Opinion
A MIX
Editorials are posted and archived on JNonline.us .
Dry Bones
THE BIBLE IN
ONE SENTENCE:
Editorial
A Frightening Priest
I t's
a familiar refrain: Jews control the
world of finance.
In this case, the anti-Semitic slur
drew the appropriate response: unvar-
nished condemnation.
The Greek government unequivocally
condemned a high-level Orthodox priest
for his anti-Jewish sentiments during
a television interview. During a Dec. 20
appearance on Mega TV, Greece's larg-
est television network, the Metropolite
of Piraeus Seraphim blamed the world
Jewish community for Greece's financial
problems and for other ills in the country.
The bishop also said there is a con-
spiracy to enslave Greece and Christian
Orthodoxy. And he accused international
Zionism of trying to destroy the family
unit by promoting one-parent families
and same-sex marriages.
The Greek Orthodox Church remained
mum on the renegade priest. Laudably, the
government wasn't so gutless.
A spokesman for Prime Minister George
Papandreou told the press in a statement
that while it's not the role of government
"to judge and comment on priests' state-
ments," it is the government's obligation
"to condemn the language of hatred by
whoever expresses them:'
Such expressions, the statement added,
are intolerable. "They insult Greece. They
insult our culture. They insult our very
society of which the Greek Jewish commu-
nity is an inseparable part."
That's a powerful and important state-
ment at a time when many governments
are turning away from festering anti-
Semitism within.
In a particularly wild-eyed pronounce-
ment about Jewish control of finance, the
bishop said "Adolf Hitler was an instru-
ment of world Zionism and was financed
from the renowned Rothschild family with
the sole purpose of convincing the Jews to
leave the shores of Europe and go to Israel
to establish the new Empire."
He added that Jewish bankers like
"Rockefeller, Rothschild and Soros control
the international banking system that con-
trols globalization."
It's bad enough when yet another Jew-
hater spreads venom; when a priest of
stature is the guilty party, the situation
makes you wonder who vetted his candi-
dacy for the priesthood.
V
SIMPLICITY
DON'T DO TO
OTHERS WHAT YOU
WOULDN'T HAVE
THEM DO TO YOU!
The European
Jewish Congress
called for the priest's
• ••
removal.
Said EJC President
••
Dr. Moshe Kantor in a
statement: "That they
were said so openly
THE MIDEAST
on national televi-
THE ARABS STILL
PROBLEM IN
sion demonstrates
REJECT THE UN'S
ONE SENTENCE:
that there are those
1947 CALL FOR
who feel no shame
A JEWISH STATE
expressing these
IN PALESTINE!
views in front of a
wide audience."
•
The remarks were
tow IP: 1"' a *
certainly egregious
1 :1
—mar
4
enough to warrant
kior
s
,11,1Pat -4 4
••
•
41tdir
- 4riat
the ultimate penalty
• • •
1P,
AM
•
of removal.
Meanwhile, the
DryBonesBlog.com
American Jewish
the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece,
Committee (AJC) got
Archbishop Ieronymos II: "It is the
it right in its assessment that the church
responsibility of the church leadership to
at least must distance itself from such
condemn and uproot anti-Semitism."
hate speech. As Rabbi David Rosen, AJC's
The priest's outrageous tirade deserves
international director of interreligious
no less than universal condemnation. Fl
affairs, put it in a letter to the head of
•
.
sow
_
'Anything' Doesn't Go On Campus
Washington/JTA
I
n recent weeks, Jewish student activ-
ists have confronted mock Israeli
checkpoints, opposed a student group
that wanted to raise funds to defy the Gaza
blockade and fought to keep an Israeli
hummus brand on campus.
In some instances, such efforts to dele-
gitimize Israel have even included a sprin-
kling of American Jews and Israelis.
Even if such incidents are exceptional,
should we really accept that "anything
goes" on campus? The answer is no.
In December, Hillel's Schusterman
International Center issued guidelines to
ensure that local Hillels know which orga-
nizations, groups and speakers are consid-
ered valid partners in promoting civil and
informed discourse on Israel.
Our guidelines state that "Hillel wel-
comes, partners with, and aids the efforts
of organizations, groups and speakers
from diverse perspectives in support of
Israel as a Jewish and democratic state."
We firmly state, however, that "Hillel will
not partner with, house or host organiza-
tions, groups or speakers that as a matter
of policy or practice:
• Deny the right of Israel to
exist as a Jewish and demo-
cratic state with secure and
recognized borders;
• Delegitimize, demonize
or apply a double standard to
Israel;
• Support boycotts of, divest-
ment from, or sanctions against
the State of Israel;
• Exhibit a pattern of disrup-
tive behavior toward campus
events or guest speakers or fos-
ter an atmosphere of incivility"
These guidelines already are being
utilized. The Tufts Hillel referenced them
to say no to a partnership with its local
chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine
based on the national organization's sup-
port of boycotts, divestment and sanc-
tions.
Does this mean that debate or discus-
sion among students might be stifled? Of
course not.
Among the key tenets of the document
is the principle that "Hillel welcomes a
diversity of student perspectives on Israel
and strives to create an inclusive, pluralis-
tic community where students can discuss
matters of interest and/or con-
cern about Israel and the Jewish
people in a civil manner:'
At the same time, we reject
efforts that may divide the
Jewish community on campus
over the potentially rich debate
and discussion that occurs
about Israel. We seek to engage
and educate students, not only
to prepare them to advocate
for Israel, but also to enrich
their Jewish identities with an
understanding of the centrality
of Israel to their own lives and to Jewish
civilization.
We draw strength from the long Jewish
tradition of vigorous inquiry and inclu-
sivity modeled in the Talmud. While the
Talmud includes diverse and even com-
peting views in its discussion, it certainly
does not endorse every opinion. It none-
theless models a vibrant practice of Klal
Yisrael, the united People of Israel, which
has fostered Hillel's historic commitment
to religious pluralism on campus.
At the time of its founding, Hillel reject-
ed the prevailing model of denomination-
alism, instead bringing together all Jewish
movements on campus under one roof.
We recognize the strength in a spectrum
of voices and backgrounds, and we are not
afraid to embrace a similar diversity of
political and ideological perspectives.
That being said, we also understand the
importance of creating an environment
for healthy, fair and informed exploration
and discussion. We will not tolerate those
who use foul play or misinformation to
manipulate the conversation.
Israel is no exception, and that is where
our guidelines come into the picture. No,
Hillel will not allow for "anything goes"
on our campuses. No, we will not partner
with groups that seek to abuse our open-
ness to espouse positions that undermine
the very existence of Israel as a Jewish and
democratic state with secure and recog-
nized borders.
And yes, I am confident that Hillel can
play a critical role in helping this genera-
tion of students not only develop a strong
sense of Jewish identity, but also a per-
sonal connection and commitment to the
State of Israel.
Wayne L. Firestone is president and CEO of
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.
January 6 2011
33