Jewish Identity Plan Raises Ire of non-Orthodox Jews in U.S.

[Israeli]

Anger sparked by Israel’s decision to fund mainly Orthodox organizations in new project to 'strengthening Jewish identity and the connection with Israel' among university students around world.

Or Kashti Aug 20, 2016

Leaders of the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements in North America are up in arms at Israel’s decision to task mainly Orthodox organizations with “strengthening Jewish identity and the connection with Israel” among university students around the world.

The two movements, as well as another major United States Jewish organization, apparently were not invited to present their activities on campuses or to submit their candidacies for the project.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Reform Movement in North America, said the decision “continues the Orthodox monopoly in Israel and extends it to the Diaspora. This is unacceptable to the large majority of Jews here. We don’t like being told how to strengthen our Jewish identity.”

The Diaspora Affairs Ministry said at the beginning of this week that it had launched the first stage of a comprehensive project to strengthen the ties between Israel and Jews living abroad. The program, to be introduced in hundreds of universities worldwide this year, will cost an estimated 250 million shekels ($65.6 million), one-third of which – approximately 80 million shekels – will be paid out of the state budget, with the rest coming from Jewish groups and philanthropists.

read more: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.737608

[Ford_Prefect]

1. Here we go again. One more step in the plan to perfect the religious nation.

I'm reminded of when Neo-Confederate Cory Burnell, founder of Christian Exodus, enunciated the plan to have RW evangelicals move to South Carolina turning the state into a promised land for conservative Christians.

"We're not an extremist group," he said. "What we are doing is reacting to the extreme marginalization of Christianity in America."

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-02-21-christian-movement_x.htm

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2004/neo-confederate-cory-burnell-advocates-south-carolina-succession

[6chars]

2. Yep. The ayatollahs at Hillel are going to brainwash another generation.

Wait, Hillel? ok.

The three groups funded are Hillel, Olami (of the conservative movement)
and Chabad - which is more religious but inclusive in its orientation unlike some other traditional orthodox branches.

If you go to campuses, these are the organizations you will see. If Israel wants to connect with Jewish students on campuses, these are the organizatoins that will reach them. I guess there are also "Jewish students against Israel" chapters but I can see why Israel wouldn't fund them.

Seems like concern trolling from Haaretz.

[Mosby]

3. what does this have to do with the Arab/Israeli conflict?

[Israeli]

4. Everything Mosby .....

....if you are of the opinion that the biggest obstacle to peace today is the occupation and the settlement movement and that the largest support for our religious Right wing settlers both financially and politically comes from America.

[Mosby]

5. I think the occupation/settlements are a red herring

There won't be peace until the Arabs accept the existence of Israel. Right now that's not the case, just look at how your fellow citizens were treated in Rio, not only were they disrespected repeatedly but the Arab countries involved denied all responsibility (like always) and instead came up with child-like excuses for their behavior.

[Israeli]

6. I dont Mosby ....

....there wont be peace until we end both .

So I guess we have to agree to disagree .....