`My Israel' Intifada tests pro-Israel feelings, however U.S. Jews define it. Editor's note: This is the second in a series on the changing relationship between Israelis and American Jewry. Baltimore very week, Sheldon Berman distributes an e- mail compilation of "must-read" articles and commentaries about Israel from a variety of media outlets around the world. "Everybody's inundated with stuff to read," the Baltimore accountant said recently from behind his cluttered desk. "I try to keep it to 10 pages." Berman began distributing his e-mail newsletter about three years ago, when he and other members of his synagogue, the Orthodox Toras Chaim, decided they needed to take steps to educate their 260 member families about events in Israel. Just what does it mean to be pro-Israel in America today? How do American Jews express their ties to Israel? The questions take on added significance at times of crisis in the Jewish state, and the answers go a long way in reflecting the relationship between American Jews and Israel. The American Jewish Committee's 2003 Survey of American Jewish Opinion found that 74 percent of respondents feel very close or fairly close to Israel, and 76 percent agree that "caring about Israel is a very important part of my being a Jew." A significant 63 percent said they believe they should support the positions of Israel's elected government even if they disagree with them. But beyond survey numbers are the actions taken. One measure of support for Israel is a visit or long- term stay. Berman has visited five times in the 3 1/2years since the Palestinian intifada began. Next year, his son will study in an Israeli yeshiva. According to Brandeis University Professor Jonathan Sarna, Berman is fairly typical of the Orthodox com- munity. "There is a huge difference between the Orthodox community and others," Sarna said. "The Orthodox have by and large continued to go to Israel and to send their children to Israel." Rabbi Barry Block of the Reform Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, Texas, said his congregants are very inter- ested in Israel. Though they had shied away from Israel travel following the collapse of the peace process in late 2000, now "we're back — with a lot of excitement." This summer, six of his young congregants are going to Israel with the Reform movement's National Federation of Temple Youth. That's the same number that went in 2000, before the intifada began. Another ' 4 * 4. * 4 a * • 4 * * * 4 * 4- 4 * • 4 * 4 * 4 * N 6/ 4 2004 26 * a • * * , 4 * Y * rY "Almost no one talks about Israel," said Gerald Bubis, a prominent figure in left-of-center pro-Israel groups in Los Angeles. "Far more people just are not interested in Israel today because it is just too painful for them. I see it in intangible ways." As an example, he cited the charities chosen by chil- Disagreeing If resuming travel to Israel is a sign that Jews are adjust- dren at their bar mitzvahs. In years past, many children asked that gifts be made to Israel-related charities, he ing to the new reality of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian said, but today he sees many more choosing local caus- conflict, then a return of dissent and disagreement is es. another indicator. Still, in recent months, Bubis has noticed something Observers say that like Israelis, many American Jews of a resurgence of left-of-center voices in his communi- who care about Israel but disagree with the govern- ty. Attendance has increased at programs sponsored by ment's policies felt compelled to keep quiet during the the local Peace Now chapter and the Progressive Jewish early part of the intifada, when Israel was under con- Alliance, which promotes left-of-center views on Israel. stant attack. But recent stirrings on the political left In the small Jewish community of Eugene, Ore., show that the limits of silence are being reached in Rabbi Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin watched with alarm Israel, and American Jews who disagree with Israeli as congregants' discussions about Israel became increas- policy — or are supporting Prime Minister Ariel ingly heated. The rabbi initiated the creation of a Sharon's plan to withdraw from Gaza — also are Jewish community relations council, hoping it would speaking up. serve as a tool for internal discussions and formulation "There's more than one way to be pro-Israel," said of consensus views. But it hasn't always worked as Steve Masters, 44, a Philadelphia lawyer who was a intended. founder of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, which describes itself Some members of the community have dropped out as a pro-Israel, pro-peace and pro-human rights organi- of the JCRC or declined to join at all because they zation. feared it had a left-wing bent. Others have stayed away Since its founding in April 2002, Brit Tzedek has for the opposite reason, fearing it toes the Israeli gov- advocated dismantling Israeli settlements in the West ernment line. Bank and Gaza Strip and pushing Israel's leaders to be Recently, JCRC members planned to write an opin- more forthcoming in peace negotiations. ion column about Israel's West Bank security barrier When Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met for the local newspaper. When they couldn't agree on a President Bush in Washington last month, Brit Tzedek delivered to the two leaders a petition signed by 10,000 position even after lengthy debate, the op-ed was shelved, and they turned their attention to issues on American Jews calling for the Israeli government to which they could agree, such as working with local offer financial incentives to settlers who relocate into schools to create a Middle East curriculum free of bias. Israel proper. Masters maintains that the group's positions are embraced by many Israelis. "I distinguish between sup- Other Issues port for Israel and support for Israel's government," he The disagreements in a small community like Eugene said. seem tame compared to the scene in San Francisco. Another founder of Brit Tzedek, Marcia Freedman The director of the region's JCRC, Doug Kahn, noted of Berkeley, Calif., accuses the organized Jewish com- that thousands of local Jews can be counted on to munity of stifling dissent on Israel. She says the old mobilize around Israel-related issues, but he is worried joke about two Jews having three opinions is no longer by the large number who simply have "moved on" to accurate. "Now you get 10 Jews, one allowed opinion. other issues or causes. Everything else is traitorous," she said. He said the collapse of the Israeli left has caused "It's intimidating to be told, 'You're threatening Israel many on the left in his community to step back from by saying that.' If you're told that what you're saying is their pro-Israel activities. "It has been a challenge to dangerous, you start being quiet." keep them engaged," Kahn said, adding that a relative- Some community leaders have dismissed such gripes ly small number have become pro-Palestinian activists. as unfounded, arguing that there simply are fewer dis- The real problem is long-term, he said, and it didn't senting voices because so many American Jews per- start in the last few years: He points to the 1982 ceived that even Israel's most generous peace offers Lebanon War as the beginning of a period in which elicited a belligerent Arab response. many American Jews grew disillusioned with Israel. Some Jews seem to be simply turning away from Israel rather than wrestling with the difficult issues. congregant is going to Israel on a high school study program. Last year none went, and the previous year there was only one. CARL SCHRAG Jewish Telegraphic Agency .