Interesting. "Jewish American Heritage Month" id already failing because reform leaders are ruining it and orthodox leaders don't care. For example, in a perfect world, Jared Kushner would be honored for making peace in the Middle East. I live in the real world where his nomination would be extremely divisive. However, RBG is taking pride of place as an historical figure, despite the orthodox and right wing Jewish backlash against her memory being honored in a "temple." The woman is famous for ruling against religious liberty. So, she is an anti-Semite. Reform leaders would like that. They agree with her because they hate real Jews. I'm a big believer in Jewish outreach. Every "cultural Jew" is a potential BT. I'm talking about their leadership.
They're also showcasing Bob Dylan. He doesn't exactly scream Jewish heritage appreciation. Some reform outfit sent me Adam Sandler's Hanukah song when I was in college and wanted to know what I think. What I think is that Adam Sandler's Hanukah songs are an insult. None of the celebrities he lists represent Jewish values in any way or ever do anything for the community. We're not impressed with money, fame, glitz and glamor. This is where Jewish establishment leaders fail consistently. A rabbi memorably slut-shamed Sarah Silverman. It should be obvious that he was expressing what is the majority viewpoint. I'm not mad at her, I just find her shtik annoying. Nonetheless, Sarah Silverman took the opportunity to campaign inside the Jewish community for Barack Obama, as if Jews are running out and voting how Sarah Silverman tells us to. Oh, btw, on information and belief, Barack did not get 70% of the Jewish vote.
The attitude is always the same from the Jewish establishment. They don't know their audience. We're not kids, groupies, or media whores who are impressed with "stars" just because they're technically ethnically Hebrew. It's a staggeringly ignorant marketing hook. Jewish communal leadership needs to be usurped. They are selling us down the river.
Interesting. "Jewish American Heritage Month" id already failing because reform leaders are ruining it and orthodox leaders don't care. For example, in a perfect world, Jared Kushner would be honored for making peace in the Middle East. I live in the real world where his nomination would be extremely divisive. However, RBG is taking pride of place as an historical figure, despite the orthodox and right wing Jewish backlash against her memory being honored in a "temple." The woman is famous for ruling against religious liberty. So, she is an anti-Semite. Reform leaders would like that. They agree with her because they hate real Jews. I'm a big believer in Jewish outreach. Every "cultural Jew" is a potential BT. I'm talking about their leadership.
They're also showcasing Bob Dylan. He doesn't exactly scream Jewish heritage appreciation. Some reform outfit sent me Adam Sandler's Hanukah song when I was in college and wanted to know what I think. What I think is that Adam Sandler's Hanukah songs are an insult. None of the celebrities he lists represent Jewish values in any way or ever do anything for the community. We're not impressed with money, fame, glitz and glamor. This is where Jewish establishment leaders fail consistently. A rabbi memorably slut-shamed Sarah Silverman. It should be obvious that he was expressing what is the majority viewpoint. I'm not mad at her, I just find her shtik annoying. Nonetheless, Sarah Silverman took the opportunity to campaign inside the Jewish community for Barack Obama, as if Jews are running out and voting how Sarah Silverman tells us to. Oh, btw, on information and belief, Barack did not get 70% of the Jewish vote.
The attitude is always the same from the Jewish establishment. They don't know their audience. We're not kids, groupies, or media whores who are impressed with "stars" just because they're technically ethnically Hebrew. It's a staggeringly ignorant marketing hook. Jewish communal leadership needs to be usurped. They are selling us down the river.
I believe we are in the same Substack Go group, starting tomorrow. Reason enough to enjoy your perspective as an agnostic living in Vancouver, Canada!
Looking forward to your insightful and experienced writing.
Best of luck in this new endeavor. Looking forward to the kind of reporting and analysis that made your years at the Jewish Week so successful.