I realize that in my life, I have had less of a chance to experience anti-Semitism than my elders. I do not dispute the complexity of your experience with folks ambivalent about us Jews. I do, however, dispute what seems to be your definition of Tikkun Olam. I do not think your experience with your “redneck buddies” asking you if you are “for real a Jew” in any way suggests that Jews should not engage with the community or refrain from community service and activism. We are members of the communities in which we live and, as such, have a civic duty to engage with the issues facing community residents. I agree with you that we are “not special.” In fact, I have long been troubled by the Jewish concept of chosen-ness. [I am not self-hating, but I certainly have gripes with some aspects of our religion and people.] To me, Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, is the Jewish definition of social justice. Tikkun Nafshi, meanwhile, is the equally important act of repairing the self. I don’t privilege these Jewish ideals above other secular definitions of community service and self-reflection, but I am proud that they are important elements within Judaism.

I am not self-hating. I observed my Bat Mitzvah in Israel in 2000. I worked at an organization called the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism in 2003. I traveled to Israel for 5 weeks in 2004 with the Bronfman Youth Fellowship, a program devoted to enhancing pluralistic dialogue across the various denominations of Judaism. I served as an officer in my temple youth group as Social Action Vice-President, President, and President ex-officio during my high school years. In the summer of 2006, I worked at the DC-based Foundation for Middle East Peace with former Ambassador Philip Wilcox and researcher Geoffrey Aronson, an expert on Israel’s relationship with Hamas and Hezbollah. I celebrate Shabbat nearly every Friday with Ari’s family here in Providence.

I am NOT a self-hating Jew. I am proud of Judaism’s longstanding tradition of learning and dialogue. What would Judaism be without its history of self-reflection? The Talmud and Tanach are two important texts that embody this traditional reflection. Yom Kippur, the holiest day on our calendar, is devoted entirely to self-analysis, repentance, and reconciliation. I understand your point that, perhaps, we should question these matters internally. But how can we air our agenda externally but reflect only internally? Do you believe that all minority communities should limit their self-examination to conversations within the group?

And, Joe, I completely disagree with you. Tikkun Olam is NOT what inflames anti-Semitism. We are rarely criticized for good works in the community. We are more often condemned for our blank check support for Israel and our tendency to put intense economic pressure on public officials.

And as for my choice to refer to my Uncle as a Jewish lawyer, I considered it heavily before writing my post. I do feel that it is an important piece of descriptive information in explaining the circles in which these viral anti-Obama e-mails are circulating.

Cheers,
Ariel

Another odd point.

You excoriate Rep. Segal for taking an overly public stance in defending himself from inappropriate/baseless attacks from the Planned Parenthood RI staff.

Yet - you are more than willing to launch attacks publicly against fellow Jews.

It is without a doubt that the type of charges you level will be used by those who really are trying to damage Israel’s security.

Why not work within the Jewish community - quietly of course - to try to connect with those that are pushing for more peaceful coexistence with Israel’s neighbors.

There are plenty of Jews both here and Israel that believe in that direction.

Peace.

Ariel - you come close to the classic self-hating Jew.

Is there any reason to bring up the profession of your uncle - other than to reinforce classic anti-semitic stero-types of Jews?

In what way does your uncle’s career matter vis a vis his opinion.

Please try chilling a bit.

Oh, you might look into his church run by a race baiting Afro-Centrist who has no time for the evil white people. Read a few of his sermons, if you ever read anything that disagrees with you world view.