Katie Green's gloves off

This essay, pointed out to me by my dad this time, was in the Jerusalem Post a few weeks ago.  It's addressed to the Jewish community in the UK, but it could as easily apply to the Jewish community in the US and any number of other diaspora locations.  Here's a sample.

I speak for myself and many other Israelis when I say that for us, public criticism by UK Jews is suspect. For one, your call for "openness" has escalated at exactly the same rate as the delegitimization and demonization of Israel by the British establishment. This vindictive ostracizing of Israel has resulted in an extreme lowering of comfort levels for the Jewish community, as we've agreed. But should it result in your shouting to join that vindictiveness? And if you join in, does it increase your status and respectability in British society? My feeling is that it certainly does. So you'll forgive me if I doubt the integrity of your backing the shrill accusations of the British government and media.

I actually think this discomfort is an encouraging sign that the heart and soul of British Jewry is in good working order. If British Jews were not viscerally connected to Israel, the feeling would be one of apathy or contempt, not discomfort. But they are connected.

To so many of them, Israel is precious and important. When they land at Ben-Gurion Airport, their hearts are filled with belonging.

This is something we all share, we who live here and we who come to visit. To sever us from this profound recognition and unity in our psyche, to force us to feel that we have no choice but to expunge it, is to cripple us indeed. So my suggestion to you is don't agree to be crippled. Hold your head high, take it on the chin, fight it like a lion or leave.

But please do read the rest.  And pass it on.  If I was inclined to send blast emails to "everyone I know," this would be one I'd pick.  But I'm not, so I'll settle for posting it here.

For more about Katie Green (don't you want to know?) click here.

Shabbat Shalom and a very Happy New Year to all!