A pretty devastating indictment (or is it actually a challenge?) directed to American Jews in last week's Jerusalem Post by Amotz Aza-El:
What, then, do Middle Israelis want from American Jews, if not their money? Frankly, at this point in its history, they think American Jewry should focus on making more American Jews.
SOME AMERICAN Jews - many in fact - no longer care about their own Jewishness and Israel's vulnerability. To them, we calmly wave goodbye as they sail into the sunset; they have made a conscious choice and, much as we lament it, we must also respect it. Our plea goes to those who do care.
To them we say, don't make Rabbi Rosenheim's mistake; don't just look at your immediate circle, whether it be in your block, synagogue, Hillel, JCC, Hadassah chapter or AIPAC parlor meeting. Scan what transcends your horizon - coast to coast and century to century. Think of your ancestors who came to America materially destitute but Jewishly rich, at least compared with their descendants, who can't even read a Hebrew character, let alone cite a verse from Genesis, not to mention the Mishna, Talmud, Rashi, Maimonides, Bialik or Agnon. If I were to meet one of our mutual ancestors from the shtetl, I would find a common cultural language with him. Would you? And if you would, would your cousins, children, and grandchildren?
[ ... ]
Today, with Israel prospering but threatened while US Jewry dwindles, the imperative is to spread Judaic literacy among adults in North America, to launch programs like birthright israel for young adults, to reduce tuition in Jewish day schools, kindergartens and summer camps of whatever stripe, and open hundreds more of them. Such projects are the most urgent thing for American Jewry to promote, even more urgent than buying the IDF another tank, submarine or warplane. They are also cheaper.
Middle Israelis are not out to bicker with the Diaspora; they care for it no less than it cares for itself. Yet as they face an annihilation threat not unlike the one the Diaspora underestimated once before, they must remind US Jews that in case calamity befalls the Jewish state, Jewish America will be tasked with restoring the Jewish people. And judging by its current condition - American Jewry may not be up to the task.
A little alarmist? Over the top? Maybe. Let's consider it a wake-up call. Every one of us can do a little bit every day to reverse this tide. If you're reading this blog, you probably already are. Read a book, take a class, study the week's Torah portion at home if you don't go to synagogue and, most of all, pass the gift of your knowledge on to others -- to friends, children, siblings, nieces and nephews. That's truly a gift that keeps on giving.
