstrated little if no interest in settling its dispute with the Palestinians. I, for one, do not want my tax dollars spent on the current Netanyahu Government, which is hastening Israel's loss of reputation and influence in the world. Obama is treating Israel with the same degree of firmness that he is treating the Palestinians, and that is SOUND policy.

The State of Israel is becoming a Right Wing government that places more value on security than on upholding its democracy. This is the first item that disturbs us American Jews. Many Israelis sound as intolerant and bigoted as the Nazi's who discriminated against Jews. Delay tactics in withdrawing from illegal territories is scuttling any chance of peace in the Middle-East and we Americans have every right to support withholding our tax dollars supporting the intransigent policies of the current government if this continues. By the same token we will royally condemn the idiotic policies of the PA that have not helped the peace process as well. Do you folks want peace or not? As an American Jew I would hope that you do, but if it means enforcing it with outside pressure, I support that too.

First of all I live in the USA and Country without a leader. We had an election a year ago but was given a person who has no respect for our country or Israel. My feelings are that our country is being sold down the river and there will be no turning back. Kind of hard to back peddle! My ethnic background is Jewish and I am so proud of my family history. I am a great supporter of Israel and know in the bible that Israel is where we should be when it is time for the judgement. I back Israel 100%. We should support them and help them when they call on us but when you have a Muslim President do you expect him to support Israel? Its obvious that he is supporting the Muslim community and countries, it is proven by sending our troups to Afghanistan from Iraq but not giving more troups to get the job completed. What does that tell you!? As you can tell I am not and was not a Obama supporter. He has placed and our economy at risk, our country at even a greater risk!

American Jews have a long history of support for human rights in the USA. From civil rights, labor unions, social welfare and health care, they have honed a sense of responsibility for helping those least able to help themselves. Do you suppose that the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the more recent invasion of Gaza have alienated younger American Jews?

shouldn't it be the other way around? we have enough US culture in israel, survivor, dancing with stars, let these so called US jews learn Jewish culture...that goes for Israelis as well

The only place on the planet where the Jewish consciousness is guaranteed is Israel - no other place, that's it. There is no reason to believe that in the future, Jews will still be welcome in the US - highly unlikely, but not impossible.

most us jews are not religious & not nationalistic. they define themselves as american jews; not jewish americans. it makes sense that don't really relate to Israel. If you are religious then you may possibly care (although not necessarily) about the holiness & history of the jewish people in their homeland. if you are nationalistic then you may get the feeling of the national connection. but most jews in america cosider themselves american!

if Netanyahu's constant refrain of Iran being an existential threat, is making American Jews decide that their future is in the United States and not in Israel. Which perversely is more of an existential threat to Israel than Iran.

It's been a long time (50 years, more or less) since I first read Dale Carnegie's best-selling book, but I can't remember his recommending that one consistently call folks nasty names, tell them they're stupid, impugn the sincerity of their faith, etc., etc. But, like I said, it's been a long time, and I may have forgotten that chapter. (Also, what works may have fundamentally changed, and I'm just hopelessly behind the curve.)

If US Jews don't want at this point to move to Israel, there is little hope for them. Life in Israel, for a Jew, is by now far superior to the American diaspora, in terms of all the things that most people care about: good paying high quality jobs, economic opportunity, higher education, access to affordable health care, and technological prowess. As one who has lived in both places, the difference in economic opportunity is the most obvious - Israel offers today much more chance for career growth and development. And in terms of physical security, I feel far safer in Israel than walking in an American inner city. Certainly, Israel is a much safer place for kids. For the life of me, I cannot fathom why an American Jew would not move here, other than inertia, family connections, or just ignorance about what Israel has become.

Among the Jews I know the interest in and support for Israel is very strong. The same is true for my childen and thier friends. So, the observations of the author of this article simply do not match up to what I see and experience.

The last sentence in this article sums it all up. Those of us who live outside of Israel really do feel a total disconnect with Israel and Israelis. And when we do have the chance encounter with an Israeli American "yordim" the coldness is more than awkward.

In addition, there is a recession to worry about, unemployment, you know... Not to speak of Madoff.